Coventry Blaze Ice Hockey Club have confirmed that Matt Soderstrom will be part of their coaching set-up for the 2011/12 Elite League campaign.
The 34-year-old Swede has enjoyed nine seasons with the club across two spells and is the last remaining player from the Solihull days.
Soderstrom was also the first overseas player to register 500 games for the club and has won five major titles during his time with Blaze.
Coach Paul Thompson has revealed Soderstrom will be an assistant coach alongside Luc Chabot with responsibilities for the defence.
He said to the Blaze official website: “Matty is Blaze through and through and he has all the right attributes to get into coaching.
“I know I can work with Matty and trust him and he knows the way I coach too. I dipped his toes into it last year and he reacted well to certain situations. I feel he is ready to take on the challenge.
“He will work heavily with the ‘D’ and he will be accountable for certain things in the team which he must bring on a daily basis. He is excited by the opportunity to work with Luc and myself.”
Meanwhile, Thompson has confirmed he has not offered contracts to Brian Lee, Brad Zanon, Sean Selmser, Greg Chambers, Brad Cruikshank and Jeff Smith while Jason Robinson has retired.
Thompson added: “We are looking to rebuild and once again challenge, I felt we needed to freshen things up.”
Coventry Blaze have confirmed British teenager Brandon Stones will be the back-up goaltender for the 2011/12 Elite League campaign.
With fellow youngster Tom Murdy opting for a move to English Premier League side Swindon Wildcats, coach Paul Thompson has turned to Stones to fill the void.
The 18-year-old started playing for Nottingham Leopards in 2008 and after two seasons moved to Sheffield Steelhawks which also saw him ice for Sheffield Steelers.
Stones made three appearances for Edinburgh Capitals too last term and represented Great Britain Under-18s. He will be back-up to Danish star Peter Hirsch, who has returned to the Skydome this summer.
Thompson has also revealed two members of the BlazeAcademy - defenceman Matthew Selby and netminder Adam Goss - will be involved with the senior team next season.
Thompson said: “Brandon is a bit behind Tom Murdy, I won’t deny that, but he has a lot of potential and it is a great opportunity for him to come and learn from Hirschy and improve as a goalie. Matt and Adam will also join the team when they are not involved with the ENL side.
“Matt is a young defenceman who also has potential. He won’t be 16 until later in the summer but he has played for England and he is one we hope to develop and nurture like we did with Ross Venus last season.
“Adam is a young goalie who we will use in the same situation as Matt. He will be getting ice time in the ENL but we will bring him into the group when we can and he will be used as a back-up on occasion.
“These are three young kids we want to bring on, we believe in them and we are looking forward to seeing a lot more of them.”