COVENTRY Blaze have captured the services of Norwegian defenceman Nicolai Bryhnisveen for the 2018/19 Elite League season.
The 26-year-old joins the club from HC Dukla Jihlava of the Czech Extraliga where he played 51 times, registering seven points.
Prior, and split by nine games in the Finish Liiga, the 5ft 11ins left-shot blue-liner spent three years in Sweden’s HockeyAllsvenskan.
Beginning at Asplöven HC, followed by Timrå IK, at both clubs he led defencemen for points, finally moving to Tingsryds AIF where he competed in the Kvalserien qualification for a place in the SHL.
In total, his record in Sweden reads 139 games played with 56 points.
A native of Oslo, Norway, his pro-career began with a four-year stint in Norway’s GET-ligaen icing 234 times between Lørenskog and Lillehammer, posting an impressive 105 points.
During that time, he made three playoff semi-finals appearances, and picked up a silver medal in 2011/12.
Throughout his career, which began in the Furuset and then Vålerenga youth system, Bryhnisveen has been a regular pick at international level.
Appearing for the senior Norwegian side on 44 occasions, including at the top level of the World Championships, he has also represented his country and won gold medals at under 18’s and 20’s level.
Blaze head coach Danny Stewart said, “In Nicolai we get a two-way guy that skates very well.
“He is a great puck moving defenceman that will play in all situations.
“Although last season he played a different role in the Czech Extraliga, his whole career, he’s been an important part of his team’s powerplay, and led his team’s defenceman for point-scoring several times at good levels which shows his ability.
“He brings some needed mobility at the back and he comes to us still at a very good age.
“We’re delighted to have him.”