Wind of change fans the Blaze

COVENTRY, UK – The Elite League season has only just concluded and the championship trophy still has the whiff of champagne, but the wind of change is blowing through the Skydome in Coventry like a twister in Oklahoma.
This week Coventry Blaze fans had it confirmed that alternate captain Danny Stewart is leaving Coventry after 4 loyal, committed and successful years to take the role as player-coach at Newcastle Vipers.
Stewey has always displayed leadership qualities on and off the ice and now he has been presented with the challenge of being the boss, the loneliness of command. Will he be up to the challenge? What sort of team will the Vipers be under his leadership and direction?
On the first question those who have had the privilege of watching him play in the last 4 years will have few doubts about his ability to meet the challenges of being the boss. He will make mistakes, he will learn how difficult it can be to deal with players, he will need to learn people skills that he never realised existed.
As for the type of hockey team that he is looking to build, Stewart has indicated that it will be a balanced team with feisty players and good skaters and points scorers.   Newcastle has had teams in the past top heavy with goons who spent as much time in the penalty box as on the ice. Stewey is too clever for that so it will be interesting to see who he recruits.
Coventry Blaze have already lost Captain and goal machine Adam Calder who has become the player/coach of the newly formed Braehead Clan. A new franchise for the EIHL. Former Blaze captain Sylvian Cloutier is the player/coach at Hull Stingrays so the EIHL will have many leaders who have the Coventry pedigree.
Another departure this week from the Coventry ranks is loyal servant and outstanding utility player “Super” Tommy Watkins who is leaving Coventry after 10 glorious years of committed service. Watkins has had concussion problems this year and after celebrating his testimonial year with the Blaze he has decided to take up a coaching/playing career with the Telford Tigers of the English Premier League. Tom is still only 30 but has a trophy cabinet the size of a cathedral after 10 incredibly successful years with Coventry.
“I have had ten fantastic seasons with Coventry, including a brilliant testimonial year, and I am moving on with their best wishes and support,” said Watkins. “The team there – Paul Thompson, Andy Buxton and Mike Cowley – have been like family. I live in Telford so I have followed eagerly what has been happening with the Tigers and their new set-up. I see this as a good opportunity for me.”
Blaze Assistant Coach Luc Chabot said “It’s a great loss to the organisation, he’s greatly respected by the players, management and coaching team and he’ll be missed by all.” Watkins, along with Adam Calder, is one of the grand slam winners from 2004/05 season and will always be a hockey legend in Coventry. He is another great leader and another thoroughbred from the Coventry Blaze stable taking up the challenge of being the boss. Coventry hockey fans have much to be proud of in the players that are leaving to become such key figures in UK ice hockey.
So we here in Coventry will have the dilemma of seeing some of our most treasured heroes becoming adversaries next season. We have already had a taste of it with Cloutier ruthlessly giving his former team a battering, and scoring goals against Coventry. It’s what you would expect from a top pro and Stewart and Calder will be the same.
Apart from when Coventry play against them, all Blaze fans will be wishing our former players who are in leadership positions all the very best for next season. April is not over yet and the drama for the next season has already started.
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