ICE HOCKEY: COVENTRY Blaze chairman Andy Buxton has said the outgoing Ashley Tait will leave a ‘great playing legacy’ at the Skydome after it was announced the 41-year-old will not feature in a Blaze jersey for the upcoming season.
Buxton, who has worked closely with Tait throughout his years at the Skydome, witnessed many of Tait’s 590 appearances for the club spanning from 2002 until March this year.
In December of last year, Tait became the first player to reach 700 points in Elite League competitions and is only one of two players to reach 250 goals.
Reacting to the news of Tait’s departure, Buxton said: “I feel very privileged to have worked with Ash for so many years – during both of his spells at Coventry and with the Great Britain team.
“He’s set standards and records that he should be very proud of.
“We were thrilled to bring him here for his first spell with the club and I must admit, when he chose to leave and join Sheffield at the end of that spell, I didn’t think we would see him in Blaze colours again.
“It was great therefore that we were able to give him the opportunity to return for a second spell which has seen him extend his career at the top level into his forties – an extraordinary feat and testament to his fitness and conditioning.
“I’m also very pleased that we have been able to give him the chance to try work areas away from the ice to help him get a feel for what he would like to ultimately do in the future.
“Finally, I want to thank Ash for his great playing service to the club, as I’m sure our fans will do too. He has been an inspiration to many and he leaves a great playing legacy here.”
