PHANTOMS APPOINT TAIT AS HEAD COACH!

After interviewing a number of candidates from UK, Europe and North America, the Wendy’s Peterborough Phantoms are delighted to announce the appointment of a legend of British hockey, Ashley Tait, as the club’s new Head Coach.

The 49-year-old former Great Britain International is one of the most decorated players in the history of ice hockey in the UK and signs a multi-year deal to become the new Head Coach of the Phantoms.

Tait began his junior career in Nottingham, whilst also spending time in Canada with the Lac St-Louis Lions. In the same season as he made his Great Britain U18 debut, he began to establish himself with the Nottingham Panthers in the BHL - scoring three points in his opening ten games at the top level of British hockey at the time.

From there, Tait went from strength to strength in Panthers colours, progressing quickly into a key member of their roster and also making his senior Great Britain debut.

He went on to make over 1000 career appearances for the Panthers, Kingston Hawks, Coventry Blaze, Sheffield Steelers, Ritten/Renon (Italy), Milton Keynes Lightning, Belfast Giants and the Basingstoke Bison.

Tait iced for Great Britain over 100 times, in an international career which saw him lead the side as captain, and regularly form part of the National Team’s leadership group as an assistant captain.

Considered a legend by multiple clubs he played for, Tait began his coaching career in 2011/12, when he took on the role as Player/Assistant Coach at the Steelers. But it wasn’t until 2016/17 when he took up his next coaching role - a similar post with the Coventry Blaze.

He was named the Head Coach of the Basingstoke Bison ahead of the 2018/19 season and was also Director of Hockey at the Hampshire club. In 2018/19, he was named as the NIHL1 South Coach of the Year.

His most recent coaching post was as an Associate Coach with the Berkshire Bees last term, where Tait bench coached Dominik Gabaj’s side whilst Gabaj focused on his playing responsibilities.

And now, he’ll become the Peterborough Phantoms’ new Head Coach ahead of the 2025/26 season!

Ashley Tait on his appointment as the new Head Coach of the Wendy’s Peterborough Phantoms said: “I was as surprised as anyone by the changes announced and flattered to be considered for the role. I’m really excited to be joining the club and looking forward to working with a very talented group of players.”

You can hear Ashley’s first interview as Phantoms’ Head Coach over on our YouTube channel!

Jon Kynaston, Phantoms Director, said the following on the appointment of Tait: “We are delighted to have Ashley on board and look forward to working with him. His extensive experience and successes are outstanding, he has a great knowledge of our league, the teams and players which we felt was important. As a coach Ashely’s teams are always organised and high compete and when we have come up against him, we have recognised this.

“The environment and culture we have been building at our club for the last 15+ years is important to us and we aim to build upon this and finding a Head Coach who married well with this was a key factor for us. Ashley brings fresh thoughts and ideas but is aligned to our values of commitment, passion and an ‘all in’ approach to competing. We welcome Ashley to our Phantoms family.” Kynaston concluded.