COVENTRY Blaze have announced the signing of American defenceman Chase Hartje for the remainder of the 2023/24 Elite League season.
The 24-year-old will turn professional with Blaze after completing four years in USports at the University of Manitoba.
During that time, the two-way blue-liner contributed 45 points (eight goals, 37 assists) in 69 games.
Blaze head coach, Danny Stewart, said: “It was vital to get a capable body in at the deadline to strengthen us at the back and protect the guys that we have.
“Chase is a very good skating, and puck moving defenceman that can help us in all three zones. He adds depth and pace to our backend and we look forward to getting him in this week.”
Hartje spent his junior career in the WHL where, over three seasons, he tallied 73 points (13 goals, 60 assists) in 178 regular season games and two assists in 11 play-off appearances.
Blaze opted to move for the Bemidji native after placing Canadian defenceman James Shearer on long term injury reserve.
Hartje (spoken as Hart-chee) will wear the number 24 jersey for Blaze and could make his debut at the Skydome Arena on Saturday (February 24) against Dundee Stars with the face-off at 7pm.
