The SLS Peterborough Phantoms are pleased to announce the return of Liam Oughton-Shaw on a two-way agreement with the Nottingham Lions, whilst forward Nic Martin also joins the Lions on a two-way.
The Phantoms and the Lions have been working together over the last couple of years to provide a clear pathway through the various levels of British Ice Hockey. The partnership allows players to step up to the NIHL National level, whilst also gaining plenty of ice-time in the division below.
Oughton-Shaw has been a beneficiary of that arrangement and now rejoins the Phantoms for a third season with the Club. He iced six times for the Phantoms last season, whilst also playing an important role for the Lions - picking up 13 points in 36 games from the blue line.
Nic Martin is entering the third year of his prospect contract with the club and will now have the opportunity to ice for the Lions in order to continue his development. Nic has been splitting his time between the Phantoms NIHL National and NIHL2 sides and this agreement will see him gain some more regular minutes in NIHL1 as he takes the next steps in his career.
Here’s what Liam had to say upon signing his two-way contract: “I’m really excited and very grateful for the opportunity to continue working with the Phantoms again. I’m looking forward to getting back on the ice with the boys, continuing my development and helping the team whenever I can. See you all soon!”
Phantoms Player/Assistant Coach, Tom Norton said: "It is great that our partnership with the Nottingham Lions continues into its 4th season. It plays a vital role in giving young players from Nottingham the opportunity to experience the next level in their ice hockey journey, to see what it takes to make the step up to that next level. It also gives chances to our younger/prospect players here in Peterborough to gain valuable ice time at the NIHL 1 level, which exposes them to playing situations they might not quite be ready for at the NIHL level.
It is great to have Liam onboard on a two way. Liam exemplifies the exact attitude you want to see in a player of his age and he's been part of this partnership since it started 4 years ago. He is an exciting, young, talented defenceman with stacks of potential.
For Nic this is a great opportunity to continue his development with us at the Phantoms and fine tune his game when playing for the Lions. He’s another young player who shows all the right characteristics and hunger to develop into a great local player here in Peterborough.
Look forward to working with Matt and Gloss again at Lions and continuing the partnership with more talented players."
And Paul Glossop of the Nottingham Lions said: “It’s great to see the partnership continuing to work so well. This relationship gives players the opportunity to gain valuable training and game time experience, which is hugely important for their development.
From our point of view as a club, we know Liam is in the best hands working with Ash and Tommy (Norton) at Peterborough, while the partnership also gives Nic, who already knows Nottingham well, the opportunity to gain valuable senior game time with the Lions.
Between them, Liam and Nic already have over 200 senior appearances, with both having iced at NIHL and National League level. It’s a partnership that benefits both clubs, but most importantly gives young players opportunities to continue progressing their game.”