COVENTRY, UK – Pro Hockey News takes a look at it’s second Elite League team, league champions Coventry Blaze as they look to defend their title in 2010.
The Club? Coventry Blaze celebrated 10 years playing out of the Coventry Skydome Arena last season and with it sealed another League Championship, cementing their place as the most successful club of the Elite League era. In those 10 years the club have lifted every trophy available to them including 4 Elite League championships and a British National League championship averaging a win every other year. The team have also lifted the Playoffs, Challenge Cup, British Knockout Cup and Charity Sheild on more than one occasion. Supported by a strong ownership base that includes the Head Coach Paul Thompson alongside Sheffield based property and car dealership magnate Michael Cowley and Solihull native Chairman Andy Buxton the team have gone from strength to strength with increasing gates almost ever year. Masters of the business side of running a hockey side, the triumverate have long been supported by Commercial Manager Sally Mahers and General Manager James Pease, and have amongst the largest standing in their local community of any club having secured Contribution to the Commuity and Best Business awards from the Coventry business community. Playing out of the 3500 capacity Skydome Arena, the Dome provides amongst the best atmosphere of any rink when full. The Coach ? Singapore born, Solihull native Paul Thompson is the longest serving coach in pro hockey, now entering his 16th season with the same club. The Coach who is also Head Coach of Team Great Britain, has the highest win percentage of any Elite League coach at 69%, with the early years of his career removed the Blaze can be sure statistically of winning three quarters of their games with Thompson behind the bench. Tactically and experience wise the 42 year old has a clear advantage over his fellow coaches in the Elite League. Thompson is a man who can give the players the tools and tactics required to suceed on the ice. 
Once again this season Thompson has recruited players he has seen week in week out in the Elite League supplemented by just two players brand new to the UK in Brett Jaeger and Brad Zanon. The question for Thompson remains if he can suceed at a higher level such as the AHL or a top European league but with over 20 years of coaching in front of him, Thompson still has plenty of time to do that after he finishes with his local club.
PHN Verdict: Blaze have a clear and defined advantage behind the bench. The Goaltenders?
30 – Tom Murdy 09/10 Club: Coventry Blaze 09/10 Stats: P6 GAA 4.52 SVV .898 Career Stats: Elite League: P6 GAA 4.52 SVV .898 English PL : P2 GAA 3.00 SVV .924 English NL : P46 GAA 1.81 SVV .938 GB Under 20: P2 GAA 0.68 SVV .888 GB Under 18: P6 GAA 2.82 SVV .873 19 year old Murdy is a fine future prospect for UK goaltending, with good records in all three leagues in his brief career. Played for the victorious England Under 19 side in the Home Internationals at the Playoff Finals weekend and made a good account of himself. Murdy is unlikely to be the netminder called upon if starter Brett Jaeger goes down for a significant period of time but can certainly do a job if called upon for a period or so to give the starter a rest. A useful member of the team, who may also benefit from some time starting for the Coventry Blaze ENL side. 35 – Brett Jaeger 09/10 Club: Texas Brahmas, CHL 09/10 Stats: P38 GAA 2.72 SVV .912 Career Stats: Elite League: First Year CHL: P104 GAA 2.44 SVV .919 ECHL: P119 GAA 3.18 SVV .902 AJHL: P151 GAA 3.16 SVV .899 WHL: P99 GAA 3.36 SVV .897 27 year old Jaeger comes to the Elite League on the back of some successful seasons with Texas in the Central Hockey league, and is the first new to the country North American to take up between the sticks for the Blaze since Jody Lehman. A big netminder who knows how to win championships, Jaeger’s stats and reports suggest he will be a player who wins big games, but may struggle with his attention when the game is less important. Ultimately it is that sort of goaltender that will be a factor in winning championship games, and expect Jaeger to come big against Sheffield, Nottingham and Belfast. A slow junior career and stats since show that Jaeger improves year on year, and this year could be another step forward for the goaltender as the Blaze seek to replace back to back championship winner Trevor Koenig on a long term basis. Jaeger certainly won’t be a team weakness, but may not be the assett that many Blaze fans hope for given the lofty standards set down by Trevor Koenig, Jody Lehman and Peter Hirsch. Verdict – The Blaze have a good goaltending duo that will be up there with the best of them come.
