ICE HOCKEY: CANADIAN defenceman Kevin Noble has said coach Danny Stewart has had a big impact on his decision to re-sign for the Coventry Blaze for a third season.
Noble put pen to paper earlier this week to re-sign for Blaze on a one-year contract following two seasons with the club.
A popular skater, Noble’s re-signing has been warmly welcomed by fans after news broke earlier in the week that eight key players had left the club – including Brian Stewart, Barry Almeida, and TJ Syner.
The 29-year-old, who joined Blaze in 2015 from ECHL side Tulsa Oilers, surpassed 100 games played in a Blaze shirt during last season’s campaign.
In his debut season, Noble played an important part in Blaze reaching the Elite League playoff final before jetting off to Australia to represent Team Canada in the Wayne Gretzy Ice Hockey Classic.
Currently completing an Msc from Coventry University, the 6’1″ skater was named best defenceman at the club’s end of season awards show.
Noble said he has tremendous faith that coach Stewart is the right man for the job, despite Blaze failing to reach the end of season playoffs for the first time in the club’s history last year.
He said: “I am very pleased to be back with the Blaze next season.
“I have grown fond of the city, the organisation and especially our great fans.
“As a team we certainly have unfinished business and I look forward to the challenge ahead.
“I also want to take this opportunity to say I have all the faith and respect in our coach Danny Stewart.
“He was a big reason in my decision to re-sign in Coventry.
“Every player would agree Danny has the respect of all his players.”
Coach Danny Stewart said Kevin is a player who brings character to the Blaze both on and off the ice.
He added: “He is a guy we know is going to battle every night.
“He’s tough to play against, and that’s an area we will look to improve this off-season.
“I want guys I can count on from day one, and I never question that with Kevin.
“I look forward to working with him again this season.
“He is a great piece to our roster early on in the summer.”
Photo: Scott Wiggins Photography.
