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| Phil & Emma Pearson 2019 – Photo by Hannah Walker |
The Widnes Wild NIHL team have re-signed netminder Phil Pearson for the forthcoming 2024/25 Moralee Division season.
The 37 year old goalie returns for what will be his 4th season in Widnes colours, having originally joined the club for the 2019/20 Covid curtailed Laidler Division season
He was Head Coach of the Widnes Wild women’s team that won the Division 2 North championship in the 2019/20 season and was part of the Wild team that won the “behind closed doors” North 21 Cup and Division 1 National Championship in 2021.
Pearson made the headlines twice more during the 2019/20 season. In December 2019, his wife – Wild women’s captain Emma Pearson - played on the same Wild team making them the first married couple to play together in a competitive NIHL match and in February 2020 he was named player of the Month for the Laidler Division.
Phil has played for a number of clubs in his 13 year senior career, notching up over 170 appearances, with stints at Flintshire Freeze, Lancashire Raptors, Blackburn Eagles, Bradford Bulldogs and Deeside Dragons, as well as 4 years of university hockey with the Manchester Metros.
Last season, he played 10 games for the Wild, facing 338 shots and achieved a 85.80% Save Percentage.
Wild NIHL Player Coach Tom Jackson said of Pearson:
“Philip has been around the team for a number of years now with a short holiday in between, he’s a dependable guy who I hope will be a mentor to the younger goalies around the team. It’s a pleasure to secure his services for another season and if he is needed I know he can step in and can be depended on.”
Talking about his return to the Wild, Phil said:
“I’m looking forward to getting going for the new season. When TJ contacted me asking me to re sign it was a no brainer. Last season wasn’t the best for the team, so I’m hoping we can put it right this season with some impressive performances. I have been working hard in the off season so will hopefully hit the ground running when the new season starts.”