The defence? 4 – Jeff Smith 09/10 Club: Nijmegen Devils, Holland 09/10 Stats: P45 5+14=19 PIM 128 Career Stats: Elite League first year. Holland: P80 7+25=32 PIM 237 ECHL : P243 22+39=61 PIM 707 AHL : P58 2+4=6 PIM 150 WHL : P229 40+32=72 PIM 506 Massive defenceman Jeff Smith joins the club after a championship winning captaincy at Nijmegen Devils in the Dutch Elite League. At 6ft 6, Smith will be one of the largest players in the league and he certainly uses his size to his advantage. A direct replacement for Jason Robinson, Smith is expected to bring a little less in speed but brings another tough pair of hands to the Blaze.
Coventry have chosen to go without a major tough man, so the extra toughness in Smith won’t go a miss and with over 50 games at AHL level Smith will offer a degree of skill to the blueline. 5 – Brian Lee 09/10 Club: Coventry Blaze 09/10 Stats: P56 8+27=35 PIM 94 Career Stats: Elite League: P56 8+27=35 PIM 94 France Magnus: P26 4+14=18 PIM 64 ECHL: P145 13+37=50 PIM 194 AHL: P60 2+6=8 PIM 113 OHL: P319 24+82=106 PIM 492 Lee enters a second season with the Blaze and is likely to recieve an A on his jersey thanks to his leadership in last years championship wining team.
Lee has the all round game that an Elite League defenceman need and eyes around the league were once again moved towards Coventry as Coach Thompson unearthed yet another gem, this time arriving from France. The 26 year old American hits like a train and is not afraid of dropping the gloves when required and like Jeff Smith will bring size, hitting and good hockey sense to the blueline without being overly flashly. 6 – Brad Zanon 09/10 Club: Florida Everblades, ECHL 09/10 Stats: P68 1+11=12 PIM 129 Career Stats: Elite League First Year. ECHL: P146 3+22=25 PIM 223 AHL: P4 0+0=0 PIM 2 CIS: P108 24+43=67 PIM 244 WHL: P328 23+72=95 PIM 608 27 year old Zanon is a defensive defenceman, brother of Greg Zanon of the Minnesota Wild. Although a leading goalscorer amongst defencemen during his college years, Zanon has made his name in the ECHL and AHL as a strong defensive defenceman. Likely to most closely match former Blaze defenceman Samy Nasreddine in style, hard working Zanon is another tough cookie who will not back down from opposing teams and work hard each and every night. 14 – Jonathan Weaver (Captain) 09/10 Club: Coventry Blaze 09/10 Stats: P56 13+54=67 PIM 50 Career Stats: Elite League: P242 83+206=289 PIM 248 British NL: P93 36+54 =90 PIM 68 Superleague: P207 56+85 =141 PIM 48 ECHL : P28 4+17=21 PIM 4 IHL : P7 2+1=3 PIM 2 British HL : P130 31+40=71 PIM 20 GB National : P50 15+20=35 PIM 40 GB Under 20 : P12 3+6=9 PIM 53 33 year old Jon Weaver is the jewel in the Blaze crown entering his 4th season in the Midlands. Originally from Sunderland in the North East the defenceman has won the Alan Weeks trophy as Best British defenceman for the past 5 years. Regarded as one of the best defenceman since the Newcastle Vipers joined the Elite League in 2005, Weaver is consistently above a point a game as the major attacking force from the blueline.
