FANS were given a glimpse of the future when four young Manchester lads iced for Phoenix.

Forwards Andy McKinney, John Murray, Jake Nurse and defenceman Max Drakeley were drafted into the squad to face Guildford Flames in the absence of four regulars away on Great Britain duty.

"What you saw on Saturday night was the future of ice hockey," said Phoenix owner Neil Morris.

"It has been a long road and it has taken a long time but at last we can see light at the end of the tunnel.

"We had six lads altogether who have come through the system and for me that is amazing.

"Adam Summerfield and Ben Wood have been playing for Phoenix all season and for four more Manchester lads to step up from the Trafford Metros squad is hugely satisfying.

"It shows we are doing things right. A lot of people could not understand why I wanted a junior development system. But what playing in the English Premier League has shown is we have the balance right. We have four quality imports with all the speed and skills but then we also have the opportunity for young players to develop.

"They need ice time to advance as players and I think you have seen that with the four lads who are away with Great Britain.

"Ask every one of them and they will say they are better players now than they were last season in the Elite League."

Morris revealed that Phoenix are forming an ice hockey academy under the Sport England umbrella.

"Tony Hand, Paul Bayliss and myself are writing a coaching manual whereby every coach at every level of the Phoenix organisation will coach the same way," he said.

"There is a lot of work involved but by the time players come through the system and reach the EPL team they will all have been coached in the same methods using the same system."

Phoenix are back in action at Slough Jets on Saturday and at home to Sheffield Scimitars on Sunday (5.30pm) in Altrincham.

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