Ice Hockey
Blaze trio prepared for big night

Buy photos » Ross Venus kept Blaze in the match when he scored to make it 5-4, but it proved not enough for the home team. (S) Photo by Mark Tredgold.

BLAZE coach Paul Thompson has big plans for teenage trio Ross Venus, Matt Selby and Brandon Stones as they take to the ice this evening against Telford Tigers at the Skydome.

Forard Venus, 17, burst onto the scene last season and produced some eye-catching performances during a difficult injury crisis for Paul Thompson's side.

Defenceman Selby, 16, has also had a taste of Elite League action along with Stones who signed for the club in the summer as back up for Peter Hirsch, but all three will feature in tonight's Challenfe Cup match.

“We have big plans for Venus and Selby down the road. They will have bigger parts to play for us next season.

“Ross is a project in progress at the moment, he is a talented kid. He needs to work on his strength and conditioning to compete regularly at Elite League level and that is something we are helping him with.

“Matt is a couple of years behind Ross in his development but he is a gritty, physical player. He is working on his skating and his first pass, which has shown a huge improvement.

“Stoner is really excited about the game. It is the toughest job in hockey being a back-up. He has sat there all season but he has remained motivated and he has a good attitude.

“I hope a lot of the fans can come down and support these young guys. Some of them will be the future of Coventry Blaze. All of the players will be there so fans can come down and chat to them.”

“The likes of Rikki Bryniarski and Josh Nicklin from our ENL team will be playing too. I have been hearing good things about them and it is a chance for them, and all the younger guys, to test themselves at a higher level.”