bt

[covblaze2005]

did anyone hear bout bt hes in the senior team next season hes cllllllass at hockey man.

[Giguere35]

Yeah according to the Birmingham evening mail he has the number 77 shirt

[2+2]

Thats the number he wore in the Challenge games that he played in.

[blaze81]

BT in the senoir Blaze team next season?

[King Rich]

That's what he said.

[blaze81]

Same old sarky KR

Well thats great news then, ive seen him play, he's pretty damn good-not afraid to drop 'em either

[SallyMahers]

Full release below:

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE COVENTRY BLAZE
COVENTRY KID SIGNS FOR THE BLAZE
25 May 2004

'High and Mighty' Coventry Blaze have revealed the first player to graduate
from
the ranks of the club's junior system to the senior squad.

Nathanael Williams, known to everyone as 'BT', will be a member of the team in
the Elite Ice Hockey League after impressing during training sessions.

He will be the first player from the booming junior system to become a full
time
member of the senior squad. The juniors only came into existence three years
ago and have flourished, despite their opponents generally having years more
experience.

Williams, who will wear 77 for the Blaze, was given the chance to train with
the
senior side during the final weeks of last season.

The progress that he showed in that time convinced coach Paul Thompson that he
deserved a chance to improve further.

Thompson said: "When Nathanael first came along to train with us he struggled
with the speed and intensity of the practices but showed enough progress in the
few weeks he was with us to merit inclusion in the squad for next season.

"He still has a lot to work on with certain areas of his game, but I wanted to
give him an opportunity to develop by being a member of the senior squad. He
will still be playing for the under-19s but he will gain a lot from the extra
training and experience of playing up with the Blaze.

"He is strong and a very good skater and he could use this as a platform for
moving up a level. It won't be easy for him because most kids who make it have
been playing for years, but I have faith in him and I want our juniors to know
that if they are good enough they will be considered for the senior team."

Williams is aged 17, is 6ft and 13 stone. He lives in the Finham area, and is
studying at Coventry College, where he is currently sitting his AS levels. He
said: "I couldn't believe it when I heard - it's going to be quite a challenge
but I'm really excited about it.

"Keeping up with the players during training was quite hard but I learned a lot
from it. I've got a programme of work over the summer to improve my upper body
strength and I'm going to a hockey camp in Prague to improve my skills. I know
I'm not going to be a superstar but I have been given a chance and I will take
it."

Grant Charman, chairman of the Coventry Blaze Junior Club added: "I'm delighted
for BT. He's one of the nicest kids I know, he works hard, listens hard and
plays hard. He has great attitude and great potential.

"It's a tremendous day for the junior club, and really establishes the standard
that all the other kids need to reach. There are already a lot of youngsters
who are looking at BT and measuring themselves against him.

"Coventry Blaze Junior Ice Hockey Club has arrived on the map today, and things
will only get better for the young players in this city."

[Rich]

This has to be 1 of the proudest days in the history of Coventry Blaze. A Coventry lad getting signed up.

[Dave]

yer, we'l make money out of 16 year old girls comin to watch him, even though he won't get much ice time. i might get his name on my back!

[dave92]

It will be good to have a home grown player in our squad next season

[Dave]

innit