Stephen Fone (born 1 July 1987 in
Rotherham,
England) is an
English ice hockey goaltender. He is currently taking time out from ice hockey.
Career
Fone began his career in Sheffield, only a short distance from his Rotherham home. Initially playing at the Under-16 level for the Sheffield Rapiers, he featured in 13 games in his first season, managing a respectable goals against average of 3.87 and save percentage of .888% Fone would remain with the Rapiers the season after, dramatically improving his game to a GAA of 1.37 and a save percentage of .922% It was this season that he also made his debut for the U-19 team of the Sheffield organisation, the Sheffield Steelhawks. It was his only appearance that season.
Fone remained within the Sheffield organisation until the end of the 2004/05 season, featuring for the Steelhawks, the Sheffield Scimitars and also joining up with the senior
Sheffield Steelers for a period, although Fone failed to make a league appearance for the Steelers.
Fone moved for the 2005/06 season and split the season between four appearances again for the Scimitars, but it was at the
Solihull Barons
The Solihull Barons are an English ice hockey team from the town of Solihull who play at Solihull Ice Rink on Hobs Moat Road. The current team, which is the third incarnation of the Barons, was formed in 2005; they are named after the original ...
that he established himself as first choice goaltender. He played at
EPL level on 46 occasions for his new team.
It was in the 2006/07 season that Fone again moved up a level, signing for the Coventry Blaze, a move prompted by his attendance at University in the Midlands. Fone is mainly used as a back-up goaltender by the Blaze, but has played on six occasions in the 2007/08 season, proving himself to be a solid stand-in. In 2007, Fone also made his debut for his country, playing at the World Junior Championships for Team GB.
Fone made a loan move to the Blaze's EIHL rivals the
Manchester Phoenix in January 2008 due to an injury to the Phoenix's first choice goaltender,
Scott Fankhouser
Scott A. Fankhouser (born July 1, 1975) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played 23 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Atlanta Thrashers between 1999 and 2001. The rest of his career, which lasted from ...
. Fone started well for the Phoenix, winning the Man of the Match award for his heroics in a 5–2 victory against the
Cardiff Devils
The Cardiff Devils are a Welsh ice hockey team who play in the British Elite Ice Hockey League. The team play at Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff Bay.
Cardiff are the reigning EIHL play-off champions, winning their third title in a row after beating ...
. Fone started two more games for the Phoenix before returning to again play for the Blaze.
Fone received a boost in April 2008 after he was chosen as the third choice goaltender and travelling reserve for the Team G.B. squad playing at the World Championships in Austria. After concluding the 2008/09 season as a Coventry Blaze player, he would agree to re-sign for the
Manchester Phoenix following their decision to play in the EPL.
The 2012/13 season saw Steve win the Play-offs with
Manchester Phoenix following a serious injury earlier in the season.
References
External links
*
Stephen Fone Personal Profile Manchester Phoenix Official Website.
"Fankhouser Injury Forces Phoenix Move for Fone" Manchester Phoenix Official Website, 20 January 2008
"Fone: Good Reception" Manchester Phoenix Official Website, 27 January 2008.
Coventry Blaze Senior Roster Coventry Blaze Official Website
"Great Britain Team For World Championships Announced" EIHL Official Website, 31 March 2008.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fone, Stephen
1987 births
Coventry Blaze players
English ice hockey goaltenders
Living people
Manchester Phoenix players
Sheffield Steelers players