Guildford Flames’ defender Kevin Phillips has agreed a third season with the club.

The 31-year-old is back in the top tier as Flames make the transition from the EPL in preparation for their inaugural season in the Elite League.

The 2014 title winner with Belfast Giants says he’s looking forward to coming up against some familiar teams and thinks the Flames’ support will enjoy what lies ahead.

“It was exciting to join the Flames a couple of seasons ago – now that feeling is completely renewed to be with the club as we move up to a league where I played for many years,” said Phillips.

“It is a different pace in the Elite League that fans will really enjoy and as a group we are very much looking forward to the challenge of trying to be in the mix with the top teams in the country.”

Phillips has previously iced for Braehead Clan and the Giants, where he played alongside his brother, David, who won the play-offs with Sheffield Steelers last season.

Kevin has amassed over 450 appearances in all competitions in his EIHL, also winning the play-offs with Belfast in 2010 during his first spell there.

Flames’ boss Paul Dixon said: “Kevin is a quality signing, as we move to the Elite League . The bulk of his career has been in the top flight, so we know he will have no problem competing at that level.

“He will be an even better player at the higher level because we can ask him to play more to his strengths.

“In the EPL, the depth is much thinner in your line-up and, by necessity, we were asking him to do things that were not necessarily the best parts of his game.

“Kevin is a defensive-minded player and with the move up, we can utilise him more effectively in the situations in which he excels which will help us get the most from his experience and skill set.”

(Image permission: John Uwins)