COVENTRY Blaze have completed their roster for the 2023/24 Elite League with the signing of Canadian defenceman Josh Burnside.
The 28-year-old joins Blaze following two seasons in the ECHL, most recently with Cincinnati Cyclones where he contributed 13 points (one goal, 12 assists) in 61 regular season games last season.
His arrival means Blaze quintet Colton Yellow Horn, Peyton Frantti, Jack Billings, Tanner Lishchynsky and Garrett Johnston will all depart the club.
Blaze head coach Danny Stewart said: “Josh is a great final addition to the roster. I think he complements what we have already and then some.
“He’s a very smart player that moves well and will contribute on both sides of the puck. He moves the puck well and that’s been a key component for us over the past several seasons.
“He’s had lots of success at every level, and we feel we are getting him at the right time after a good season in Cincinnati.”
Burnside took the USports route before turning professional, spending four seasons at Carleton University where he featured in the USports (OUA East) Second All-Star Team on two occasions.
A forward in his younger years, the now puck-moving blue-liner spent four OHL seasons with Mississauga Steelheads.
With the Steelheads, Burnside became captain and earned an invite to the Toronto Maple Leafs’ prospect camp.
Blaze return to the ice on Saturday, September 9 in a pre-season game against Milton Keynes Lightning with the face-off at 7pm at the Skydome Arena.
