Tom Watkins has been with Blaze for eight seasons (Mark Tredgold)

Coventry Blaze Great Britain international Tom Watkins is set to become the first man to play for the club for 10 consecutive seasons.

The 30-year-old has got his wish to continue to play under national coach Paul Thompson by signing a new two-year contract with Blaze.

Watkins told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire: "It was important to stay where I was, which is Paul's team.

"He knows my game as well as anybody and has a lot of time for me."

The forward joined Blaze in 2000, the season they moved to Coventry and has played 550 times for the club scoring 111 goals and making 155 assists.

Last season's Elite League title and British Knockout Cup triumphs took Watkins' trophy haul with Blaze to nine.

Watkins, who will link up with GB colleagues Leigh Jamieson and Ben O'Connor at the Skydome next season, has faith in Thompson's judgement when it comes to drafting in imports.

"I know absolutely nothing about who's available, it's not my job," he said. "Obviously it's down to Thommo and I think he's done very well over the last few seasons in finding the correct players for the team.

"You've just got to look at some of the quality players he's brought over and some of the championships we've won with those players."