Peacock to ruffle rivals’ feathers for third season

Trio returns to bolster squad

Braehead Clan have confirmed the return of British trio Craig Peacock, Matt Haywood and Zach Sullivan as they gear up for the 2018/19 season.

New head coach Pete Russell is in the midst of rebuilding the Renfrewshire side after taking the reins from the outgoing John Tripp at the end of last season.

Russell had already confirmed the signings of Scott Pitt and the Swede Gerald Hanson for next season.

Peacock, 29, joined the Clan back in 2016 from the Belfast Giants, with the Great Britain international heading into his third season at Braehead Arena.

Haywood, 27, was a member of the Clan’s inaugural roster in 2010/11 and has gone on to play over 400 games in front of the Purple Army.

Meanwhile Sullivan, 23, joined the Clan in 2015 from the Basingstoke Bison and was a member of the Great Britain team that won the World Championships in Budapest last month as part of a side also coached by Russell.

And the new gaffer revealed that he is pleased to have nailed down the trio for another year of action ti at tB Braehead h dA Arena.

Russell said: “I am delighted and very excited to have three very good returnees in the shape of Craig, Matt and Zach.

“All three bring something very different but will continue to play big parts in their own roles within the team, on and off the ice.

“These three Great Britain internationals are important to our structure, vision and future of the Clan.”

But there has also been some outgoings at the Clan, with British B iti h forward f dB Bari iM McKenzie K i being told that he will be released ahead of next season.

MacKenzie will therefore not be back for a fourth season with the Clan.

The 31- year- old forward joined the team in 2015 from the Dundee Stars and went on to play nearly 200 games for the club.

“It was a very difficult decision to let Bari go after three seasons with the organisation. We wish him all the very best for the future,” confirmed Russell.