Occasionally critised for disregarding his defensive duties in favour of his offensive ones, no team in the Elite League would be without Jon Weaver if they were given the chance. Taking over the captaincy from Adam Calder, Jon Weaver is a known quantity as a Captain, having captained the British national team for many years and also lifting the Playoffs as captain of the Newcastle Vipers. 77 – Mathias Soderstrom 09/10 Club – Coventry Blaze 09/10 Stats – P45 2+11=13 PIM 38 Career Stats: Elite League: P184 9+34=43 PIM 233 English PL : P41 5+15=20 PIM 94 Italy : P66 5+12=17 PIM 121 British NL : P140 17+42=59 PIM 207 Swe D1 : P61 5+6=11 PIM 50 Swe Jnr Elite: P90 5+12=17 PIM 50 33 year old Swede Soderstrom enters his 8th season with the Blaze, and his 4th at Elite League level. One of the few players to be very competent at Elite League level but not good at English Premier League level, Soderstrom is a very defensive player that is unlikely to bother the scorers too much.
This year operating as a 5th defenceman, Soderstrom will be very strong at that level of responsibility and can still read the game extremely well despite his pace not being fantastic. Good value for a 5th defenceman slot, Soderstrom now makes Coventry his home and if necessary could be rested for another player if needed for a period of time. Thompson is said to be presuading Blaze legend to play in the European Continental Cup, which if true, may see Thompson play Martin in lieu of Soderstrom in the Elite League either side of the European trip. ENL Options: Being blessed with an ENL team means that the Blaze have a number of defensive options to call on from their reserve team. The likely options at the back are Club GM, former Great Britain international and record appearence holder James Pease who made 14 appearences in the Elite League last season and this season will likely be a call if injurys do occur. Also in the ENL team are Tom Pease, who has made 65 senior appearences and at 22 is a consistent performer for the ENL club. Whilst Ryan Selwood made 10 appearences last season, while the 22 year old also suited up for the Basingstoke Bison in the EPL.
Verdict: The Blaze have a strong defensive line, with 5 high level players who will take no nonsense. In Weaver they posses the best British player in the position and in Lee they posses proven quality. Alot will ride on how Zanon fits into the UK. The Forwards? 7 – Joe Henry (Two Way Contract with Telford Tigers) 09/10 Club: Coventry Blaze 09/10 Stats: P55 1+6=7 PIM 2 Career Stats: Elite League: P183 3+10=13 PIM 11 English NL : P5 10+3=13 PIM 4 GB Under 20: P5 1+2=3 PIM 6 21 year old Henry has played in the Elite League for the Blaze for some 5 seasons as the club apprentice. This season his main club will be the English Premier League’s Telford Tigers coached by 10 year Blaze veteren Tom Watkins. Henry has always had bags of skill but has lacked size, this shows in his stats when dropping down to play in the English National League where he averaged 2 goals a game.
The GB Under 20 international started to get some regular ice time on the 3rd line last season and had a career high 7 points to show for it. However, a season or two playing full time in the EPL will be very interesting for Henry where he could be a real hit in Telford.
Henry will be available for selection for any game which doesn’t clash with a Telford EPL game and will also travel with the Blaze to play in the European Continental Cup. 9 – Greg Owen 09/10 Club: Coventry Blaze 09/10 Stats: P46 27+18=45 PIM 44 Career Stats: Elite League: P177 72+91=163 PIM 130 France Magnus: P25 6+15=21 PIM 16 English PL : P36 40+23=63 PIM 30 British NL : P71 25+42=67 PIM 26 Superleague: P18 2+1=3 PIM 2 SJHL : Stats Unknown GB National : P25 6+13=19 PIM 30 GB Under 20 : P8 1+1=2 PIM 14 GB Under 18 : P3 2+0=2 PIM 6 Face off expert Owen, 29, forms part of the former Basingstoke line that was successful during the run in last season alongside Greg Chambers and Brad Cruikshank. Although most well recognised for his work in the face off circle, where Owen is the #2 man on the Blaze behind first line centre Dan Carlson, Owen