Blaze sign Federal Hockey League MVP

The Bloomington Blaze, fueled by Mid-Illini Credit Union, have bolstered their defense by signing the reigning Federal Hockey League Most Valuable Player.

Jeff Winchester is a 6-2, 205-pound defenseman who begins his eighth professional season. He registered 20 goals and 63 assists for 83 points in 49 games last season with two FHL clubs (1000 Islands and New Jersey), earning him MVP honors in the A-level circuit. He is coming off his best scoring season.

Winchester played four seasons at the University of Alabama-Huntsville, followed by AA-level stops at San Diego, Dayton and Columbia of the ECHL and Arizona and Corpus Christi of the Central Hockey League. He has also played parts of three seasons in the A-level Southern Professional Hockey League in Huntsville and Mississippi as well as parts of two seasons in Holland. The 30-year-old Winchester is a native of Dalhousie, New Brunswick.

“Jeff has been a very productive defenseman on each team he has played for,” said Blaze coach Brian Gratz. “He has been a part of three single-A championship teams over the past three seasons, including being named MVP last season in the FHL. I look forward to seeing his success at other levels transfer to the Central Hockey League.”