New signing Josh Godfrey excited by Coventry Blaze challenge - The Leamington Observer

New signing Josh Godfrey excited by Coventry Blaze challenge

Leamington Editorial 21st May, 2015 Updated: 28th Oct, 2016   0

JOSH Godfrey has spoken of his excitement after joining Blaze from Norwegian side Sparta Sarpsborg.

The 27-year-old brings more championship winning experience having played a major role helping Team Canada to win gold at the IIHF World Under 20 Championships in 2008 where he picked up five assists.

He was a second round draft pick of the Washington Capitals in 2007 and a hugely successful spell with the South Carolina Stingrays of the East Coast Hockey League in 2008/09 saw him win the Kelly Cup Championship.

Godfrey moved to Europe for the 2013/14 season, signing for Landshut Cannibals of the DEL2 League in Germany where he posted 46 points in 68 games, helping the Cannibals to the play off semi finals alongside current Blaze goaltender Brian Stewart.




Last season he helped Sparta Sarpsborg to their best season for five years, finishing in 3rd place in the league behind Champions Hockey League sides, Stavanger and Storhamar.

“I’m very proud to be joining the Coventry Blaze for the next two years,” said Godfrey, who will combine his playing duties with a course of study at Coventry Business School.


“They are a top quality hockey club and I’m grateful to both the team and Coventry Business School for giving me the opportunity to further my education at the same time as playing for the team.

“I just couldn’t pass on the opportunity to play for a first class organisation and learn at a top class University.

“I’m really looking forward to playing with Brian Stewart again. I’ve played both with and against him and I know how he can change a game. It will be good to be on the same side again.

“I’m also well aware of what Chuck Weber brings to a team. My first two years pro in South Carolina, I played against him when he was in Cincinnati and we each beat one another en route to championships in consecutive seasons. I really am very excited to be joining him in Coventry.”

Blaze head coach Weber is delighted with the capture of Godfrey, he added: “Josh is a premier offensive defenceman who is highly effective in making either the first pass or exiting the zone with possession.

“He is very skilled at creating offence from the blue line and is always a big threat to score from the blue line with his huge shot.

“I coached against him for two seasons and he was someone who we always had to be aware of whenever he was on the ice.”

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