Coventry Blaze have signed Slovenian defenceman Nejc Berlisk .
Twenty-four year old Nejc (pronounced Nates), joins from Slovenian side Team Jesenice who play in the Austrian Second Division.
Berlisk has spent the majority of his professional career playing for Slovenia’s top two clubs and has over 160 games in the Austrian league and over 120 games in the Slovenian League under his belt. The former Slovenian Under 20 international has posted 34 points in 34 games so far this season.
Berlisk will fly to the UK tonight and subject to international clearance will make his debut in Friday evening’s league fixture in Belfast before taking his home bow on Sunday when Edinburgh Capitals visit the Skydome Arena.
“There were a number of clubs, both in the UK and in Europe who were chasing Nejc,” said Blaze Coach Marc LeFebvre to the Blaze website , “so I was really pleased when he decided to join the Blaze for the remainder of the season. He is only relatively young but he has a great deal of professional experience already and I’m sure he will fit into our line up very well.
“He’s played a fairly defensive role for the last few years but he has tremendous offensive upside. Before that, he was a very offensive minded defenceman in the early stage of his professional career and contributed a lot of points. He’s been allowed to play that role again this season to very good effect.
“That’s what I want from him in a Blaze jersey. He skates and moves the puck really well which creates opportunities for forwards on a regular basis. He also has the ability to chip in with goals as well so he ticks a lot of boxes for me.
“The Blaze office are working flat out on the paperwork side of things and hopefully things are looking good for him to join us for the two big games in Belfast.”