Carlson is in his second spell with Blaze (Mark Tredgold)

Coventry Blaze have secured the services of influential 29-year-old centre Dan Carlson for two more years.

Carlson weighed in with 81 assists and 29 goals last season as Blaze won the Elite League and British Knockout Cup.

Coach Paul Thompson told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire: "Dan Carlson is quite simply the best all-round player.

"When you need someone to kill an important penalty, score a big goal or make something happen on the ice, he's the first person you turn to."

Blaze have already lost the services of Trevor Koenig and Neal Martin during the close season and Thompson was keen to halt the exodus.

Thompson said: "I knew we were going to lose some of our best players to European teams this summer. When we've had the kind of season we did, that's going to happen.

"But the one person I was desperate not to lose was Dan as he would be so hard for me to replace. I'm a very happy head coach right now."