Post by 2+2 on Jun 24, 2004 16:38:29 GMT 1
A Coventry Blaze PR:
Tribute to players leaving (24th June, 2004)
'High and Mighty' Coventry Blaze have revealed that two more long-serving team members will not be returning next season. Both Steve Carpenter and Hilton Ruggles are moving on.
Ruggles played a major part both on and off the ice with Blaze, helping them establish themselves in Coventry after moving to the city in 2000. A consistent high-scorer, he scored more than 100 goals including many important contributions in the play-offs.
Carpenter was a defensive stalwart for the side in the three seasons he spent after rejoining Blaze from Sheffield Steelers in 2001. His hard-checking style was a lynchpin of the Coventry defence and in 2002-3 he scored the goals that secured both the league and the play-off championships.
Head coach Paul Thompson paid tribute to the pair, and also to Mathias Soderstrom, who is also leaving the club.
"These guys have been fantastic ambassadors for the club over the years and they have made huge contributions on the ice. We cannot thank them enough for the part they have played in getting Coventry Blaze to where it is now.
"The team is in a transitional phase this summer. Some changes have been forced on me, while I have identified other areas where I would like to improve the team.
"Next season there will still be some familiar faces and there will be new blood and I am hugely looking forward to the new season. I think we are putting together a roster that can only serve to impress."
The following players have signed for Blaze for the 2004-5 season: Ashley Tait, Russ Cowley, Nathanael Williams, Tom Carlon, Adam Brittle, Dan Mackriel, Michal Vrabel, Pavol Mihalik, Andre Payette and Dan Carlson.
Tribute to players leaving (24th June, 2004)
'High and Mighty' Coventry Blaze have revealed that two more long-serving team members will not be returning next season. Both Steve Carpenter and Hilton Ruggles are moving on.
Ruggles played a major part both on and off the ice with Blaze, helping them establish themselves in Coventry after moving to the city in 2000. A consistent high-scorer, he scored more than 100 goals including many important contributions in the play-offs.
Carpenter was a defensive stalwart for the side in the three seasons he spent after rejoining Blaze from Sheffield Steelers in 2001. His hard-checking style was a lynchpin of the Coventry defence and in 2002-3 he scored the goals that secured both the league and the play-off championships.
Head coach Paul Thompson paid tribute to the pair, and also to Mathias Soderstrom, who is also leaving the club.
"These guys have been fantastic ambassadors for the club over the years and they have made huge contributions on the ice. We cannot thank them enough for the part they have played in getting Coventry Blaze to where it is now.
"The team is in a transitional phase this summer. Some changes have been forced on me, while I have identified other areas where I would like to improve the team.
"Next season there will still be some familiar faces and there will be new blood and I am hugely looking forward to the new season. I think we are putting together a roster that can only serve to impress."
The following players have signed for Blaze for the 2004-5 season: Ashley Tait, Russ Cowley, Nathanael Williams, Tom Carlon, Adam Brittle, Dan Mackriel, Michal Vrabel, Pavol Mihalik, Andre Payette and Dan Carlson.
