Coventry Blaze have confirmed forward Ross Venus has penned a new two-year deal with the club.

The 21-year-old has already played over 350 Elite League games for Coventry after coming through the club’s academy system.

His form with Blaze earned a call-up to the senior Great Britain squad for the Olympic pre-qualifiers in Italy and the World Championship tournament in Croatia.

Venus said: “I’m excited to be back – it’s the club I’ve been at since I was 16.

“They gave me the opportunity to begin with and I see that as the place that I can keep improving the most and help me get into the GB squad more often and become a better player.”

Director of Hockey Operations, James Pease, added: “We’re very pleased to welcome Ross back for another season.

“We took him on as a project out of the Blaze academy all those years ago and I believe the work he and the club have put into his development is now coming to fruition.

“People forget Ross is still only 21-years-old.

“His understanding of the game and play away from the puck is far ahead of his age and we are thrilled with how he has developed and committed himself to being one of the best penalty killers in the Elite League.”

(Image permission: Scott Wiggins)