Blaze's Dan Carlson To Retire

Last updated : 21 March 2011 By PM

American forward Dan Carlson, 31, is returning home after six for the Coventry Blaze. 

Carlson joined Blaze at the start of the 2004/05 season and made an immediate impact by helping the team win the Grand Slam of League, Challenge Cup and play-off titles in his first campaign.

It was also the start of his formidable AC/DC strike partnership with Adam Calder that became the most prolific in Elite League history.

After a season with Munich in Germany, Carlson returned to the club at the start of the 2006/07 season and has since captured three more Elite League titles, a further Challenge Cup and a British Knockout Cup.

On March 5 2011, he became the first player in Elite League history to register 500 points in domestic competitive games and remains the league's all-time leading point-scorer.

In his 400-plus games for Blaze, he is Coventry's all-time leading scorer, having this season surpassed Calder's previous record of 535 points in all games on February 5.

“DC is not only one of this club's all-time greats but he is without doubt one of the finest players to ice in the Elite League,” said Blaze head coach Paul Thompson to the Blaze website.

“You only have to look at his trophy cabinet to realise what an impact he has had on this club since he came here. Eight titles and a string of individual records and awards show he really is one of the best and we will miss him enormously when he goes.

“He has a young family now and it has come to that point in his life where he wants to go back home and start the next chapter in his life and we really wish him all the very best.

“It will be a little sad to see him skate out for the final time at the Skydome on Sunday but I want the game to be one where everyone can show their appreciation for all he has done for this club.

“There would be no better way for him to bow out at the Skydome than with a win that would take us through to the Final Four. I'm sure all the team will be doing all they can to make that happen.”

The Blaze fans are planning to give a minutes applause for the number 26 in the 26th minute of the Play-Off Semi-Final against Belfast Giants on Sunday at the Sky Dome.

Tickets are on sale for the game.