The Coventry Blaze are continuing to make moves this offseason — and now have only two positions to fill.
On Wednesday [30 July], the Skydome Arena side announced the signing of forward Sam Ruffin.
The American arrives in the Elite League after recording 25 points (eight goals, 17 assists) in 26 Southern Professional Hockey League appearances for the Huntsville Havoc.
Before his stint in the fourth tier of North American hockey, Ruffin made 44 ECHL appearances for the Indy Fuel and Adirondack Thunder, recording 11 points (three goals, eight assists).
“I’ve known Sam for a long time and I know what he can do if given the opportunity,” said Blaze head coach Kevin Moore, who coached the 26-year-old in college.
“He has good speed and plays a sound 200-foot game.
“Sam also has great habits and I’ll look to use him in a variety of roles this season. I’m excited to coach him for a second time and have him here in Coventry.”
Adrian College alumni Sam Ruffin joins Kevin Moore in Coventry
Before entering the professional ranks, Ruffin developed his game in the NCAA — first at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, then at Adrian College.
Sam Ruffin, Coventry Blaze (Image: Induy Fuel)
The Indiana-born forward tallied eight assists in 29 appearances for Alaska-Fairbanks as a college freshman, but transferred out of the NCAA’s top league the following summer.
Ruffin spent the next four seasons at Adrian College, for whom he scored 136 points (50 goals, 86 assists) in 102 NCAA III games.
Ruffin helped the Bulldogs capture three NCHA Championships, before winning the Division III National Championship in 2021-22.
During that championship run, he was named Tournament MVP and earned a place in the NCHA All-Conference Team.
Analysis: Coventry Blaze take bold swing on Sam Ruffin
The Blaze continue to bet on talents produced in the NCAA III.
Ruffin is the third Adrian College alumnus to arrive in Coventry this summer, following netminder Dershahn Stewart and forward Artem Buzoberya.
And his addition is by far the least conventional.
Buzoberya broke out as a dependable top division scorer in his final collegiate season.
Stewart starred as an Adrian Bulldog — and will play a sheltered role behind presumptive starter Mat Robson.
Ruffin, by contrast, arrives with minimal professional experience and a low-scoring run at Alaska-Fairbanks as a college freshman.
Despite his glowing NCAA III output, there are real question marks over his ability to produce at the professional level, with his ECHL leading him a step lower to the SPHL.
Moore believes, based on his past experience working with Ruffin, that he will succeed if given the right opportunity.
And he might be right.
Alessio Luciani joined Coventry straight from Adrian College, scored 34 points in his first professional season, and exploded for 59 points in 54 games last term.
Luciani’s collegiate record is similar to Ruffin’s — 153 points (54 goals, 99 assists) in 107 games.
Will Ruffin follow in the Canadian’s footstep? Time will tell.
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