SWINDON-based Okanagan Hockey Academy have snapped up former Coventry Blaze academy starlet Edgars Landsbergs.

The Latvian-born forward, who finished last season as the top scorer for the Blaze’s Under 16s, will be joined at the academy by returning D-man Kyle Smith.

Next term will be Smith’s second season with OHA and in his first campaign he completed a full set of representative honours, playing for the South West Conference U17s, England U17s and Great Britain U18s teams.

Former Swindon Wildcats chief and new OHA academy boss Ryan Aldridge said of Smith’s return: “The Academy is the perfect place for Kyle to continue growing as a hockey player.

“We can push and challenge him daily to fulfil his potential. In return being on the ice with a player of Kyle’s calibre everyday will force his team-mates to raise their games in order to stay competitive.”

Meanwhile, Landsbergs' arrival at OHA follows nine years at Coventry and the youngster is looking forward to the switch.

“I’ve been lucky to have had great coaches ever since I first started in Latvia and I want to say a big thank you to all of them who helped me," he said.

“I had a lot of fun in the Blaze Academy but feel I’m at the stage where I need to start thinking about the future and start to get used to meeting new people, new team-mates and new coaches.

“I have decided to go to the OHA because I want to take my hockey to a higher level.

“OHA will be a really great challenge for me and will also allow me to show my game outside the UK and be noticed by other teams in other countries.

“As I am Latvian I cannot play for the EIHA conference or national teams and feel I am missing out on playing at a higher level.

“OHA play 50-plus games in England and Europe against a lot of tough teams and this will make me a better player and open doors for my future career.

“The fact that OHA train on and off ice everyday is amazing and something that I can’t wait to do.

“It’s a dream to do something like this, I know how lucky I am and I will be working as hard as I can every day to make sure I get the most from the experience.”

Aldridge said: “It’s always good to have talent like Edgars joining the programme. He is determined to play at a high level and already comes with the work rate and desire we will be expecting.”