TREVOR Gallant can't wait to get back to Manchester. . .to catch up on his sleep!

The Storm's No 1 target signed on the dotted line today. And then revealed he had been getting up at four o'clock every morning to go to work.

Gallant, Storm's player of the year last season, has been employed at the local golf course back home in London, Ontario, to keep himself busy during the summer break.

But now he can't wait lace up his skates again with the Storm.

''It's the first time I've worked in the summer and it's been a good experience so far,'' he said.

''The trouble is I've had to get up at the crack of dawn every day to go and cut the grass and do maintenance work. I've not even been able to play much golf.''

relief

Gallant's decision to return to the Storm is a huge relief to coach Daryl Lipsey because the skilful Canadian centre was a wanted man.

''There were a few things to sort out but I always wanted to come back to Manchester. I'm very happy now I've signed,'' he said.

''I'm also pleased that Daryl is in charge. It is much better to come back and work for a coach you know and that will be the same for a lot of the guys.

''I did have other options in North America and in Britain and I did consider them, but the last five years have been tough on my family. They like it in Manchester and that was another reason why we decided to come back.''

Now Gallant is hoping that Lipsey can build a team capable of bringing honours back to the Manchester Evening News Arena.

''The number one thing I would like to see for next season is that we become a team both on and off the ice.

''We had a lot of good players and skilled individuals last season. We looked good on paper but did not perform so well on the ice. We did not have the camaraderie you need.

''From my point of view I am not going to make any predictions about goals or points. Yes I do want to put some good numbers on the board but I don't want to put the pressure on.

''I'll go out and give my best for the team and take it from there.

''But I do want to win some trophies with Manchester Storm next season.''

Gallant becomes Lipsey's fourth signing and joins Steve Lyle, Pierre Allard and Kris Miller on the Storm bench.