The two teams for the Ross Venus Testimonial were selected by Team Captain’s Danny Stewart (Blue) and James Pease (White) at a fantastic draft pick event at The Golden Cross. The teams are as follows for the testimonial game starting at 7.30pm on Tuesday 25th February.
When: Tuesday 25th February with a 7.30pm face-off (Doors open 6.45pm)
Where: Skydome Arena, Croft Rd, Coventry CV1 3AZ
What is it?: A fun night to celebrate #59 Ross Venus’ ten years with the Coventry Blaze
How much is it to come?
Adults: £12
Under-16’s: £7
Concessions (OAP/Student): £10
How do I get tickets?
They can be purchased ONLINE by calling 02476 630693 or visit the SkyDome box office.
Match sponsor: Taylors Butchers have been the long-time Blaze sponsor of Ross Venus, and continue their fantastic support of him by agreeing to be the testimonial game sponsor.
What’s happening?:
The current Blaze team, and a load of past favourites have been selected to two teams (see here) by captain’s Danny Stewart and James Pease.
On the night of the testimonial, the teams will play two periods of 20 minutes to gain bragging rights over the other. The teams will be coached by Paul Thompson and Keeno.
In the first period break, five players as voted for by fans will take part in a Southam Agricultural Services on-ice musical chairs game (read more).
After the second period, both teams will then compete in the West Midlands Leisure Ltd shoot-out challenge and the two losers will either be egged or have a bucked of ice dumped over their head (read more).
Then around 9.45pm-10pm, everyone can jump on the ice with all of the players for a 30 minute skate session during which the players will be happy to give autographs and have photos taken (read more).
If you need to hire skates, you can via the Planet Ice Skate Hut for £3.
Southam Agricultural Services game-worn jersey raffle:
#59 Ross Venus special GOLD testimonial jersey straight off his back and presented to you on the ice. Tickets £1.
50/50
Win half of the takings in a 50/50 raffle draw. Tickets £1.
Special 50/50 offer
Buy £5 or £10 worth of 50/50 tickets (it’s for Ross after-all) and you will also be put in the draw to win Ross Venus’ Blaze Blue Army super-hero jersey which you will receive after Coventry Blaze’s last home game of the regular season. Huge thanks to the Blue Army for this generous donation.
Chuck-a-puck
There are a range of great prizes to be won in the Chuck-a-puck which will take place after the second period. £1 each, 3 for 2 or 8 for £5.
Afternoon tea for 4 at the amazing Coombe Abbey Hotel
£20 voucher and thermal coffee cup from Esquires Coffee
Pizza party for 4 at Basement Browns
One-month free membership at Village Gym
4-ball golfing voucher for Stoneleigh Deer Park Golf Club
What if I can’t be there but want to support Ross?
You could buy a ticket anyway, or you can donate for Ross via a GoFundMe page, HERE.
Merchandise
A limited range of merchandise will be available to take home on the night.
This includes, pucks (£5), Caps (£20), Beanies (£15), Polos (£18), Zip-up hoodies (£25) and t-shirt’s (£tbc).
There will also be two limited edition commemorative testimonial prints available, signed by Ross (£5 each).
CASH ONLY.
Jersey’s
If you have pre-purchased a game-worn jersey, you will be able to collect it from the FanHub end of the arena after the WML shoot-out competition.
Ross will play a period on each team, and there will be a blue and white game-worn jersey up for auction at the FanHub end of the arena.
In addition, the game-worn jerseys of #17 Russell Cowley, #74 Liam Stewart and #9 Ben Lake will be up for auction. As well the jersey off Scorch plus two blood jerseys will be available in the auction. Bidding begins at £50.
The auction will end when the WML shoot-out begins.
On Tuesday 25th February (7.30pm) at the Skydome Arena Coventry Blaze forward Ross Venus will celebrate ten years with the club by holding a testimonial game.
After two periods of twenty minutes plus fun games including an on-ice musical chairs competition (more), and a shoot-out challenge (more), Ross, the current Blaze team, and all of his guests including a load of Blaze legends invite YOU to skate with them on the ice!
The skate with the players session is free for everyone with a ticket. If you need to hire skates, you can for £3 via the Planet Ice Skate Hut.
The skate will begin around 9.45-10pm and last for 30 minutes. During this time, you can skate with the players, chat, get autographs and take photos.
Don’t forget it’s half-term week in Coventry, so let the kids stay up and enjoy a one-off opportunity to skate with so many Blaze favourites.
The price of tickets is as follows:
Adults: £12
Under-16’s: £7
Concessions (OAP/Student): £10
They can be purchased ONLINE by calling 02476 630693 or visit the SkyDome box office.
If you are a current Blaze sponsor with seats in Block 13, these have been held for you and can be purchased by calling the box office on 02476 630693 or visit them in person. All other seats are open to general sale.
