Rising Brits pen two-way Blaze deals

THE Genting Casino Coventry Blaze have agreed two-way contracts with three young British players for the 2017/18 Elite League season.

Renny Marr, who was Blaze’s back-up goalie last season, will join Swindon Wildcats teammate Oliver Stone, along with Jordan Stokes who continues his two-way deal with the club.

Nineteen-year-old netminder Marr spent two seasons on a full-time contract in Coventry before taking up an opportunity for more ice time with Swindon in the NIHL for the 2017/18 season.

The Scot has iced in more than ten Elite League games and is the current number one for Team GB under-20s.

Defenceman Oliver (Ollie) Stone, 18, graduated through the Okanagan Hockey Academy as an associate Captain before signing a full-time deal with his hometown club Swindon, where last season he iced 38 times.

Defenceman Jordan Stokes will remain on a two-way contract with the Blaze with his parent NIHL club to be announced in due course.

The 18-year-old who is a product of the Coventry Blaze Academy and spent last season with the Hull Pirates in the EPL, playing in near 60 games. During the year, Stokes also featured in several Blaze pre-season and Elite League games, and is a selection for GB U18s.

All three players will spend most their time next season playing in the NIHL but will also train regularly with the Elite League Blaze team and be available for selection where possible.

Blaze head coach Danny Stewart said, “To get some young kids involved on two-ways is hugely beneficial to us and the players. In Renny (Marr) we get a goalie who is familiar with Coventry. He has done a great job as a back-up for us the past couple seasons, but now is time for him to get more game time.

“Jordan Stokes and Oliver Stone are both up-and-coming players who have played for the national team at different levels. The ability to train with the club during parts of the season and see what the Elite League guys do, day-in and day-out, is great for their development and future.”