Coventry Blaze are pleased to confirm the signing of Canadian defenceman Michael Schutte for the 2012/13 Elite League campaign.
The 32-year-old native of Burlington, Ontario, has spent the majority of the last six years in Europe, winning championships in Germany and Italy as well as helping EC Salzburg lift the Continental Cup.
After playing for Bramalea Blues and Burlington Cougars in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League, Schutte spent three years with the University of Maine in the NCAA, winning two pieces of silverware.
He immediately signed for Springfield Falcons in the American Hockey League and made a total of 192 appearances with spells also at Lowell Lock Monsters, Houston Aeros, Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, Providence Bruins, Norfolk Admirals and Toronto Marlies.
Schutte also iced for Dayton Bombers and Trenton Devils in the ECHL but moved to Germany at the end of the 2006/07 season, helping Grizzly Adams Wolfsburg win the second division title.
Stints with Heilbronner Falken and Schwenninger Wild Wings followed before Schutte joined Salzburg for the 2009/10 campaign.
Schutte returned to America with Odessa Jackalopes in the Central Hockey League but then joined Italian side Sterzing/Vipiteno, helping them clinch promotion from the second division and last season iced for Alleghe.
Coach Paul Thompson said: “Mike fits exactly what I'm looking for - an offensive defenceman with great skills and explosive offensive ability from the back-end.
“He will be a huge contributor on our powerplay and more importantly brings the experience and knowledge and is used to playing big minutes. He is not only a quality addition on the ice but off it too. He is another very big piece of the jigsaw.”
Schutte joins Shea Guthrie, James Griffin, Ross Venus, Sam Smith, Russell Cowley, Peter Hirsch, Matt Selby, Jerramie Domish, Mike Danton, Gerome Giudice, Benn Olson, Mike Egener, Greg Leeb and Brad Leeb on the roster for next season.