has a major eye for goal, scoring more goals than assists last season and in a number of seasons throughout his career. A second season in a Blaze shirt for Owen is not good news for the rest of the league as Owen is one of the few import quality British players in the league. A clubman off the ice, Owen is a Reading Unviersity graduate and will be looking to match his 27 goals with the same in assists this coming season, arguably therefore replacing the void left in the forward lines when Ashley Tait left for Sheffield 3 season ago. A vital re-signing for Coach Thompson and ensures that his forward lines of imports will once again be matched by quality British forwards. 10 – Tom Ledgard 09/10 Club: Coventry Blaze 09/10 Stats: P22 0+0=0 PIM 0 Career Stats: Elite League: P51 0+0=0 PIM 0 English NL : P61 27+63=80 PIM 28 English PL : P3 2+3=3 PIM 0
22 year old Ledgard will suit up as a 10th forward on a regular basis for the Blaze this season. The Milton Keynes native has appeared for the Blaze in various amounts of fixtures for the the previous four seasons. Still searching for his first Elite League goal, Ledgard’s impressive English National League form shows he will eventually have something to offer the senior team. Ledgard will be a useful energy saver to rest senior players in dead rubber games and in the case of injuries but is unlikely to have a full time impact on the team. Once again, Ledgard will also spend time with the English National League team where he will once again be a top forward. 16 – Jack Watkins (Two Way Contract) 09/10 Club: Coventry Blaze 09/10 Stats: P32 0+0=0 PIM 2 Career Stats: Elite League: P32 0+0=0 PIM 2 English NL : P31 8+10=18 PIM 22 GB Under 18: P5 0+1=1 PIM 2 Watkins, 17, enters his second season of Elite League hockey on the basis of a two-way contract with Telford Tigers where he will join Joe Henry on the forward lines in the English Premier League. 13 points in 24 ENL games for the Blaze’s second string last season hides some good showings of skill that Watkins put out during the season, and with Whitley Bay Warriors in the previous season.
Still with plently of years ahead of him, a good couple of seasons in the English Premier League could set up Watkins to be a successful full time Elite League player in the future. Watkins, like Henry, will be available for any game which doesn’t clash with a Telford Tigers EPL fixture. 17 – Russell Cowley 09/10 Club: Coventry Blaze 09/10 Stats: P56 10+31=41 PIM 40 Career Stats: Elite League: P325 62+151=211 PIM 199 British NL : P66 13+15=28 PIM 14 Great Britain: P40 1+12=13 PIM 14 GB Under 20: P13 8+10=18 PIM 10 GB Under 18: P4 2+2=4 PIM 14 At 26, speedy wing Russell Cowley is already a veteren of 40 international caps for Great Britain. Although born in Edmonton, Alberta, Cowley has trained his entire hockey playing life in the UK, primarily coming through the Swindon junior system. Entering his 7th senior season with the Blaze, Cowley is now being asked to take on a more versitile role previously filled by Tommy Watkins, something Cowley already does for the National Team.
This could be a wise tactical move from Coach Thompson, allowing him a proven skilled utility player in Cowley whilst bringing on fellow Swindon prospect Aaron Nell into the Cowley forward role and Owen taking on the top forward mantra. Cowley provides a proven and consistent level of points production from any line, and his speed will be beneficial on both defence and forward. 19 – Aaron Nell 09/10 Club: Swindon Wildcats/Coventry Blaze 09/10 Stats: P54 39+29=68 PIM 56 EPL and P13 1+3=4 PIM 2 EIHL. Career Stats: EIHL: P13 1+3=4 PIM 2 EPL: P96 59+47=106 PIM 78 NAHL: P40 3+4=7 PIM 16 GB Under 20: P5 3+0=3 PIM 6 GB Under 18: P5 0+1=1 PIM 2 Power forward Aaron Nell begins his first full time Elite League season as a 20 year old.
The GB Under 20 international looks a promising prospect, amassing 4 points in 13 games last season on a two-way contract with the Blaze.
At 6ft 3in, Nell has the size to succeed in the much more physical Elite League and is likely to get a regular shift on a top line this season to give him some real exposure at age 20.