The players to play in the game and skate afterwards are:
During the first period “break” of the Ross Venus testimonial game, there will be an on-ice musical chairs game with a difference as FIVE players (exc. goalies) will compete against each other to win an Amazon voucher.
The fun game will be sponsored by Southam Agricultural Services, and will see five players chosen by fans, skate around the centre circle to music, and when the music stops they must race to sit on one of 4 chairs. Whoever fails to sit on a chair will be eliminated.
Each round a chair is taken away until there is just one left and the two remaining players will compete with each other to be crowned the winner.
John and Lesley from Southam Agricultural Services will be invited to present the voucher to the winner before the second period of the game will commence.
Which players do you want to see compete in the Musical Chairs game?!
On Tuesday 25th February 2020 (7.30pm) at the Skydome Arena we will celebrate Ross Venus’ ten years with the Coventry Blaze by holding a testimonial evening.
The night will begin with Danny Stewart’s chosen side, taking on James Pease’s select in two periods of 20 minutes. The teams to be coached by Paul Thompson and Keeno will be chosen the night before at a draft pick event (find out more).
Afterwards, both teams will compete in the West Midlands Leisure Ltd shoot-out challenge. This fun shoot-out inspired by what the Blaze do during a Friday training session.
There will be one team at each end of the ice. Every player in each team will take a penalty shot, in a quick rotation. If a player scores, they get to stand aside in relief as the non-scorers join the queue to shoot again.
The game continues until there is one player left (for each team) who hasn’t scored.
The two losers will be subject to a forfeit, either getting egged or an ice bucket dumped over their head by sponsors West Midlands Leisure Ltd.
We, and Ross say a massive thanks to Sam and Pete from West Midlands Leisure Ltd for their support and we look forward to welcoming them and friends to their SkySuite on the night of the game.
We are pleased to confirm that former long-time coach of the Coventry Blaze Paul Thompson and current assistant coach Keeno will lead the two teams in the Ross Venus testimonial on Tuesday 25th February (7.30pm) at the Skydome Arena.
Thompson was at helm of the Blaze for 18 years, guiding them to 15 major trophies and was the coach to bring Ross Venus into the senior team ten years ago at the age of 15.
Keeno has been working with Ross for the past two years in the position of assistant coach to Head Coach Danny Stewart.
The 2019/20 season see’s Great Britain forward Ross Venus celebrate a testimonial season with the Coventry Blaze.
The testimonial game will take place on Tuesday 25th February 2020 at the Skydome Arena with a 7.30pm start time.
As part of the fundraising to support Ross and ensure that the costs to put the game on are covered, we have set up a GoFundMe page for anyone who wishes to help out in any way.
There are several substantial costs that come with running a testimonial game, such as rink hire, insurance, travel and accommodation costs for returning players, security staffing etc. and so fundraising is an important part to help make the game happen and enjoyable for everyone.
We have tried to keep the ticket costs as low as possible to help as many people as possible to come along, but if you would like to help Ross some more, or you’re not able to come and would like to donate something to support him, please CLICK HERE or use the GoFundMe link below.
Any donation, no matter how small would be massively appreciated and really help Ross out a lot.
And don’t forget to leave a good luck message for him when donating!
What is it?: Blaze Head Coach Danny Stewart and past legend James Pease will Captain the two testimonial teams. The night before the testimonial game, they will choose their players from all confirmed to play in the game. So, we’ll be mixing the new with the old on a fun draft pick night. Who will be picked first, and shamefully last? Come along and find out.
When: Monday 24th February from 7pm
Where: The Golden Cross (8 Hay Lane, Coventry, CV1 5RF) right in the middle of the city centre
How much is it?: The entrance fee is a minimum of just £3 per-head, but you can donate more for Ross on the door if you can and wish.
Who will be there?: All of the current Blaze team, plus a number of legends from the past who are able to be in Coventry the night before the testimonial game.
Tickets for the Ross Venus Testimonial game on Tuesday 25th February (7.30pm) at the SkyDome Arena are on sale now.
The game will celebrate Ross’ ten years of outstanding contribution to the Coventry Blaze and all profits will go to the 25-year-old
The price of tickets is as follows:
Adults: £12
Under-16’s: £7
Concessions (OAP/Student): £10
They can be purchased ONLINE by calling 02476 630693 or visit the SkyDome box office.
If you are a current Blaze sponsor with seats in Block 13, these have been held for you and can be purchased by calling the box office on 02476 630693 or visit them in person. All other seats are open to general sale.
All of the current Blaze team will ice in the game, as well as a number of former stars who either played with Ross or had an influence on his career.
These names include Matty Soderstrom, Liam Stewart, Ash Tait, Russ Cowley and now also confirmed Ryan O’Marra.
