5) Luke Boothroyd [2008-present]
69GP 0G 8A 56PIM
Coming into the team from Hull and unheralded by most, Boots established himself as a premier British defenceman at the age of 22. He never looked out of place alongside Kenton Smith on the Phoenix's top pairing and learnt an awful lot as the season progressed, solidifying himself as an outstanding shutdown defenceman and one of our country's brightest prospects. We expect him to be a dominant force in the EPL.
4) Scott Basiuk [2006-2008]
112GP 15G 51A 206PIM
Despite leaving Manchester under various circumstances depending on who you talk to, Captain Canada gave two very difficult years to the club and captained them through three quarters of a season without a home. With a blinding cannon from the point that proved to be lethal on the powerplay he also managed to chip in with the odd goal. His move to Sheffield gained him both the silverware he deserved and the university deal he wanted. Will be anchoring the Steelers back line again in 09/10.
3) Dwight Parrish [2003-2004, 2008]
87GP 10G 22A 74PIM
While the stats don't say everything, Dewey is possibly the finest servant to hockey Manchester has ever had, after perhaps a certain green-fingered forward. A calming influence wherever he went, he made Manchester his home even during his three-year stint with Bracknell and was a perfect stay-at-home D. Whilst we'll miss him dearly, his #17 that will hang in the rafters at Altair will remind us all of what he did both for the Phoenix and the Storm before it.
2) Kenton Smith [2008-2009]
67GP 9G 38A 74PIM
El Presidente is, without a doubt, the best two-way defenceman we will ever see in Phoenix colours and a master of the technical side of hockey. A quiet, yet assured captain he often put the D on his back, usually because he was the only healthy one out there. Able to make an excellent first pass, join the rush and still backcheck hard enough to cover any gaps, he played the game with his head and stick and could undress anybody along the boards. An absolute joy to watch.
1) Jeff MacMillan [2007-2008]
56GP 5G 11A 75PIM
A monster. Never the most offensive of players, he didn't need to be. He was so strong on the puck, so sure of his defensive capabilities he was able to let the game come to him and subsequently control the tempo of the entire game. He didn't use his huge frame to make a hit, it was all about poise and puck protection. The hockey sense that got him to the NHL was there for all to see and it hadn't dissipated one jot. As his magnum opus, he almost managed to make a good player out of Omar Ennaffati. Sadly, he was never a miracle worker.
So there you go then, our opinion of the five best defenceman we had in the Elite League era. Whether the defensive import coming into the EPL team will top them or even one of the youngsters such as Ben Wood, Joe Graham or, perhaps, Max Drakeley in years to come will crack this list remains to be seen, but it's going to be fun finding out.
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