COVENTRY Blaze Head Coach Danny Stewart has completed his 2022/23 Elite League roster with the signing of Canadian defenceman Brady Norrish.
The 29-year-old joins the Blaze following a season in the Elite League with rivals Nottingham Panthers where he was an associate Captain.
In 54 regular season games, the right-shooting blue-liner contributed 18 points (three goals, 15 assists) plus two assists in 13 Challenge Cup and playoff games.
Stewart said: “Getting Brady to fill out our defence is massive. He’s a top pairing guy that does everything well. He’s not the tallest, but he plays very heavy and is a very strong kid.
“He skates well, defends well and plays in all situations. On top of his on ice ability, he’s a first class teammate and person.
“We wanted to build a heavier back end, without giving up too much mobility, and adding him does that.”
Well respected for his two-way ability, Norrish spent a year out during the COVID-19 pandemic which followed a season in 2019/20 when he was voted an ECHL All-Star.
From 2018-20, the Strongfield,SK, native racked up 58 points (15 goals, 43 assists) in 116 ECHL regular season games and four assists in ten playoff games with the Idaho Steelheads. He also enjoyed 13 games in the AHL with the Texas Stars.
Norrish’s junior career was spent in the NCAA with RIT (Rochester Inst. of Tech.) where over four seasons he registered 55 points (11 goals, 44 assists) in 100 games.
A Captain throughout his time with the college, Norrish was twice a NCAA (AHA) Champion (2015 and 16) and three times selected to one of the All-Conference Teams.
His personal honours included winning the Art Thomas Leadership Award in 2017/18 and sharing RIT’s Greg Moss Hard Hat Award for grit and determination in 2015/16.
Norrish has also won the SJHL title twice with the Yorkton Terriers (2013 and 14) where he played for three full years.
The Blaze will return to the ice with two exhibition games at the Skydome Arena on Wednesday, August 31 (7.30pm) vs Nottingham Panthers and Sunday, September 4 (5.30pm) vs Sheffield Steelers.
The 2022/23 Elite League regular season will begin with an away game against the Manchester Storm on Saturday, September 10 (7pm) before the Panthers return to the Skydome on Sunday, September 11 (5.30pm).
