Post by SallyMahers on Mar 3, 2005 14:34:01 GMT 1
3 March 2005
Press release
55 is back for one night only
Legend defenceman Stephen Cooper will be dusting off his kit for the first time in three years when he appears at Coventry Blaze coach Paul Thompson’s testimonial game next week.
Cooper hung up his skates in Coventry after a 20 year career, during which he established himself as the best British defenceman of all time.
His number 55 shirt was retired by Blaze as a tribute to his contribution to the sport in 2002.
Cooper last set foot on the ice in Blaze’s final game of the 2001-2 season, the play-off final defeat to Dundee.
He returns to the Skydome on 9 March as part of Thompson’s All-Star side, which will be taking on the current Blaze team to mark his ten years as coach with the organisation.
Other famous names from the Blaze past will also be returning, including Barry Hollyhead, AJ Kelham, Steve Carpenter, Ron Shudra, Lee Richardson, Adam Radmall, Michael Knights, Gareth Owen and Mathias Soderstrom.
The Newcastle Vipers contingent of Hilton Ruggles, Michael Tasker and Shaun Johnson, and last year’s player of the year Steve O’Brien, must wait to see whether their clubs will be involved in play-off games that night before confirming.
Also joining Thompson’s team will be all the Elite League coaches and his assistant Luc Chabot.
All the players will wear special souvenir shirts, which will be auctioned off afterwards.
Cooper said he was looking forward to paying tribute to Thompson, a coach he highly rates. He said: “I haven’t had my kit out of the loft since that game in Dundee, so tonight will be the first time I have worn it in three years!
“I’m looking forward to coming back to Coventry. I was very appreciative that they retired my shirt. It was a classy gesture and I raise my hat to them and to Thommo.”<br>Thompson said: “Having a player like Stephen Cooper coming along to play is great – he’ll be as out of shape as me! Seriously though, Coops is one of the best British players that this rink has ever seen, and it will be great for everyone to see him again.”<br>
Press release
55 is back for one night only
Legend defenceman Stephen Cooper will be dusting off his kit for the first time in three years when he appears at Coventry Blaze coach Paul Thompson’s testimonial game next week.
Cooper hung up his skates in Coventry after a 20 year career, during which he established himself as the best British defenceman of all time.
His number 55 shirt was retired by Blaze as a tribute to his contribution to the sport in 2002.
Cooper last set foot on the ice in Blaze’s final game of the 2001-2 season, the play-off final defeat to Dundee.
He returns to the Skydome on 9 March as part of Thompson’s All-Star side, which will be taking on the current Blaze team to mark his ten years as coach with the organisation.
Other famous names from the Blaze past will also be returning, including Barry Hollyhead, AJ Kelham, Steve Carpenter, Ron Shudra, Lee Richardson, Adam Radmall, Michael Knights, Gareth Owen and Mathias Soderstrom.
The Newcastle Vipers contingent of Hilton Ruggles, Michael Tasker and Shaun Johnson, and last year’s player of the year Steve O’Brien, must wait to see whether their clubs will be involved in play-off games that night before confirming.
Also joining Thompson’s team will be all the Elite League coaches and his assistant Luc Chabot.
All the players will wear special souvenir shirts, which will be auctioned off afterwards.
Cooper said he was looking forward to paying tribute to Thompson, a coach he highly rates. He said: “I haven’t had my kit out of the loft since that game in Dundee, so tonight will be the first time I have worn it in three years!
“I’m looking forward to coming back to Coventry. I was very appreciative that they retired my shirt. It was a classy gesture and I raise my hat to them and to Thommo.”<br>Thompson said: “Having a player like Stephen Cooper coming along to play is great – he’ll be as out of shape as me! Seriously though, Coops is one of the best British players that this rink has ever seen, and it will be great for everyone to see him again.”<br>
