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The Coventry Blaze completed a double swoop for forward Jack Hopkins and defenceman Archie Hazeldine from the Nottingham Panthers on Wednesday [24 May].
Hopkins and Hazeldine replace homegrown duo Ross Venus and Alex Forbes in Coventry, with Blaze head coach Danny Stewart retooling his roster after an impressive fifth-place showing last season.
“Jack and Archie are two exciting young players that got some valuable time in the Elite League last season,” explained the Canadian.
“With the loss of Forbes and Venus, it was important to move quickly and find replacements. These two guys don’t have as much experience, but it was important to add British talent and to set the club up for the future at the same time.”
Hopkins and Hazeldine, both aged-19, are products of the junior system in Nottingham and each represented the Panthers on two-way contracts last season.
Hopkins recorded six points (two goals, four assists) in 44 appearances for the Panthers in 2022-23, playing primarily as a fourth-line centre.
The Nottingham-born forward also made 16 appearances for the NIHL Milton Keynes Lightning, for whom he potted 16 points (six goals, 10 assists).
Hopkins produced similar results in the second tier a year earlier, totalling 49 points (16 goals, 33 assists) in 40 appearances for the Telford Tigers.
Hazeldine also spent last season split between the first and second division, helping the Leeds Knights storm to the National League title.
The 6-foot-3 defender made 25 regular-season appearances for the Knights, posting 12 points (four goals, eight assists). He added a further three points (two goals, one assist) in four playoff bows.
Hazeldine was also productive in the Elite League, amassing seven points (all assists) in 42 appearances for the Panthers.
Coventry Blaze will propel Jack Hopkins and Archie Hazeldine to new heights
If you are a young and ambitious ice hockey player from the United Kingdom, you should make it your mission to sign for the Coventry Blaze.
Correction – you should make it your mission to play under Danny Stewart in Coventry.
The Canadian has been involved in the Elite League since the mid-noughties and is still wildly underrated as a coach.
Stewart is especially effective when handed the opportunity to work with the next generation of national team talent.
He worked wonders for Ben Lake, who has since flourished as a Belfast Giants, before coaching Luke Ferrara to the Elite League scoring title.
David Clements has also thrived under Stewart – largely because the Fort McMurray native had the confidence to play him on the penalty kill and powerplay.
Jack Hopkins and Archie Hazeldine put pen to paper in Coventry with the expectation that they will receive similar opportunities to impress.
They will have to work hard for their special team cookies, but the prospect will at least be on the agenda at the Skydome Arena. Unlike at the Motorpoint Arena.
With Alex Forbes and Ross Venus departing, the Blaze needed new homegrown talent for their roster.
Hopkins and Hazeldine, meanwhile, needed a platform to develop their skills in the top flight.
This, in other words, is a match made in heaven.