Nell will need to develop his defensive game and use his size to do more than just score. Being on a team with providers such as Owen, Weaver, Selmser or Carlson will provide opportunities but to survive in this league Nell will need to spend the season developing other sides of his game other than his undeniable ability in front of goal. 23 – Owen Fussey 09/10 Club – Edinburgh Capitals 09/10 Stats: P49 35+31=66 PIM 30 Career Stats: Elite League: P49 35+31=66 PIM 30 Italy Serie A: P49 24+13=37 PIM 22 NHL : P4 0+1=1 PIM 0 AHL : P208 23+30=53 PIM 91 ECHL : P121 43+42=85 PIM 73 WHL : P237 106+73=179 PIM 180 Former Washington Capitals wing Owen Fussey, joins from their namesake Edinburgh Capitals where he was named newcomer of the year in the Elite League. The stand out forward as the Capitals had their best season in their short Elite League history, Fussey will be an impact forward for the Blaze this season. He reached the NHL for his checking forward abilities, to sit on checking line and catch teams on the counter attack, in the Elite League that translates to some excellent scoring combined with some good defensive skills, a very similar forward to Dan Carlson. At 27, Fussey still has many years in him and will no doubt be motivated to join GB’s national head coach at Coventry given his British passport that he has held since being born to two British parents. With so much goal scoring prowess in Coventry, look for Fussey to be a leading defensive forward in the league, alongside Josh Prudden (Belfast Giants) and Jay Henderson (Nottingham Panthers). 24 – Greg Chambers 09/10 Club: Coventry Blaze 09/10 Stats: P51 25+50=75 PIM 59 Career Stats: Elite League: P253 95+210=305 PIM 256 GB National T: P15 6+17=23 PIM 37 Italy Serie A: P36 10+24=34 PIM 19 ECHL : P57 12+30=42 PIM 12 OHL : P194 90+110=200 PIM 82 Great Britain international Chambers plays as an import in the Elite League as he hasn’t trained in Britain despite being born to two British parents in Ontario, Canada. A proven Elite League points setter, Chambers will occupy the former Bison line with Brad Cruikshank and fellow GB international Greg Owen with much success, scoring 75 points last year Chambers is likely to be around the same mark this season, having reached 70 plus points in each of the previous 3 seasons in the league with Coventry and Basingstoke. Chambers struggles occasionally with fitness, but posses an astute hockey brain and this results in some outstanding play from Chambers. A well liked figure by team and fans alike, Chambers has an excellent pass and quick wristshot which will once again produce for the Blaze.
Downside is Chambers is not the quickest forward, but with a pacey linemate such as Greg Owen on his line, this is unlikely to be aproblem. 26 – Dan Carlson 09/10 team: Coventry Blaze 09/10 stats: P56 20+50=70 PIM 72 Career Stats: Elite League: P268 114+251=365 PIM 287 Germany Bund: P50 15+24=39 PIM 125 AHL : P28 4+1=5 PIM 17 ECHL : P180 88+112=200 PIM 195 NCAA : P158 52+80=132 PIM 129 USA U20 : P6 1+0=0 PIM 0 31 year old Carlson is the life and soul of the Blaze, entering his 7th season with the club. Widely regarded as the best two way centre in the league, Carlson contributes at both ends of the ice and rarely misses a game or even a shift. Capped 6 times and Under 20 level for the United States, the Minnesota native now makes Coventry his home where he also lectures at Coventry University. A small but skillful player, Carlson plays hard and expects to win every game. Just as well its the Blaze he’s spent his career with then, with so many All-Star selections, and more importantly championships to his name. This will be Carlson’s first season without strike partner Adam Calder by his side, who has moved on to HC Neumarkt in Italy, but nevertheless with time in the AHL and such good skill in his armour there is no doubt that Carlson will still be able to contribute alot to the team. The question mark is if Carlson can establish a similar partnership with either Owen Fussey or Luke Fulghum, the latter having spent some time on a line with Carlson last season. Every team in the league would want a Dan Carlson on their team, an all round forward. 