The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze welcome Dutch side Tilburg Trappers to the Skydome Arena on Sunday 31 August (5.30pm) for their second pre-season outing.
The Trappers, who compete in Germany’s Oberliga Nord, are no strangers to Coventry, last visiting in pre-season 2016 when Blaze skated to a 6–2 victory (Highlights).
Last season Tilburg topped the Oberliga Nord standings and progressed to the playoff semi-finals. Their 2025/26 roster features several dangerous returning players – as well as a familiar face for Blaze fans.
Ones to watch
- #11 Kobe Roth – The former Blaze forward returns to Tilburg for a second campaign after producing 25 goals and 48 points in 44 regular season games.
- #86 Phil Marinaccio – The Canadian was Tilburg’s leading scorer in 2024/25 with 82 points (31 goals, 51 assists in 42 games).
- Donny van Belkom – Just 17 but bagged two goals against the Lightning in a 9-1 victory for Tilbuerg on Saturday, plus the Man of the Match award.
The Trappers have lost two of their top-five scorers in D’Artagnan Joly (DEL2) and Anthony Rinaldi (ECHL), but Canadian forward Mat McLeod could be an important addition. The 28-year-old previously iced in the Elite League with Belfast Giants and is coming off a 41-point season in the AlpsHL with EK Zell am See.
On defence, the experienced Mike Dalhuisen (36) provides leadership and offensive punch from the blue line, tallying 34 points in 34 games last season. Between the pipes, Cedrick Andree is expected to continue as the starting goaltender after a .897 save percentage and 2.91 goals-against average in 2024/25.
Behind the bench
The Trappers begin a new era under head coach Danny Albrecht, a two-time Oberliga Nord Coach of the Year who joins from Essen Moskitos. Albrecht replaces Todd Warriner, who moved to DEL2 side ESV Kaufbeuren. Blaze fans may remember Albrecht, whose Moskitos side visited the Skydome in pre-season last year.
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