BREAKING: Danny Stewart extends Coventry Blaze tenure

Coventry Blaze have announced that Danny Stewart has committed his future to the Skydome Arena outfit by signing a contract extension following the club’s third-placed finish in 2019/20. Stewart, who made 248 appearances as a Coventry player, was appointed Blaze head coach in 2016.

The Fort McMurray native led the Blaze to their highest league finish since winning the title 2009/10, ending the season third in the standards before the Elite League season was curtailed by the COID-19 pandemic.

Stewart’s side were the inform team throughout the second half of the season, finishing the campaign on a streak of seventeen matches without defeat in regulation time, losing only twice in regulation time in their last 27 games.

The 2019/20 season also saw Ross Venus return to the national team roster

In what was a memorable season for the whole organisation, Luke Ferrara, Janne Laakkonen and C.J. Motte each ended the year as the league’s leading goalscorer, assist-maker and goalie respectively. The 2019/20 season also saw Ross Venus return to the national team roster in his testimonial season with the Blaze, ending the season with a career-high fifteen goals and 22 assists.

While icing for the Blaze between 2006 and 2010, Stewart was a part of the most successful period in the Blaze’s history, winning the Elite League Championship on three occasions, while also securing the Challenge Cup and Knock-Out Cup during his time with the club.

We would like to take this time to thank Danny for everything he does

– Andy Buxton

Blaze chairman Andy Buxton said: “We have a huge amount of admiration for the commitment and dedication that Danny brings to his very broad role with the club. Like everyone, Danny especially, we are all so disappointed that the abrupt end to the season means we are all talking about what might have been, rather than what was.

“He has been an outstanding leader, motivator and coach. He understands the club, our constraints and our dynamics, and works tirelessly to keep moving things forward.

“We would like to take this time to thank Danny for everything he does, and we are delighted that he will be with us for the foreseeable future.”

Reaction: Danny Stewart is the perfect fit for Coventry Blaze