STEPHEN FONE is the best netminder in the English Premier League.

That’s the view of Phoenix player coach Tony Hand who has signed him up for a third season.

He said: “When he joined us he was a back-up in the Elite League so in his first season with us he was still learning plus he had a bad injury to contend with.

“That first year the team wasn’t as balanced as it could have been because we did not know what to expect.

“Last year we were well prepared and Stephen was fantastic. Now we have another year with him a little bit older and a little bit more experienced and with more knowledge of the league.”

Fone, 23, from Rotherham is still maturing according to the Phoenix boss who is impressed by his attitude and work ethic.

“He is way more consistent and what I like about him is he is prepared to listen and he works hard and he’s a great signing for us.

“I think he’s probably the best in the league at the moment.

“He was fantastic last season. You only have to look at the small number of games we lost and in the run in he did a great job.

“He has had two years with us now and he’s a lot more experienced and he’s the premier goaltender in the league.”