COVENTRY, UK – Elite League champions Coventry Blaze have moved to re-sign 54 goal forward Luke Fulghum on a 2 year agreement that will see the 29 year old enjoy a second and third season in a Blaze shirt. Elsewhere, young prospect Jack Watkins joins EPL Telford Tigers but remains on two way with the Elite champions.
The Colorado Springs native joins fellow American Brian Lee re-signing with the club following winning the Elite League Forward of the Year trophy last season with a league leading 54 goals for the club.
With the future of Captain and perennial sniper Adam Calder unclear following Calder’s decision to leave Braehead Clan, Head Coach Paul Thompson has moved quickly to ensure his top scorer is wearing sky blue for the coming season.
Fulghum arguably formed a partnership with American centre Dan Carlson, yet to re-sign, that rivals that of Calder, putting home many Carlson passes for that total of 54 goals.
The 29 year old is no stranger to silverware, having won the NCAA championship with University of Denver whilst he has also spent a signifcant amount of time in the AHL with Toronto Marlies and Bridgeport Sound Tigers. However, he really showed his scoring touch after signing with Manchester Phoenix where he linked up with centreman Tony Hand to deliver an 84 point season.
His efforts this season have earned him the right to a 2 year deal with the club, and Paul Thompson, speaking to the club website today, sees it as a key boost for his teams’ chances of retaining their crown this coming season.
Elsewhere, 17 year old forward Jack Watkins has joined his brother Tom Watkins at the EPL Telford Tigers. Pointless in 36 games with the senior club, Watkins is regarded is a hot prospect for the club and his efforts earned him both a slot with the Great Britain Under 18 side and England Under 19 side and also potted 13 points in 24 games for the Coventry Blaze ENL side. Watkins remains on a 2-way contract with the Blaze and will train with the club and play when commitments to the Tigers allow.
Tom Watkins has also signed his first import for the Tigers, signing Slovakian forward Marek Hornak for his 4th season in Telford. Settled in the Telford area, Hornak played for the Telford Titans ENL side last season in the 1 import league scoring 30 points in 22 games. In his last EPL season, he notched 84 points in 53 games to earn a spot on the EPL All Star team. Still only 26, in 4 EPL seasons Hornak has never been below a point a game with Swindon Wildcats and Telford Tigers.
Contact the author: phil.andrews@prohockeynews.com
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