Kevin Moore doesn’t lack intensity.
The American, set for his second season behind the bench with the Coventry Blaze, returns for preseason after a summer of non-stop hockey.
“As always, the summer was great,” says Moore.
“Before I became a head coach and director of hockey [operations], where I’m recruiting an entire team, I would usually be traveling around the US, South America, or Europe and just talking to strangers, seeing the world, and sometimes working a hockey camp.”
But life as the hockey decision-maker in Coventry doesn’t allow for a change in pace – not in an offseason where visa rules force him back to the United States, despite his lack of a full-time address.
“I don’t actually have a home,” Moore explains with a laugh.
“Coventry is my home, but I have to leave the country each summer for my visa.
“I’ve been all over the place, seeing old bosses and learning some different hockey things… it’s a mix of making up for lost time with people care about, seeing new places, and just spending all day and night on the phone, talking to potential signings.”
From NCAA to the Elite League: Kevin Moore’s secret weapon
Adrian College is mentioned repeatedly in our conversation: first as Moore details the summer speedrun that saw him reconnect with former colleagues and coaches; then as he forcefully defends the NCAA III’s standard of play.
Kevin Moore, Coventry Blaze (Image: Scott Wiggins)
“There’s a lot of us who have been around that level,” says Moore of his current Coventry Blaze roster and backroom team, which includes five former NCAA III prospects.
“When I was recruiting at Adrian, we were such an established programme that we could tell recruits that the only difference between us and the bottom-end D-I teams is how much swag you get – and I really believe that.
“It’s only getting better where the top twenty D-III teams are just as good as the bottom twenty D-I teams. We also shouldn’t get caught up in the numbers: there is no D-II [in men’s hockey] and the classifications are based on whether the schools offer athletic scholarships or not.
“There is no difference between high-end D-III games and [lower-level D-I play]: the arenas are just smaller and the players are given less swag.”
59-point scorer Alessio Luciani provides the blueprint:
Moore’s belief in D-III talent is unshakable – and his offseason moves prove it.
Coventry’s roster includes a slate of D-III products: Alessio Luciani, who erupted for 59 points in 54 Elite League appearances last season, plus new arrivals Artem Buzoberya, Sam Ruffin, and Dershahn Stewart.
Colton Bates, recently appointed as Moore’s assistant coach, also played in D-III.
Alessio Luciani, Coventry Blaze (Image: Scott Wiggins)
“It translates to this league and it translates to the ECHL,” Moore continues.
“I intimately know that level, so I know what role a player can jump over to. If you’re watching a D-I fourth-liner, you might sit there and think he can make the jump as a middle-six player. Whereas another coach might sign a player from D-III and pigeonhole them as a fourth-liner – and that player then never gets the chance he deserves.
“Luciani is a great example of that. If people are just going off their perception of D-III, maybe he’s never given the chance to be a top-six guy. Because I know his battle level, it’s a pretty easy jump if you’re coming from a programme like Adrian. They practice at such a high pace, four times a week, so the development is just better.
“Not to rant on about D-III, but it’s something I’m passionate about. There are really good players there who are playing twenty minutes a night versus eight minutes a night for a fourth-line guy in D-I. That ice time just compounds itself every year. I try not to sleep on leagues and players – those athletes are incredible and I’m happy to be coaching them.”
Kevin Moore: ‘The whole team is going to contribute’
But it hasn’t been a plain-sailing summer for the Blaze, who have seen four of their top five scorers from last season seek pastures new in free agency.
“Chase Gresock, Nick Seitz, Michael Regush, and Brandon Alderson combined for ninety-one goals in 2024-25,” I say cautiously. “Where are goals going to come from this year?”
Moore’s response is instantaneous.
“From the team,” he says, knocking back my pointed question.
“If you asked anybody last year where all of our goals were going to come from, would anyone have predicted that? No. Alderson, for sure. And the reason we’ve been able to recruit talented guys this year was because a guy like Aldy gave us instant credibility.
“Certainly, I had friends tell me about the comments on the internet last year, when people were asking the same question.