27 – Luke Fulghum 09/10 Team: Coventry Blaze 09/10 Stats: P56 48+32=80 PIM 62 Career Stats: Elite League: P108 75+65=140 PIM 96 AHL : P24 4+2=6 PIM 15 ECHL : P148 54+48=102 PIM 115 NCAA : P159 51+51=102 PIM 52 USHL : P154 68+59=127 PIM 149 29 year old American winger Fulghum has signed a 2 year extension to his Blaze contract as he enters his third elite League season. Fulghum is clearly a skilled player having spent significant time in the AHL, but in the Elite League he has really found his niche, last season leading the league in goals scored, Elite League fans’ favourite award, and Elite League forward of the year. The Colorado Springs native is the player who can replace former Captain and Blaze legend Adam Calder with the amount of goals he scores. Expect Fulghum to take up a role as the lead sniper on the team, partnered with Dan Carlson and either Aaron Nell or Owen Fussey. Fulghum is a strong forward, and will undoubtedly once again be near the top of the goalscoring charts this season. 29 – Sean Selmser 09/10 Team: Vienna Capitals, Austria 09/10 Stats: P54 11+20=31 PIM 116 Career Stats: Elite League First Season British ISL: P8 4+3=7 PIM 21 Austria: P384 121+201=322 PIM 749 NHL: P1 0+0=0 PIM 5 AHL: P233 39+44=83 PIM 433 ECHL: P70 23+31=54 PIM 211 IHL : P84 9+17=26 PIM 212 Team Canada: P111 28+40=68 PIM 272 WHL: P176 49+69 PIM 479 35 year old Selmser is the veteren in the team, and whilst he has one of the outstanding careers in the Elite League this year, it is a question wether Selmser will still be one of the top players around. With a respectable 31 points for the fiesty defensive forward in the very tough Austrian league last season, evidence suggests provided Selmser still has the legs he will be the natural replacement for Sylvain Cloutier, a gritty defensive forward who will bring real leadership to the team. A creative forward, Selmser has topped the scoring charts in Austria previously as well as appearing for Belfast Giants in the Continental Cup, Ayr Scottish Eagles in the Superleague and Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL. Selmser is the Blaze wildcard, if he is the player he was 6 years ago he will be the best player in the league but if he has lost the legs he will be a very good #7 or #8 forward. With such strong forwards elsewhere in the line up, its a risk worth taking. 57 – Brad Cruikshank 09/10 Team: Coventry Blaze/Sheffield Steelers 09/10 Stats: P16 7+4=11 PIM 85 (Blaze), P35 12+6=18 PIM 125 (Steelers) Career Stats: Elite League: P246 98+91=189 PIM 1110 ECHL : P190 20+24=44 PIM 690 UHL : P62 5+8=13 PIM 201 CHL : P68 4+7=11 PIM 302 WHL : P19 2+1=3 PIM 15 A veteren of 5 Elite League seasons, Cruikshank came to the league as an enforcer but has developed into an all round forward capable of being a real scoring threat. Nevertheless, Cruikshank is still very happy to drop the gloves should the occasion call for it. This season it is likely Cruikshank will need to call upon that side of his game as the major enforcer for the Blaze. Selmser, Zanon, Lee and Smith will not be afraid to stick up for the team but Cruikshank will likely be the man who has to fend off the likes of AHL class enforcers Sean McMorrow and Matt Suderman (Dundee Stars), Mike Hoffman (Belfast Giants), Alex Penner and Guillaume Lepine (Nottingham Panthers), Justin Sawyer and Brad Voth (Cardiff Devils) and Cedric Bernier (Braehead Clan). What Cruikshank brings over the vast majority of those players is a real impact on the ice with his stick as well as his fists and once again he will pose a threat infront of goal this season.
The big question for Cruikshank this season is how often he is call upon to enforce and take on the Elite League heavyweights. The Conclusion? The Blaze have finished Winners or Runners Up every season except one since 2004, and whilst this season looks more open than previous seasons there is no reason to expect the Blaze to place down the table. Much of the core of the Elite League winning team has been retained, and Selmser, Smith and Zanon are key additions. However, a key Brit is no longer in the side with Tom Watkins and this could leave them a little light in the case of injuries. The Blaze may add one of the displaced Hull British players before the start of the season to rectify this. Two question marks over the Blaze, the first is the quality of new netminder Brett Jaeger and the latter is if team have the required enforcing skills to combat the much increased level of physical players in the league this season.
Contact the author Phil.Andrews@Prohockeynews.com
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