The Coventry Blades have appointed Zach Vinnell as assistant coach and added Canadian forward Michael Regush to the club's roster.
Vinnell, who opted out of playing retirement at the age of 26 after winning the Elite League Grand Slam with Sheffield Steelers last season, will take on the role of assistant coach to new Blades manager Kevin Moore.
The Blades also signed Legush, a 25-year-old forward who recently played 17 AHL games and recorded two assists with the Abbotsford Canucks.
Moore said: “Zach first caught my eye when I was working at Indy. He was with me for a few months after he'd finished school and I was really impressed. He's really detail oriented, hardworking, smart and inquisitive.”
We spoke after the recent season ended, and he made it very clear that he really wanted to be a coach. During the interview process, he really impressed me in a lot of ways, and I liked that he was not afraid to challenge me and speak his mind.
“He’s a former defenceman and forward so he will bring experience of playing in that role and is very good at skill development, which is important especially for young English players.”
“He was part of an organization that won the treble in this league last season, so his experience and knowledge of what it takes will be invaluable to share with our players.”
“He's been on a similar path as our players from the NCAA to the pros, so he understands the transition and will help and encourage our players to become the best versions of themselves.”
“I'm really excited to be working with him again.
“We are really pleased to have Mike joining the club, he has spent one season in the AHL which is a great achievement.
“Mike is big, strong, fast and can rip the puck. He has strong defensive habits but has good skill sets that can help him on the power play and in 5-on-5 games.”
“He's good at face-offs and will help us in all areas. Obviously he missed last year with injury issues and although he trained partway through he just didn't find the right environment for himself.”
“He's very motivated and I'm really looking forward to relying on him this season.”
Versatile Canadian player Vinnell began the 2023/24 season with Glasgow Clan before moving to Steelers in December, where he played a key role in helping the Sheffield side achieve a treble of league, Challenge Cup and play-offs.
Vinnell, a defenceman who can also play as a forward, turned professional with the ECHL's Indy Fuel when Blades coach Moore was an assistant coach for the 2022-23 season and the two developed a good relationship.
Vinnell spent most of his NCAA career at Merrimack College (2019-2022), where he earned his bachelor's degree in business administration, before transferring to Bowling Green State University (2022/23) to earn his master's degree.
He previously spent three seasons with the Camrose Kodiaks of the AJHL, serving as an alternate captain and leaving as the franchise's all-time leading points scorer as a defenceman.
A native of Surrey, British Columbia, Legush played for the NHL's Vancouver Canucks in the 2022 Young Stars Classic as a collegiate free agent before being added to the club's training camp roster on an amateur tryout contract.
His stellar performance ultimately earned him a contract with Abbotsford.
Regush is finishing up his 2021/22 NCAA senior season at Miami University of Ohio (NCHC), appearing in 24 games for the Redhawks.
He recorded nine points (three goals, six assists) in his first active season since leaving Cornell University (ECAC) after the 2019/20 season.
During his three years at Cornell, Legush won two Ivy League Championships, two Most Promising Freshman Championships, and two ECAC Regular Season Championships.
Legush played in 89 NCAA games and tallied 42 points (26 goals, 16 assists) at Cornell and Miami (2018-2022).
Regush is a graduate of the Delta Hockey Academy and played two full seasons in the BCHL, appearing in 106 games between the Merritt Centennials and Langley Rivermen and reaching the Clark Cup Final.
