COVENTRY Blaze have signed American defenceman Ivan Chukarov for the 2025/26 Elite League season.
The 30-year-old joins Blaze from Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL where he enjoyed a career-best season last term.
Chukarov produced 33 points (seven goals and 26 assists) in 67 regular season games.
Blaze head coach, Kevin Moore said: “Ivan is a rangy, skilled defenceman who has great defensive habits.
“He possesses the ability to hold tight gaps and use his stick to create transition.
“He will be a great fit within our team with his competitiveness and grit and I look forward to being able to coach him this season.”
Chukarov spent two seasons with the Iceman and won the club’s defenceman of the year award in his debut campaign with Jacksonville.
The 6ft 2in blue-liner made 298 appearances in the ECHL and also represented Adirondack Thunder and Worcester Railers.
He made a single appearance in the AHL for Utica Comets during the 2022/23 season.
Earlier in his career, Chukarov won the Robertson Cup with the NAHL’s Minnesota Wilderness in 2015.
He was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the seventh round of the 2015 NHL entry draft and later featured in a summer development camp for the Sabres.
