COVENTRY Blaze have confirmed that British forward Ross Venus will return for his 12th season with the club for the 2022/23 Elite League season.
Venus is an associate captain for Blaze and registered 34 points (eight goals, 26 assists) in 66 Elite League games last season.
The 28-year-old ranks second in the club’s all-time appearances list, surpassing the 700-game mark last season with almost 250 points to his name.
Head Coach Danny Stewart said: “V has become a vital part of this club over the years. His past couple seasons have been his best in different ways.
“Last season he was asked to play a bigger role due to injuries and a very tough market. He did so without any hesitation and played very well for us.
“We will look to have him back on the wing this season, but it’s important that he can provide us depth up the middle when needed too.”
Over the past two full seasons, I think there is only two homegrown guys that have had more points, and that production, plus his ability off the puck is key to our depth.”
In 2019/20, the Blaze academy product celebrated a testimonial season by producing his best offensive numbers to date and was awarded with a place in the Great Britain national team for the IIHF Olympic Pre-Qualification tournament and 2021 World Championships held in Latvia.
He was again in Great Britain contention this season, scoring against Italy in the warm-up games for the World Championships.
Venus’ most famous moment in a Blaze jersey came as he registered the game-winning goal to win the Elite League Playoff Championship in 2015.
