The YKK sponsored Widnes Wild are delighted to announce the signing of netminder Phil Pearson for the 23/24 season.

Phil re-joins the Wild as an experienced, reliable goaltender, having played across multiple leagues for multiple clubs over his 12-year career. He is a familiar face to Wild fans, having first iced for the club back in the 19/20 season in NIHL D2 and also the first pandemic streaming series. Phil put up impressive stats for Widnes, having an 89.7% SA over 23 games.

He first started playing in 2011 for Flintshire Freeze and Lancashire Raptors in the ENL 2, then briefly played for the Blackburn Eagles in 2012, before joining Bradford Bulldogs the following season until 2019. Most recently, Pearson was between the pipes for derby side Deeside Dragons but also featured in the EIHL Manchester Storm squad. This helped him gain valuable experience from an elite side, which he hopes to bring forward in a Widnes jersey during the upcoming season.

Player-coach Joey Coulter said the following on Phil:

‘Widnes have a good track history of shot stoppers and that will be the case once again. Phil Pearson is no stranger and we’re very excited to have him back in black and yellow. Phil knows the league; he knows the expectations we have this season and he’s coming in ready to win hockey games. We have gone in a different direction with goaltending this season, we have a group of netminders that are all incredibly talented and want that limelight between the posts. I’m looking forward to seeing a new level of competitiveness from the back line.’

Meanwhile, Phil commented:

‘I’m really excited to be returning to Widnes for the upcoming season. When joey contacted me about signing for them, I didn’t hesitate, he’s building a very strong squad and I can’t wait to get back out on the ice in front of the Widnes fans’