Norwegian duo Bryhnisveen and Krogdahl strengthen Blaze

Photo: Scott Wiggins / Finn Erikson

Danny Stewart has strengthened his Coventry Blaze roster for the 2021 Eliter Series with the signing of two Norwegian defensemen: Nicolai Bryhnisveen and Max Korgdahl.

29-year-old Bryhnisveen is no stranger to Coventry, having been on their roster in 2018/19 and scoring 44 points in 60 games. He was voted as the team's "Defenseman of the Year" at the end-of-season awards, and won the Blaze's "Goal of the season" voting.

Bryhnisveen scored 14 points in 37 Norwegian top-flight games in 2019/20, and had 17 in 24 games this season before the league was cancelled due to Coronavirus restrictions in the country.

Max Krogdahl comes to Coventry from Frisk Asker, where he has spent his entire career to date. The 22-year-old has played almost 200 games in the Norwegian top-flight and has over 20 points. He won the 2019 playoffs with Frisk, and went on to play for the team in the Champions Hockey League in 2019/20. He is on the 'long list' for Norway's 2021 World Championships squad, and has a wealth of experience representing his country at U18 and U20 level.

Head Coach Danny Stewart said: "We are getting a pair of defencemen that will immediately make us better. Both players come from top teams in Norway and both have National team experience.

"We know Nico very well. He skates so well and plays up and down the ice as well as anyone. He competes very hard and has the ability to play in all situations.

"Max comes to us from a very successful organisation. He’s a big, physical d-man that competes hard and is tough to play against. He was a combined +34 the last two seasons and will partner well with Nico."