“I expect Luciani to have a great year, I expect Grant Mismash to light it up, and I expect us to score more from the backend this year: I think we’re more offensively gifted on the blueline. Elijiah Barriga has been a point-per-game player for the last two seasons and I think Jack Hopkins is going to take a big step and pot some more goals.”
Former Belfast Giants Elijiah Barriga will suit-up for the Coventry Blaze in 2025-26 (Image: William Cherry)
In most cases, that would be the end of the answer. But not for the relentless Moore.
“The whole team is going to contribute in that,” he continues, “and that’s okay and that’s how I really want it. I want our depth to be our strength and I think we’re a deeper offensive team this year.”
Kevin Moore: ‘I still think the Elite League is slept on’
The New Jersey native is similarly passionate about his views on the Elite League and its place in the hockey ecosystem.
Moore spent six years coaching in collegiate circles before taking his first step into the professional ranks as an assistant coach with the ECHL’s Indy Fuel in 2022-23.
The Nottingham Panthers made him their assistant coach for the following season, with Moore credited widely for his leadership in the wake of Adam Johnson’s death.
When the Panthers prized Danny Stewart away from the Skydome Arena, Coventry responded by making Moore their bench boss – a decision he quickly vindicated by leading the team to a fifth-place finish.
Kevin Moore, Coventry Blaze (Image: Scott Wiggins)
“I still think the Elite League is slept on,” Moore says in reply to a question about the free agency market.
“In North America, I think people are realising how great this league is. But I’m not sure whether the rest of Europe understands how fast, how skilled, and how great this league is.
“I just think we’re an incredibly underrated league and that’s the thing to highlight – not the comparison. I think we’re one of the best leagues in the world and having fifteen imports is a big reason for that. To me, we’re just as attractive as any league.”
Why Kevin Moore only has eyes for the Coventry Blaze:
And there is plenty for Elite League fans to look forward to this season.
After a dismal five-win campaign last season, the Fife Flyers look to be heading back in the right direction, while the established ‘top four’ continue to strengthen.
I ask Moore to identify the team – or teams – catching his eye this offseason, citing the Flyers as an example.
But he only has eyes for Coventry.
“Jamie [Russell of the Flyers] is a great coach – all of the coaches are really good in this league,” he explains.
“I just think from top to bottom, the whole league has gotten better, including ours. Every team is better this year and that’s really exciting and cool. I love that challenge and I love the competitiveness: we’ve got to be the best versions of ourselves every night.
“I don’t think one particular roster has caught my eye: the one that I love the most is my own.”
Mat Robson, Coventry Blaze (Image: Scott Wiggins)
And there is a lot to like about Moore’s team.
Despite losing a string of key forwards, the Blaze are quietly confident heading into preseason.
Jere Vertanen adds size and puck-moving ability to Coventry’s blueline, while Dershahn Stewart provides much-needed support to starting netminder Mat Robson (above) – who played all but thirteen minutes of the previous season.
“I think the biggest difference this summer was that some agents were more open to talking about some of their better guys with us – at least that’s the sense I got,” Moore explains.
“In year-one, I felt like nobody really knew who I was or what I would do – and we did a really good job developing players. Agents always want the best for their clients and I feel like [our player development last season] has made a difference.”
For Kevin Moore and the Coventry Blaze, is the best yet to come?
Finally, I ask Moore for his perspective on his first season in Coventry – now that the dust has settled.
“It was a really positive learning year for me – it was a good step in terms of establishing what our identity is and what to expect from a team coached by me,” he answers with trademarked zip.
“I felt like we made the city proud. It’s always funny with our league, where the champion is decided in the regular-season. Feedback [to me] was that where we finished was a great achievement and I’m proud of the team for that.
“I’m particularly proud of the fact that we didn’t let up once we knew our ceiling. Statistically, we knew in February that winning the league was out of the picture, but we stayed at the same level of compete when some teams can get complacent once they fall away from the chase.
“But I’m a competitive guy. I try to have perspective and be realistic about it being a good year, but I always want more and you never want to be satisfied.”
As I said, Kevin Moore doesn’t lack intensity. And the Blaze are better for it.
Further reporting to follow.
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