Coventry Blaze will find 'chemistry', says new signing Boris Valabik

Coventry Blaze defenceman Boris Valabik is confident the new-look squad will discover its "chemistry" as soon as the new Elite League season gets under way.

The Blaze are the reigning play-off champions and Valabik is one of 14 new faces on the club's roster for 2015-16.

"With the coach we have and the team we have, the chemistry has to come and will come," the 29-year-old told BBC Coventry and Warwickshire.

"It takes everyone buying into the system and believing in the system."

Slovakia international Valabik has arrived in Coventry after seven seasons in the National Hockey League with the Atlanta Thrashers.

"As a defenceman I don't think there's a lot of pressure on me to score goals, but you want to feel like you're part of the team and I feel that's the case here - they appreciate a defensive player," he said.

Under head coach Chuck Weber, Blaze finished sixth in the Elite League table last season, but upset the league champions Sheffield Steelers in the play-off final, wining 4-2.

The victory has increased optimism at the Sky Dome Arena for the forthcoming campaign and Valabik said everyone was geared up to deliver more success.

"Our expectations are probably even higher than the fans and we plan on getting as close to the top as we can," he added.

"We have a team that needs to be playing for the top spot.

Coventry start their Elite League campaign on 5 September at Fife Flyers.