Coventry Blaze have secured the services of American winger Luke Fulghum ahead of the 2009/10 season.

The 29-year-old joins Blaze from Manchester Phoenix, who have dropped out of the Elite League.

Fulghum said: "I'm really excited to be returning to the UK for another season in the Elite League.

"I believe that we are going to be a very talented team and we have a great chance to contend for some silverware this upcoming season."

In his 67 matches for Phoenix, Fulghum smashed in 34 goals and notched up a further 50 assists.

Blaze coach Paul Thompson has already drafted in other new players like Greg Owen, Greg Chambers and Brian Lee as he looks to avoid a second successive season without silverware.

Fulghum continued: "It will be great to play with some of the guys that I played against last season and I'm looking forward to playing with my old team-mate from Stockton, Brian Lee.

I'm really excited to be returning to the UK for another season in the Elite League Luke Fulghum

"It should be an interesting season ahead and I really believe that with the line-up that Paul Thompson is putting together, the fans in Coventry should be really excited.

"I'm looking to make a big contribution to the team next season. I feel I'm strong, both on scoring and on moving the puck around and I hope that this can help get the team back to a title-winning level.

"I think I had a good season in Manchester on a sixth-place team so by moving up the table to Coventry, I'm looking to contribute even more."

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