Stewart: I could never have imagined Tristan would score 15 in 12!

Photo: Scott Wiggins

Coventry Blaze Head Coach Danny Stewart took media question on Monday morning ahead of his team's Semi-Final series with the Nottingham Panthers starting on Tuesday.

The star of his team so far, and arguable of the 2021 Elite Series, has been forward Tristan Keck, whose 15 goals in 12 games, including a 10-game scoring streak, has made waves both in the UK and further afield.

"I don't want to say that the NCAA Division One is under-estimated in the UK, I think as coaches we certainly know its value, but it's fantastic hockey, and Tristan played in arguably the top conference there - against players who go straight to the AHL if not the NHL," explained Stewart.

"He was a good player at that level so for him to come here and be a top-six guy hasn't surprised me, but obviously, I could never have imagined he'd score 15 goals in 12 games!"

Asked about what he'd seen of Keck before arriving, Stewart revealed that he reminded him of a former player. "He reminded me slightly of Ryan Dingle who I had in Coventry and Fife, in terms of his nippiness and skating, and the way he shoots the puck. There were some similarities there that attracted me to him".

"Tristan is also very good off the puck, he's a big part of our penalty kill, has played big minutes for us there as well."

"He's not under contract for next season - we're sure going to try though!" concluded the Blaze Head Coach.