COVENTRY Blaze have announced the double signing of British forward Jack Hopkins and defenceman Archie Hazeldine from Elite League rivals Nottingham Panthers.
Hopkins and Hazeldine, both aged 19, are bright prospects and make up Blaze’s British contingent for the 2023/24 season along with David Clements, Nathan Ripley and Will Bray.
Forward Alex Forbes, who has spent the last four seasons with Blaze, has opted to move on for the 2023/24 campaign.
Head Coach Danny Stewart said: “Jack and Archie are two exciting young players that got some valuable time in the Elite League last season.
“With the loss of Forbes and [Ross] Venus, it was important to move quickly and find replacements.
“These two guys don’t have as much experience, but it was important to add British talent and to set the club up for the future at the same time.”
Both Hopkins and Hazeldine came through the Nottingham junior system before turning professional with the Panthers on two-way deals with NIHL clubs.
Hopkins returned from a year at under-17 level in Germany with ES Weißwasser to sign for the Panthers and Telford Tigers in 2020/21.
He then spent last season on a two-way deal with Nottingham and Milton Keynes Lightning.
Hazeldine, a 6ft 3in blue-liner, played his first professional season with the Panthers last term on a two-way deal with Leeds Knights who he has represented for the past two seasons.
Both players have represented Great Britain at under-18 and under-20 level and recently won a silver medal at the IIHF under-20 World Championship Division II Group A.
