PHANTOMS WELCOME BACK YOUNG LOCAL FORWARD

The Wendy’s Peterborough Phantoms are thrilled to announce the return of highly rated young forward, AJ Herring, for the 2025/26 season.

The 16-year-old is still progressing through the Phantoms junior system, but has consistently put up impressive numbers during his junior career. Last season, he scored 50 points in 12 games for the Phantoms’ U16s and a further 17 points in eight games for the U18 side.

He was introduced to the senior Phantoms sides towards the end of the 2024/25 season when he turned 16, when he made his debut for the Phantoms ahead of their NIHL National playoff campaign.

But it was his performances for the Phantoms’ NIHL2 side which really showed his eye for goal, as he picked up numerous important goals for Nathan Pollard’s side, in a run which saw them complete a quadruple of trophy wins last term.

The Herring name will be a familiar one to those who have watched Peterborough hockey for a number of years, with AJ’s dad Clint playing all but one year of his own career with Phantoms’ second side. He remains an important part of our junior coaching team to this day.

And it’s now the turn of AJ to make his mark in Peterborough hockey - something he’ll be given the opportunity to do as he continues his development here in Peterborough.

Here’s what AJ had to say ahead of his first full season in senior hockey: “I’m really excited to be back with the Phantoms this year! I can’t wait to start my first full year in senior hockey. Looking forward to September and the start of the season — see you soon, Phantoms fans!”

Whilst Phantoms Head Coach, Ashley Tait, said: “It’s great to have players like AJ available to us. He’s still very young so it’s important we manage his development properly as he’s going to be an asset for years to come.”