Coventry Blaze Ice Hockey are off to France after being drawn in the Rouen group in the Continental Cup draw for November
Coventry Blaze will make their second visit to France for the 2010/11 IIHF Continental Cup after Saturday's draw in Budapest Hungary placed the team in the third round at the home of the Rouen Dragons.
The coming season will see the Blaze represent the UK in Europe for the fourth time and for the third season in a row, the UK representative team has been seeded straight through to the third round of the competition - one step away from the prestigious Super Final which will be held in Minsk, Belarus in January.
The third round group will see the Blaze take on the winner of the second round group being played in October in Tilburg, Netherlands, Latvian champions Liepajas Metalurgs and the hosts, Rouen from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th November. The group winners will progress to the Super Final.
Rouen were led to their place in this season's Continental Cup by former Blaze keeper, Trevor Koenig and although he will not be with the French outfit next season, they still represent formidable opposition. Two seasons ago, they were given then honour of hosting the Super Final and finished as eventual Continental Cup Runners Up.
Blaze Chairman, Andy Buxton, who attended the draw with General Manager, James Pease is delighted by the group.
"I don't think we could have hoped for a better outcome from the draw. Rouen will be a fantastic place to go. It's a great city, they are very experienced Continental Cup hosts and it's such an easy place to get to for our supporters. It's going to be a fantastic occasion."
With Rouen being so accessible either by car, train or flying via Paris, Blaze are likely to take a large contingent of supporters to the high profile tournament.
"The last three Continental Cup tournaments we've played in saw huge numbers of Blaze fans travel into Europe to support us and they really helped to make all three events memorable occasions. I really can see more than ever heading to Rouen in November.
Rouen are a very well supported club though and generally sell out their home games so we've already started discussions with them over ticket arrangements for Blaze supporters. They are very excited to have us in their group and will be doing all they can to ensure as many Blaze fans as possible can come to the games."
Two seasons ago, Blaze entered the tournament in the third round and last season, Sheffield Steelers were given the same recognition.
"It's testament to both the standard of the Elite League and the much improved performances of the Great Britain team that once again the UK representative has been seeded straight into the third round. After our 2008 win in Denmark over last season's Champions Salzburg and with the Steelers making the Super Final last season, the IIHF recognise that UK teams now are strong entries in the Continental Cup and it's great that this is being reflected in the seedings."