MANCHESTER Phoenix head coach, Tony Hand, has secured his first international summer signing with the acquisition of experienced Finn Jaakko Hagelberg.

The 26-year-old left winger hails from Tampere, Finland, but his position on the ice seems irrelevant as he is able to play in any position, his versatility as a player being a key element when the Phoenix management set out for his signature.

Hagelberg has played more than 170 games in the SM:liiga with Tappara and Lukko and last season he recorded 14 points in 32 games with Finnish second tier side Leki Lempaala.

Meanwhile in two previous seasons in the German Bundesliga he scored 25 goals and chipped in with 38 assists.

Phoenix fans may now know who is to play up on the infamous Phoenix top line which has produced so many great scoring tandems with player/coach Hand.

With Swedish sniper Johan Molin, Italian-Canadian Joe Tallari and last years phenomenal David Beauregard having all had great seasons with Tony Hand on the top line, perhaps Hagelberg will be the one to fit into this continuing equation.

This signing news comes on the back of Elite League team Coventry Blaze announcing the signing of Luke Fulghum, last seasons third member of the Phoenix number one line and Hagelberg could be the player to replace Fulghum if not the influential Beauregard.

Phoenix owner,Neil Morris, acquired another signature just last week as former Manchester Storm marketing expert Dave Biggar agreed to join the club after spending the last nine years in North America.

Biggar comes the Phoenix after providing his skills to the owners of the world-renowned Madison Square Garden whilst working with NHL side New York Rangers and AHL outfit Hartford Wolf Pack.

Now, Biggar has set out to make Altrincham based Manchester Phoenix his next project as the club look for further ways to boost attendances even though the club has decided to drop to the English National League for the forthcoming ice hockey season.