Jordan to be the Hed boy for the Blaze

WITH news that back-up netminder Brython Preece will move on, Coventry Blaze head coach Danny Stewart has signed 21-year-old fellow Brit Jordan Hedley from rivals Milton Keynes Lightning.

Preece, 20, iced eight times for the Genting Casino Coventry Blaze in Elite League and Challenge Cup, becoming a popular figure amongst fans and teammates in support of No.1 goalie Kevin Nastiuk.

His replacement, Hedley, from Walsall, is a product of the MK youth system, In 2013 for the Lightning, he iced 21 times in the English Premier League, going on to be picked for Great Britain’s under-18s.

A further season in the EPL with MK Lightning followed, before taking a step up with his country to the under-20s level.

For 2015/16, Hedley’s education continued under the guidance of vastly experienced Stevie Lyle, then also coach of the EPL’s Swindon Wildcats.

He was again picked for GB under-20s, winning a bronze medal at the World Junior Championship Division1B.

A move back to Milton Keynes followed, and last year, the 6’3 leftcatcher moved up to the Elite Level with the Lightning.

Stewart said: “First of all we want to thank Brython for his time with us.

“He became a popular member of our dressing room and we wish him nothing but the best.

“To replace him though, we wanted somebody with some experience of playing in the Elite League and the demands that brings.

“Jordan reached out informing us that he was not going to return to MK and we quickly got a deal done.

“He’s a big guy and still at a young age to potentially grow as a goalie.

“Our back-up spot is important as we need a team guy in that position who buys in to being a support mechanism for our starter.

“It’s not an easy job in this league. You train a lot knowing the game time won’t come often. You do a lot behind the scenes in that role.

“Jordan is a good pro and a player who puts the needs of his team first.

“We are looking forward to welcoming him on board.”

Hedley said: “I’m very excited to join the Blaze.

“It’s a great organisation and I’ve heard a lot of good things from former players.

“I want to thank Danny Stewart for giving me the opportunity and I can’t wait to get started.”