COVENTRY, UK – Coventry Blaze today announce the signing of forward Owen Fussey. The former NHL player joins the reigning EIHL champions after spending his first season in the UK with Edinburgh Capitals where he scored 35 goals in just 46 games.
Fussey played 4 games in the NHL for Washington Capitals in 2003 and won the Calder Cup with Hersey Bears in 2005/06. He has played over two hundred games in the high quality AHL for Portland Pirates, Hershey Bears and Toronto Marlies. He then moved to Italy to play for HC Fassa.
Fussey is aged 27 and was born in Winnipeg Canada to British parents. He is the holder of a British passport and may come into contention for international honours with Team GB. Fussey was named the Elite League Newcomer of the Season at the 2010 Elite League awards. There was a number of hockey clubs vying for his services both UK teams and overseas teams, so this signing is a major coup for Coventry Blaze.
Fussey joins up with the Blaze’s other latest signings that has delighted Coach Paul Thompson. He now has awesome goal scoring potential with Luke Fulghum re-signing for 2 years and Greg Chambers also confirmed for the new season. Coventry have also announced this week the signing of 20 years old Aaron Nell on a full time contract after he spent last season on a 2 way contract. Nell played most of his hockey last season with his home town club Swindon Wildcats of the EPL where he scored 45 goals in 57 games. He also played 13 games for Coventry last season and scored 1 goal. The 6’3” forward spent four years playing junior hockey in North America including three years at the Okinagan Hockey Academy.
Nell said “I’m really excited about playing in Coventry full time this season,” I’ve been very fortunate in that I was able to spend a lot of time in and around the club last season which gave me the chance to see first-hand just what a great organisation it is to be part of. That made the decision so easy for me. There’s not a better team or organisation to play for in the UK.
Nell signs for the Blaze (Photo Swindon Wildcats)
“It’s a great opportunity for me to continue to learn from Coach Thopmson and the rest of the players in both training and games but of course, being a full time member of the team next season, I really want to do my bit to help the team carry on from the success of last season by winning the championship again.”
Coach Thompson said “This club is a great fit for Aaron and he’s a great fit for Coventry, The two way contract last season gave us the opportunity to have a really good look at him and everyone was impressed with this attitude, commitment and skill level.
“He made a big impression last season. He’d travel hundreds of miles just for the chance to train with the team or to play for the Blaze in any type of game. That showed everyone just how determined he is to make it as a player at the highest level. I have no doubt that he’s going to really develop next season and I’m looking forward to being able to work with him on a full time basis to help him establish himself as a genuine Elite League player.” Thompson still has not signed a goaltender for the new season with last season’s goalie Peter Hirsch on international duty with Denmark at the world championships and not wanting to negotiate at this time. Thompson will look elsewhere if EHIL netminder of the year Hirsch does not commit by the end of May, and it was interesting that former Blaze goalie Jody Lehman was at the recent Coventry Blaze cricket game and played for the Blaze in the game. Although this is a social occasion it was still interesting although Lehman was non-committal when asked if he was returning to the Blaze. Contact the author Comment@Prohockeynews.com
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