Coventry Blaze have pulled off one of the highest profile signings in the Findus British National League this season.

Big-hitting defenceman, Steve Carpenter, is returning to the Blaze colours after an absence of 4 years.

The 30 year old Canadian from Prince George, British Columbia, first came to the UK in 1996 and made an immediate impact with the Solihull Blaze picking up 74 points and 184 minutes in penalties in 50 games.

At the end of the 96/97 season, Carpenter left to join the Super League Nottingham Panthers where he stayed until the end of the 99/00 season. Last time around, Steve was a member of the all-conquering Sheffield Steelers team that won the Grand Slam in the Super League.

Whilst not one of the biggest players around, standing 5’11” and weighing 185 lbs, Carpenter is reknowned as one of the hardest open-ice hitters in the game in this country and his aggressive attitude to the game will certainly beef up the Blaze blueline.

In addition, Carpenter is much more than just a physical player, also being a big playmaker and a powerplay specialist. Add to this his off-ice leadership qualities and Blaze Head Coach Paul Thompson is understandably delighted to have secured his signature:

“This signing will have our fans on the edge of their seats and opposition forwards on their's too! They will certainly be a little more cautious when entering our endzone as, without doubt, Steve is the best open-ice hitter in the country.

"But he is much much more than that - a great heads up player who will help our transition and he will be a quarter back on our powerplay. Steve also brings a winners attitude to this club moving from the Super League Grand Slam Champion Steelers last term. We really have secured the services of a top calibre all-star defenceman for the next 2 years.

“I am really excited with this signing and have been working long and hard for his signature. It will be great to see him back in a Blaze jersey again!”

Thompson also expects Carpenter to be heavily involved in the administration and coaching side of the team and hopes that his experience and dedication will be passed on throughout the Club.

Operations Director, Grant Charman, confirmed:

“We’re absolutely delighted to get Steve back into a Blaze shirt. I don’t think it’s any great secret that he’s been on Thommo’s wish-list for a couple of years and it really is a mark of how far the Blaze have come that Steve is ready to return to us now.

“I’m sure that he will make a huge impact both on and off the ice in Coventry and he will become a familiar sight in Blaze colours.”