GENTING Casino Coventry Blaze have been boosted by the news 6ft 4in Canadian defenceman Justin Hamonic has signed a two-year contract extension with the club.
The 26-year-old stay-at-home defenceman iced in 57 Elite League competition games last season and registered 17 points.
Prior to his arrival in Coventry, Hamonic spent a year in France with Ducs d’Angers where he played in 47 regular season and play-off games – contributing ten points.
Before moving to Europe, the Winnipeg native appeared in near 200 games over three seasons split between the AHL (San Antonio Rampage, Utica Comets) and ECHL (Alaska Aces, Fort Wayne Comets, Colorado Eagles and Worcester Railers).
With the Railers in 2017/18, he was named an associate captain, utilising his major junior leadership experience of two years as captain of the WHL’s Tri-City Americans.
In total, Hamonic spent four years with Tri-City, playing 255 games and was named most valuable player and defenseman of the year in his final season (2014/15).
Blaze head coach Danny Stewart said: “Hammer was a big-time reason for our success last season. His commitment to the game is as good as anyone I’ve ever seen. He’s in immaculate condition and on the ice a true competitor.
“As a coaching staff, we are as excited to get him back as anybody. He does so many things well. He is one of those intangible guys that falls under the radar sometimes, but very much valued by us.
“His ability to win puck battles, puck races, his skating ability combined with his size and strength, allows us to play with the puck a lot more than without when he’s on the ice. He’s a big part of this club and to get him for two more years is great for everyone involved.”
