COVENTRY Blaze have announced the return of 27-year-old Canadian forward Mitch Cook for the 2022/23 Elite League season.
Cook registered 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 33 Elite League competition games after joining the Blaze mid-way through last season.
The hard-working winger spent the first half of last season in Belgium with the Liege Bulldog where his 42 points (21 goals, 21 assists) in 19 games ranked fourth in the BeNeLiga and his goals total was third.
Head Coach Danny Stewart said: “Cooky came in after Christmas last season and impressed us from the start. He plays such a good 200-foot game, and has a great hockey mind.
“We started to see some more production from him towards the end of the season and he has that ability. He is dependable in all three zones, and we knew we could put him out there in any situation last year.”
Before turning pro, winger Cook iced five seasons with the University of Calgary in the USports.
In 139 regular season and playoff appearances for the Dinos, Cook amassed 58 points (25 goals, 33 assists).
And in his final season with the University, the right-shooter was named joint coaches’ player of the season.
Cook signed an ECHL contract with Kalamazoo Wings after graduating, but the team were unable to participate in the 2020/21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a year out before pursuing a career in Europe.
Blaze return to the ice on Wednesday, August 31 (7.30pm) against the Nottingham Panthers.
The fixture will be the first of two pre-season games at the Skydome with the Sheffield Steelers coming to Coventry on Sunday, September 4 (5.30pm).
Blaze will also take on the Steelers at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield on Saturday, September 3 (7pm).
The Elite League season begins for Blaze on Saturday, September 10 away at Manchester Storm (7pm).
Blaze’s home opener will be against the Panthers on Sunday, September 11 (5.30pm).