The new and old Blaze will be mixed into two teams, with each roster being selected by team Captain’s Danny Stewart and James Pease.
DRAFT PICK NIGHT (Monday 24th February) On the night before the testimonial game, Monday 24th February, Danny and James will select their teams from the available players at a fun ‘draft pick’ night to be held at The Golden Cross (8 Hay Lane, Coventry, CV1 5RF). This event is for over-18’s only beginning at 7pm. The entrance fee for this is a minimum of £3 per-head, but you can donate more for Ross on the door if you wish.
BOOK YOUR PLACE FOR THE DRAFT NIGHT If you want to come to the draft pick night and enjoy a sociable night with the current Blaze players and select stars of the past, please register your attendance (HERE). Payment can be made on the door (in-cash only). Spaces are LIMITED so please make sure you register early to avoid disappointment.
On the night of the testimonial game, there will be two periods of 20 minutes 5-on-5.
The winners of the game will gain the bragging rights before a unique shoot-out will take place with each player quickly taking a turn to beat the goalie.
If a player scores, they get to stand aside in relief as the non-scorers join the queue to shoot again.
The game continues until there is one player left (for each team). The shame will be made worse as the two players left will have to carry out a forfeit, either getting egged like Liam Stewart or an ice bucket dumped over their head. The forfeits will be carried out by our Sponsors West Midlands Leisure Ltd (WML) on the ice (find out more).
The WML shoot-out game is inspired by one that the Blaze play in training each Friday with the loser having to buy doughnuts. It’s great fun, and will be very entertaining for those who come to support the evening.
Other games, skills completions etc will also take place in the time remaining and then fans will get an opportunity to Skate with all of the players for around 30 minutes.
This will be free to anyone with a ticket. If you need to hire skates you can via the Planet Ice skate hut for £3.
The opportunity to skate with so many Blaze legends won’t come again, so we hope you can make it and get your skates on with Ross and all of his guests.
The remaining jerseys listed below are now on sale for £50. This reduction in price reflects that we have now gone to print and personal names can not be added to game worn’s. If interested in any of the remaining jersey’s, please email or see us at a home game.
As you will most likely know by now, Tuesday 25th February 2020 is Ross’s Testimonial game (7.30pm, Skydome Arena) and we are looking forward to welcoming back a number of popular players from the last 10 years to play alongside the current Blaze roster.
We can’t have a hockey game without some hockey jerseys and thanks to Five-on-3 we’re pleased to release the testimonial jersey design.
Note: Sponsors to be added.
We have already released names of returning players but this isn’t the end of that list – keep your eyes on the Social media channels for more news over the coming weeks.
Below you can see a list of confirmed names and jerseys to be worn in the game that are available for you to purchase now – at a buy it now price of just £80.
With a purchase of a game worn comes the chance to put a chosen name at the bottom of the jersey, and it can be collected at the end of the game on the night.
Purchases with a name, MUST be placed by Monday 30th January 2020 to allow us time to get them printed.
We have also planned a draft pick evening on Monday 24th February (further information to follow). During this event, the Captain’s of each team will pick their players from those available, which will decide whether your jersey will be white or blue.
We will then get back to you to confirm the purchase and arrange payment.
As jerseys sell and further players get confirmed, we will keep the below list up to date.
Player
Availability
Jordan Hedley
SOLD
Oliver Lord
SOLD
Evan Bloodoff
SOLD
Matt Polkamp
SOLD
Alex Forbes
SOLD
David Broll
SOLD
Dillian Lawrence
SOLD
Luke Ferrara
SOLD
Dillon Eichstadt
SOLD
Chris Polkamp
SOLD
Justin Hamonic
SOLD
Justin Hache
SOLD
Johnny Curran
SOLD
Drew Schiestel
SOLD
Ross Venus
Game-worn shirt raffle prize on the night
David Clements
SOLD
Andrew Johnston
SOLD
Janne Laakkonen
SOLD
Charles Corcoran
SOLD
CJ Motte
SOLD
Liam Stewart
To be auctioned on the night
Ashley Tait
SOLD
Russell Cowley
To be auctioned at the draft pick night
James Pease
SOLD
Matty Soderstrom
SOLD
Joe Henry
Steven Chalmers
SOLD
James Griffin
SOLD
Matt Selby
SOLD
Danny Stewart
SOLD
Adam Goss
SOLD
Aaron Nell
Greg Owen
SOLD
Ben Davies
SOLD
Ryan O’Marra
To be auctioned on the night
Ben Lake
To be auctioned on the night
Blood Shirt 1
Blood Shirt 2
As with all Sunday games, someone from the committee (usually Laura) will be located near our friends the Booster Club at the FanHub, where you can purchase any (remaining) jerseys in person along with the continued ordering and collecting service for Hoodies, Polo’s, Caps and Beanies.
