ICE HOCKEY: LATVIAN forward Edgars Bebris has joined Coventry Blaze on a ‘try-out’ deal.
The 26-year-old will join Blaze for the upcoming training-camp and ice in seven pre-season games, which start on August 23 when Blaze host Manchester Storm at the Skydome Arena.
The 6’4” left-shooter has spent the past seven years in the now defunct English Premier League with Sheffield Steeldogs, Peterborough Phantoms and Manchester Phoenix.
During that time, the Aizkraukle native iced in near 400 games, registering almost 350 points.
In 2014/15, his best in the EPIHL, he played a key role in the Phantoms lifting the Playoff title.
Although British trained with the Sheffield Rapiers, Bebris is not a British passport holder.
Therefore, under Elite League rulings, Bebris will count towards the import allocation.
Outside of his UK experience, Bebris has spent time in Latvia with HK Ogre and SK Riga.
Blaze coach Danny Stewart said: “Bringing Edgars in for camp to compete for a spot benefits everyone involved.
“It will create some healthy competition amongst our guys, allows me to take a look at Edgars in game situations at the Elite League level, while also providing another body for a demanding schedule early on.
“He’s big and has a good skill set.
“He’s still young and I look forward to seeing what he can contribute to our group.”
Picture: Phantoms Ice Hockey.