GENTING Casino Coventry Blaze are delighted to announce the return of Canadian forward duo David Broll and Evan Bloodoff for the 2020/21 Elite League season.
‘Brolldozer’ Broll contributed 21 points in 43 Elite League competition games for Blaze last season, helping the club to its most successful campaign in many years.
The 27-year-old who stands at 6ft 2in became a real favourite with supporters and team-mates. Known for his big presence on and off the ice, he was named Clubman of the Year for the 2019/20 season and his leadership skills acknowledged by being rewarded with an associate captaincy.
Before arriving in Europe, Broll was a regular at the AHL level, playing more than 300 regular season and Calder Cup play-off games, most notably for Toronto Marlies, Syracruse Crunch, St. John’s IceCaps and Laval Rockets.
He was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in round 6 (152nd overall) of the 2011 NHL draft, going on to sign a three-year entry-level contract and playing five games for the famous club in the world’s best league during 2013/14.
Other notable highlights so far for Broll have been being selected to the ECHL’s All-Star game (2014/15) and in 2016/17 he was named St. John’s IceCaps Speciality AHL Man of the Year.
Bloodoff – Broll’s housemate in Coventry – will also return for a second season with Blaze and his fourth in the Elite League, having originally joined from Scottish side Fife Flyers.
The 29-year-old registered 22 goals and 13 assists in his debut season, helping the club to third place before the season was cut short at 48 games. He also scored an impressive five goals and made two assists in nine Challenge Cup appearances.
Throughout his time in the UK, Bloodoff has consistently been among the league’s top offensive producers – scoring 62 goals and 35 assists for 97 points in 110 Elite League competition games for Fife.
In 2017/18 he lifted the Gardiner Conference trophy and in both years with Fife helped them to a post-season play-off spot – something they looked unlikely to achieve without him.
Notably in 2014/15, Bloodoff scored 20 goals and a total of 32 points as he helped Florida Everblades to the Eastern Conference Championship.
