Coventry Blaze Head Coach, Paul Thompson has today announced that he has signed Canadian winger, Brad Cruikshank and British netminder, Tom Murdy to new, one year contracts for the 2010/11 Elite League season.
Thompson was quick to swoop for British Columbia native, Cruikshank just ahead of last season's transfer deadline day after the experienced Canadian was released by Elite League rivals, the Sheffield Steelers.
Cruikshank followed his North American minor league career with three and a half seasons with the Basingstoke Bison where, as club captain, he recorded over 60 goals. After signing for the Steelers part way through the 2009/10 season, he netted 20 goals in just over 50 games and helped the Steelers to an Elite League trophy double.
After joining the Blaze in January, Cruikshank posted seven goals in sixteen games, many of them key markers to help the Blaze to their fourth Elite League title in six seasons. His new contract means he will be again be lining up alongside former Basingstoke team mates, Greg Owen and Greg Chambers.
"That was obviously a big factor in bringing Shanker back," said Thompson. "He links up very well with Chambers and Owen to make a formidable line with a little bit of everything. At times, they looked as good as any line in the league last season.
"Brad deserved another contract. Not only is he tough and feisty but he has a nice touch around the net and he does have a knack of scoring big goals. He's a real competitor, very committed and with a real drive to win and that attitude made him very popular with the rest of his team mates in a very short space of time. He actually played with a broken finger for most of his time here with us last season which shows his character. A fully fit Brad is a great member of our hockey club."
"Basically, I'm back to win more trophies with a top class organization," said Cruikshank, who will be combining his playing duties with a course of further education study at Coventry University. "From the coaches through to the front office and everyone else involved, it's a fantastic club to play for.
"The club has great fans and we have a fantastic group in the locker room which makes it fun to come to work every day. "My family and I really enjoyed spending the last two months of the season in Coventry. Of course, the opportunity for me to combine playing with studying for a Masters degree at a quality University like Coventry is fantastic for my future. It will help me in a major way when it comes time for me to enter the business world and I am very grateful to the Club and Coventry University for giving me the opportunity."
Young British goalie, Murdy returns for his second season with the Blaze and will serve as backup to Coventry's new starting keeper, Brett Jaeger. His debut professional season with the Blaze also saw him help the Great Britain under 20 team to win a gold medal and promotion to Division One at December's Division Two World Championships in Debrecen, Hungary.
"It's not always easy being the number two goalie in an Elite League team," added Thompson. "But Tom has a great attitude and work ethic and he knows that his time with us is a very important stage on his way to becoming a starting goalie. He has plenty of talent so we'll be looking to get him a few more starts with our reserve team during the season to bring him on even further."