Coventry Blaze Ice Hockey team have announced the signing of Canadian forward Brenden Walker.
The 23 year-old joins Blaze on the back of two years in the ECHL with Gwinnett Gladiators and Utah Grizzlies where he posted 46 goals and 47 assists for 93 assists in 123 games. Last season, Walker was selected as an ECHL All-Star, scoring in that game. The 6'0" forward had two hatrick's on the season, including one on his Grizzlies' debut and set a Utah season high for five points in a single same with three goals and two assists.
Prior to turning pro, the native of St. Anne, Manitoba dressed for the Brandon Wheat Kings for three years before moving on to the Saskatoon Blades to complete his junior career where he was made Captain. In the WHL he played 269 games scoring 93 goals, 135 assists for 228 points.
Blaze Head Coach, Chuck Weber said, "Brenden is a skilled player. His previous coaches and various scouts told me that he can be a game changer. He has played in two Memorial Cups, last as the captain of Saskatoon. He was a point per-game during the ECHL playoffs last year in Utah and had scored over 20 goals in each of the last five years. He is still a young player with many quality year's ahead of him. Once he gets his feet under him I look forward to him being another player that plays the game the right way while being able to make us tougher to defend."
Director of Hockey James Pease added, "It's fantastic to finally add a forward to the line-up of Brenden's calibre. He is a young guy at the beginning of his career and is hungry for success. We now look to climb the league table and repeat last season's play-off success.
Brenden Walker, who is likely to debut in the away double header vs. Belfast Giants next weekend concluded, "I am very excited. It's a great opportunity. I Can't wait to get this started."