Hornak joined Tigers in 2008

Marek Hornak signed off with two goals as he shocked Telford Tigers fans by stepping down from the team mid-season.

Hornak played in the narrow 8-7 defeat by EPL leaders Manchester Phoenix, but will now concentrate on his full-time job and part-time university studies.

"I don't like quitting," he said, before citing his heavy load of other commitments as leaving him "exhausted."

Coach Tom Watkins added: "It's a big disappointment, a massive loss for the team and he leaves a big hole to fill."

A big fans' favourite, Hornak had been enticed back to Telford for a second spell at the club last summer.

The 27-year-old Slovakian said: "I did a lot of thinking over the Christmas break, and it was a hard decision - but I am just not meeting my own expectations.

"I work all day, I'm in class three nights a week, then twice I am at the rink late at night for training, and the games at weekends.

"I've been coming to the rink tired, missing practices, falling behind in my university work. I thought I could do it all, but I am only human, not a robot.

"I don't mean this to be the end of my career - it is just this semester while I need to concentrate on my studies.

"I have been very proud to wear the Tigers jersey and I like being in Telford. Tom Watkins has been great about it and we have tried to find a way to make it work, but I need more time."

Hornak signed off with an accomplished performance in a much-improved Tigers display against Phoenix.

Just 48 hours after being thumped by Sheffield, Tigers ran the table-toppers close, leading 7-4 before Phoenix rattled in the goals in the final period.

And he added a hopeful note for Telford: "Who knows, maybe there could be a place for me on the team next year if I fit in with their plans.

"I would love to come back and we have talked through some ideas of how I can continue to help the team."

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