Cruickshank is entering management for the first time

New Peterborough Phantoms coach Curtis Cruickshank has said he wants to bring the good times back to the club.

After completing the English Premier League treble in 2009, Phantoms struggled under Doug Irwin last season.

Cruickshank, 31, told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "Some teams may have bigger budgets, but I've got a good core of players.

"It's not like I'm not coaching a team who are never going to win a game. We want to win everything."

Cruickshank has spent the past seven seasons playing as a netminder in the Elite League, most recently with the Nottingham Panthers.

He decided to move into coaching after missing the entire 2009-2010 season with a knee problem.

"Last season I chose to have some work done on one of my knees, so I didn't have the chance to play any hockey," he said.

"I could still play well, but I'll be here strictly in a coaching capacity and this is a great chance to learn and further my career."

Cruickshank has already signed three players for next season with netminder Stephen Wall, defenceman James Hutchinson and forward Tom Carlon now on the books.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version