The Wendy’s Peterborough Phantoms are excited to be continuing our player development agreement with the Nottingham Lions into 2025/26 and can confirm the arrival of prolific young forward, Alex Rushby, on a two-way agreement.
Born in Worksop and having began in the Sheffield junior system, 16-year-old Rushby first arrived in Nottingham in 2020 to continue his development. He’s gone from strength to strength within the Nottingham set up, regularly scoring 3-4 points per game as he breezed through age-group hockey.
Last season, he notched a huge 74 points in just 13 games for Nottingham Lions’ U18’s, whilst also helping himself to 33 goals and 42 assists for 75 points for the Lions’ NIHL ! Side in his first season in the senior game - setting the new record for a points total for a player under the age of 18 in the NIHL1.
The junior development pathway formed between the Lions and the Phantoms has been a positive one, with Liam Oughton-Shaw, Kieran Gibbs and Tyler Somerton all having featured on occasions for the Phantoms alongside their responsibilities with the Lions.
Playing alongside Phantoms legend Ales Padelek and former Phantoms NIHL2 defencemen Lee Kemp and Callum Worthington-Evans, Rushby has made a real impression in his debut season and was named both the Lions’ and the NIHL1 Moralee Division’s Young Player of the Year.
The Lions will retain the first call on Rushby for the coming campaign, but he’ll feature for the Phantoms when schedules allow, in order for him to continue his development at the next available level.
Here’s what Rushby had to say on the agreement: "I’m really excited to be joining the Phantoms and taking the next step in my development. I feel that I have flourished over the last few years in Nottingham, building on my season-on-season consistent performances. I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved throughout my junior career and stepping up last season to senior hockey with the Lions, and now it’s time to push myself even further. The pathway opportunity offered by the partnership with Peterborough gives me the chance to learn from experienced players, and that was a massive influence in my decision. I’ve already learned so much from Phantoms legend Ales Padelek and I’m really grateful for his guidance both on and off the ice. He has also told me that the Phantoms fans are some of the best around, and I can’t wait to get out there and give everything I’ve got in front of them."
A Nottingham Lions spokesperson said: “Players have aspiration to move onto play hockey at a higher level. At such a young age a 16-18 year old often tries to make the step far too soon and ice time is limited as the move from NIHL level to National League is a huge which can result in players getting very limited ice time. In Nottingham we have strengthened links with the Panthers and we are in close contact with both Danny (Stewart) and Omar (Pacha) for the forthcoming season.”
“And with the partnership pathway with the Phantoms now entering its third year with Ashley (Tait) at the helm and Tom (Norton) as a group we were keen to open up early contact and both myself and Gloss have known “Ash” and Tom for many years and we knew straight away that the work that had already been started with Slava was of importance to him and the organisation.”
“We are sure Alex will flourish and with his feet firmly on the ground, playing week in week out with the Lions and working within the Phantoms team when the schedule allows will really support in taking him to the next level. He’s a huge talent on everyone’s radar. He’s being very focused and patient with his approach and we will be there to support him along the way. By no means is he the finished article and he has a lot of hard work to do both on and off the ice. He now has to apply himself further to make that next step.” The Lions’ spokesperson concluded.
And Phantoms Head Coach, Ashley Tait, was equally pleased to see off competition to secure his services: “Alex comes highly regarded and I’m looking forward to working with him. He has had interest from other clubs so it says a lot that we’ve been able to secure him on a 2 way.”
Welcome to the Wendy’s Peterborough Phantoms, Alex Rushby!