COVENTRY Blaze have signed Canadian defenceman Andrew Nielsen for the 2026/27 Elite League season.
The 29-year-old has played more than 450 professional games in a distinguished career.
Nielsen was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third round (65th overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
The 6ft 4in blueliner spent last season in the ECHL with the Maine Mariners.
He recorded 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) in 37 games for the Mariners.
Blaze head coach, Kevin Moore said: “Andrew plays a hard, heavy game and is a good puck mover who will make an immediate impact on our power play.
“He brings invaluable experience and a proven winning pedigree to our group.
“We are excited to welcome Andrew to Coventry.”
Nielsen spent two full seasons in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies where he won the Calder Cup Championship in 2018.
He was traded to the Calgary Flames where he joined Stockton Heat. He played further AHL games with Hershey Bears and Tuscson Roadrunners.
Nielsen has iced in more than 150 games in the ECHL for the likes of Utah Grizzlies, Cincinnati Cyclones, Allen Americans, Worcester Railers and Maine Mariners.
He featured in the 2022/23 ECHL all-star game.
And Nielsen has also played in Norway with Valerenga, Slovakia with HC Banska Bystrica and Sweden at Sodertalje SK.
Nielsen will wear the number six jersey for the Blaze during the 2026/27 Elite League season.
