MANCHESTER, UK - MANCHESTER Phoenix will once again be without top scorer Ed Courtenay as they head into this weekend's English Premier League programme.

The 42-year-old is back in Canada after attending an interview which means he won't be back for the home double-header against Sheffield (Saturday 7pm) and Bracknell (Sunday 5.30pm).

It is well known that the former San Jose Shark – who has scored 98 points this season – came to play for Phoenix because of his close relationship with player-coach Tony Hand.

He retired last season after icing for Newcastle Vipers in the Elite League.

But it looks now as if he has called time on his career in the region although the club has refused to comment on whether that is the case.

A club official told Prohockeynews.com that Courtenay wouldn't be available for the weekend's fixtures and that further information on his future would be given in the match programme.

The mystery surrounding the player's absence is a blow to Hand who may well also be without forward Stephen Wallace who is trying to recover from an ankle injury.

That means he will once again have to shuffle his lines with Adam Walker and Jaakko Hagelberg having to step up to provide Courtenay's firepower.

Phoenix are currently in fifth in the league, one point behind Basingstoke Bison in fourth and a further two from Guildford in third place.

A double-winning weekend would enhance the possibility of a match up against Peterborough Phantoms in the playoffs, or a tricky clash with the Bison.
 
To contact the author email mike.appleton@prohockeynews.com