Coventry Blaze have signed Mitch Cook from Liege Bulldogs for the remainder of the 2021/2022 season.
The 27-year-old forward makes the move from the BeNeLiga where he has played since the season’s start.
He has impressed in Belgium notching up 21 goals and 21 assists in just 19 games played.
This places him third in goals scored in the league and fourth in assists, marking him out as a top player.
The Bulldogs also sit top of the BeNeLiga, losing just five games in 19.
Background
Before his time in Belgium, Cook spent five seasons playing for the University of Calgary.
He iced 139 times for the side across regular season and playoff games, scoring 25 and assisting 33 times.
These contributions meant he was voted joint coaches’ player of the season.
He played alongside current Blaze blueliner Dane Gibson during this time.
Cook had signed for ECHL side Kalamazoo Wings after graduating but due to Covid-19 he had to take a year out.
He then pursued a career in Europe with Liege and has now signed for Coventry.
Coaches’ View
Danny Stewart, Blaze Head Coach said of the new signing: “Mitch is a guy we feel got lost in the shuffle a bit during COVID. He had a really good USports career in a tough conference and got better each year that he was there.
“He has great size, shoots the puck well and has good speed. He’s a right-handed shot that can come in and complement our offence.”
Stewart feels the Winger is one for the long-term, saying: “He’s also another guy we can use in all situations and plays a heavy game. He has a great work ethic and hockey IQ to go with it.
“I feel he will not only add depth to our group, but will be a key guy down the stretch.”
The Blaze have struggled in the offensive zone for a while, making Cook’s arrival in the West Midlands an important one.
A long-term injury to Matthew Thompson and David Broll’s retirement has left Stewart without two key players.
As Stewart notes, Cook enjoyed a fine career at the collegiate level.
However, the level of competition on show in the Elite League is higher than in the Low Countries.
This leaves Blaze fans with one question: how quickly will Cook adapt?
They will find out as he makes his Elite League debut against Guildford Flames on Friday.
