COVENTRY Blaze have added Canadian forward Kelin Ainsworth to their 2018-19 Elite League roster.
The 26-year-old from Thunder Bay spent last season in the Hungarian Erste Liga with Fehervari Titanok where he led the league for points (53) which included 17 goals and 36 assists in 32 regular season games.
He also added four assists in four play-off matches.
Before turning professional, Ainsworth spent two years at Lake Superior State University in the NCAA, followed by four years at Lakehead Univeristy (Usports), where his record read 109 games played, 38 goals, 52 assists for a total of 90 points.
At Lakehead, he was named associate captain and in his final year was awarded Best Offensive Player and Most Valuable Player.
As a junior, the 5ft 10ins winger iced with Traverse City North Stars (NAHL) and was a champion of the SIJHL as part of the Fort William North Stars.
Blaze head coach Danny Stewart said: “Kelin comes to us at a great age.
“He’s a passionate player who is hungry to get better.
“On the ice he will bring a lot of pace up the middle for us.
“He is a very smart player with great playing making ability, but can score as well.
“He’s a good special team’s guy, but also plays the right way off the puck.
“He thinks the game well and that’s important.
“Leading your league in scoring in your first year pro is not something to be ignored either.
“I think we will see a guy that leaves his heart out on the ice. And the more of those the better.”
