COVENTRY Blaze have confirmed the return of American defenceman Alexander Kuqali for the 2023/24 Elite League season.
Stay-at-home blue-liner Kuqali contributed 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 60 Elite League competition games in his first season with Blaze last term.
And 32-year-old Kuqali made almost 300 appearances in the ECHL prior to joining Blaze, most notably with Orlando Solar Beats, Quad City Mallards and Florida Everblades.
Blaze head coach, Danny Stewart, said: “Kuqs was really good for us. He goes about his business quietly, but he was a big part of D-core last season which I think was one of our strengths.
“He is a big presence in the room and a smart hockey guy. He moves the puck and sees the ice really well. He’s a very good hockey player and a great person and we’re excited to have him back.”
Kuqali enjoyed a successful college career in the NCAA at RIT where he won three straight AHA conference titles.
He joins British pair David Clements and Archie Hazeldine and Canadian Blake Thompson on the Blaze blue-line next season.
