Goal-den boy Pliskauskas is on his way back for more

Ice hockey - Slava to coach for club and country

Lithuanian international Darius Pliskauskas is back again for Phantoms – and he is being tipped to produce more big numbers.

The 36 year-old hit 40 goals in a total of 76 points last season – his best tallies in his three full seasons to date for the club.

Pliskauskas followed coach Slava Koulikov to the city club from Slough in late 2013 and he has agreed to stay for a new era of National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) Division One South.

He will be one of the club’s two permitted imports along with another returning star, Ales Padelek.

“I am really happy to have Darius back with Phantoms again for this season,” said Koulikov.

“I have enjoyed working with him for a long time and know exactly what he will bring to the team.

“He is a smart and creative hockey player and an excellent finisher who scores and makes goals.

“His experience will be vital for us and I will be leaning on him to put big points up on the board again. I’m sure it’s a Darius Pliskauskas is coming back to Phantoms next season. responsibility he will thrive on.”

Phantoms’ squad for the new campaign is quickly taking shape. They now have four defencemen and nine forwards confirmed for 2017/18. They are still to sign a netminder following the departure of Latvian star Janis Auzins.

Hot prospects Bradley Bowering and Jarvis Hunt will step into the Phantoms fold during next season.

The young pair starred as the club’s Under 15 side to national glory last term - and also excelled at Under 18 level.

Defenceman Bowering and forward Hunt will now train with the senior side and be eligible to play in competitive fixtures once they have turned 16.

“It is great to see two of the top young players in the country move into senior hockey with Phantoms,” said coach Slava Koulikov.

“I’m looking forward to seeing their contributions in practice and then eventually in games.”

Koulikov will be coaching for club and country next season.

The Phantoms chief has been appointed as the new head coach of the Great Britain Under 20 team.

Koulikov succeeds Tom Watkins, who he has assisted for the past two seasons, in the national post and will lead the team into their World Championship event.

“I’m honoured to be given the role,” said Koulikov. “There is a lot of hard work ahead because we have set high short and long-term goals.

“I’m thankful to Tom for first bringing me into the GB programme and also to Tony Hand and the board for trusting me to become head coach.”

Hand, who is the Ice Hockey UK national development boss, described Koulikov as the ‘perfect fit’ for the position.

“Slava is very well respected within the UK game,” said Hand. “He has head coach experience at club level and knows the GB system from his time with the Under 20s in the past two years.”