
29/07/2010
With the senior Blaze team now all but complete it's time for the ENL Blaze to start hiring players and Head Coach Reg Wilcox has had some excellent prospects to run the rule over during the four recent open training. To start the process he has secured the signatures of two Blaze stalwarts and a brand new face to Coventry.
Who better to start with than the team captain and top point scorer from last season Rhys McWilliams who as Coach Wilcox puts it “was the team leader on the ice and was one of the players I saw as priority to re-sign.” The focus of this seasons ENL Blaze signings will be tending more toward youth and other than his ability in front of the net Reg also wanted Rhys's leadership to help guide these players “We’re looking to bring a few younger, hungrier players in this season and I know that Rhys has the leadership to bring out the best in them.”
When it comes to experience nobody in the league has more experience, international caps and meddles to show for it than James Pease as he returns for a thirteenth season a Blaze shirt of one form or another. As Coach Wilcox puts it “Just like Rhys James is the sort of player I want in my dressing room, the younger lads can learn so much from Peasey.” James will again be combining his role as General Manager of the Blaze organisation, Chairman of the Blaze junior system with his role on the blue line for the ENL Blaze.
One of the younger players who have been impressing Coach Wilcox in recent week is 18 year old, Solihull born forward Connor Hubbuck. Connor spent last season with Sutton Sting in ENL North Division 2 but played most of his hockey before that in Solihull and Milton Keynes. Connor describes himself as “the sort of player who is looking for a goal”. When asked about the coming season Connor said “I’m looking forward to the season in Division 1 with the ENL Blaze playing fast, tough, physical hockey” and went on to say “I think I can really help this team to a title this season”. Connor will be wearing the #97 shirt this season.