PHANTOMS’ GOALIE LINEUP IS CONFIRMED!

The Wendy’s Peterborough Phantoms are pleased to confirm our goalie line up for 2025/26, with Ryan Bainborough and Luke Clark joining Hayden Lavigne in the goaltending department. The two goalies will rotate in the Phantoms lineup, with the other taking the start for the NIHL2 Phantoms side.

Ryan Bainborough is no stranger to hockey in Peterborough, with the 32-year-old playing his entire junior career in the city. He played for the Slough Jets, Chelmsford Chieftains, Oxford City Stars and London Raiders between 2010-2016, before arriving back in Peterborough in 2017 with the NIHL2 side.

He joined the senior Phantoms the year after, forming a strong partnership with fellow goalie, Jordan Marr, in a time which saw him play his part in Phantoms’ Autumn Cup, South Cup, South Playoff and NIHL Cup winning teams.

He rejoined the NIHL2 Phantoms for 2023/24, where he finished with the best save percentage in the NIHL2 with 93.3%.

Ryan said: “Once again, really excited to be back with the Phantoms. Even though I took last year off from playing, I still found myself training regularly with the team — it’s hard to stay away from the game and the group. I’ve missed being around the guys, and I’m looking forward to being fully involved this season. I’m also excited to take on more of a mentoring role with the younger goalies coming through the ranks. Hopefully, we can put ourselves in a strong position to compete for silverware again like we’ve done in recent seasons.”

Clark’s career to-date has mirrored Bainborough’s in some ways. The 22-year-old played his junior hockey in Peterborough, before a spell with the Haringey Huskies and further appearances for Raiders’ second side, Chelmsford and Milton Keynes.

He split his time in 2024/25 between Phantoms’ two teams and was instrumental in the Phantoms NIHL2 treble victory, producing a sublime pair of performances at the NIHL2 Playoff Finals Weekend as Nathan Pollard’s side returned with the trophy.

Luke said: “I’m really happy and excited to back for another season. Playing in Peterborough is something very special to me having grown up in the rink, it’s an honour to be asked to wear the Phantoms colours.”

Both goalies will represent both sides in 2025/26, with Bainborough registering with the NIHL2 Phantoms, but rotating with Clark, enabling him to play invaluable extra minutes as he continues his development.

Phantoms’ Head Coach, Ashley Tait, said the following on the agreement: “Having two capable back ups is definitely a plus, and being able to give Hayden a rest when necessary is going to help as the season progresses. I fully expect them to push each other along and that competition is good for us.”

And Phantoms’ NIHL2 Player Coach, Nathan Pollard, said: ““It’s great to have two top-calibre netminders available to us this season. Ryan and Luke have both been standout performers in NIHL2 and will only continue to develop with the time they spend with the first team. Ryan was outstanding for us in his first season before taking a break, and Luke - alongside Vinnie - was instrumental to our success last season!”