A magnificent seven straight seasons for Tom

Phantoms have re-signed popular defenceman Tom Norton for a seventh straight season.

Norton originally iced for the Phantoms in the 2012/13 season before stepping up to the Elite League with the Nottingham Panthers the following year.

He returned to Peterborough ahead of the 2014/15 season and has remained a key member of the Phantoms squad ever since.

For the past three years he has also been part of Slava Koulikov’s coaching set up, assisting with the defensive side of the team.

He will continue this role in the 2020/21 season.

Norton said: “It’s great to be back for an eighth season in Phantoms’ colours.

“I think I say it ever year, but this club has become my second home and I could not envisage playing hockey anywhere else.

“I’m really excited to see what the new season brings, I can only see the league getting stronger and more competitive, so I’m looking forward to the new challenges that come our way.”

And Phantoms head coach Slava Koulikov was equally as delighted to see Norton return.

Koulikov said: “‘Nortz’ has been fantastic with his responsibilities on the ice as a player, and as a coach he’s really improved all of our defencemen, so there was no hesitation to activate the second year of his contract.

“Last summer we set out our philosophy on how we want our defencemen to play and ‘Nortz’ has done an amazing job as a coach to make sure we have achieved our goals and pushed our defence to be one of the best all round units in the league.

“‘Nortz’ professionalism has allowed him to do both roles really well and as a player he was leading by example in every game.

“He was the top scoring defenceman in the league this season with 19 goals and over 50 points.

“All of the Phantoms organisation are happy to have ‘Nortz back’ and I am looking forward to working with him for a seventh straight season.”

The annual Phantoms • end-of-season presentation night was postponed, but the club are still handing out awards.

Forward of the year was Martins Susters who has revealed he will not be at the city club next season.

Division Three East

Division Four East

Tom Norton in action for Phantoms