Coventry Blaze return to the ice this week as preparations ramp up for their first pre-season fixtures at the weekend.
For Head Coach Kevin Moore, it marks the start of his second season behind the Blaze bench after a debut campaign that earned him a contract extension at the Skydome.
Looking ahead to the new season, Moore said:
“I’m very excited to have everyone back – it was a long summer! “It’s nice to recharge, but hockey is what we do and it’s just amazing to be back in the rink and see the guys’ faces in person. We’re excited for a fresh start.”
The players arrived last week and have already taken part in several activities together before getting back on the ice, as the Head Coach explains:
“Week one for us is a lot about team building — getting to know each other as people, not just players. Once we’ve done that, it leads into our first on-ice sessions where we’ll bring everyone up to speed on our culture and identity. The focus is on getting everyone on the same page and working to be the best versions of ourselves.”
Coventry open their pre-season schedule on Friday night at the Skydome against NIHL side MK Lightning, coached by former Nottingham Panthers boss Tim Wallace. They then face Tilburg Trappers of the German third tier on Sunday, with the Dutch side also playing MK in between.
“At this stage of the year, pre-season games are competitive practice. It’s about fine-tuning the details, building the players’ understanding of how we want to play, and taking advantage of these dress rehearsals before the real thing begins. It’s a learning process and a step toward finding consistency – as long as we’re moving forward, I’ll be happy.”
Photo: Scott Wiggins
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