Two-year contract deals are a rarity in the Elite League. And news of their announcement is less likely once the season has started.

It's difficult for imports to commit to longer-term deals when they may be leaving Euros on the table. Likewise, clubs have difficulty making contract commitments due to annual budgeting. However, there are some players, such as Cardiff D-man Wes Jarvis, on multi-year contracts due to University packages.

Most of the time though, and unlike most sports leagues, deals are done on a year-to-year basis. But when you know you've got someone that you can't afford to lose, why not try to keep them?

This week Team GB captain Jonathan Weaver made a commitment beyond next summer by agreeing to a contract in Coventry that ties him up through the 2011/12 campaign.

Since the Blaze are one of the more stable teams in the league and with the GB skipper playing for the GB coach, the move makes perfect sense for both parties. Moreover, it keeps the rest of the league from banging on the Skydome door for the next two years as well.

"You try and secure your major assets and Jonathan's our major asset," Blaze coach Paul Thompson said in an exclusive interview with skysports.com.

"He's up there with the top scorers in the league and I haven't seen a better player than him so far this season."

Of course, Thompson is always going to back his man, but Weaver's form so far this season has been worthy of such praise. Through 12 games Weaver has 18 points and is second only to his Blaze team-mate Greg Chambers in points-per-game, which has more of an impact when you consider that Weaver is a defenceman - although a few goalies would argue otherwise.

"The thing with Jonathan is that even though he gets his points, transition-wise he's the best passer in the league, there's no doubt about that," Thompson added.

"The fact that he's British as well is a double whammy. We were negotiating through the summer and the deal was done recently and we're delighted that he's the lynchpin of our blueline for the foreseeable future."

Responsibilities

Weaver's not the only in-form Brit at this point in time. Belfast's Colin Shields, Nottingham's David Clarke and Cardiff's Phil Hill are all up there near the top of the scoring charts and have greater value this year due to a change in league rules. Having 10 imports on the ice instead of the previous 11 has made the Brits more important to their respective teams.

When the limit was downsized this summer, most teams sacrificed a D-man to reduce their quota, leaving three overseas blueliners at the back. For Thompson, and to a lesser degree Nottingham player-coach Corey Neilson (who has Team GB regular Danny Meyers on D) it was a more straightforward decision. Weaver may be home-grown, but his talent level is right up there with the top import defencemen in the league.

"He doesn't gamble from a defensive point of view and doesn't put us in any position that's going to hurt us," Thompson said.

"That's his strength - he knows when to jump and when not to."

Weaver's ability to create offence for the Blaze has no doubt been helped by the new recruits in the Blaze rearguard. His regular playing partner Jason Robinson and newcomer Brian Lee are typically stay-at-home D-men who take the body and clear the zone.

Thompson relies on Weaver to jumpstart the rush, sending the puck forward to the likes of speedster Russ Cowley or playmaker Greg Chambers. But he also points out that Weaver doesn't make any sacrifices when it comes to making chances.

"He has been partnered with Robinson for most of the time and Robinson's a strong guy who takes care of his own end and they complement each other," the Team GB boss said.

"For Jonathan to almost be the top scorer in the league as a defenceman is a remarkable stat and not just that - he leads our plus-minus as well, which tells you that he's not forgoing his defensive responsibilities just to put his points on the board."

By signing a two-year deal in Coventry, Weaver has put the possibility of playing abroad on the back burner and at 32 years old it's likely that he will remain in the UK for the remainder of his career.

While he has decided against an overseas move, some of Weaver's teammates from Team GB have upped and left for the United States. Former Hull and Belfast D-man Dave Phillips is now playing in the AHL for the Rockford Ice Hogs and forward Matt Myers joined the ECHL's Bakersfield Condors.

"It tells you the strength of the British guys right now," said Thompson, whose Blaze team face Hull and Sheffield this weekend.

"Weaver's our best player right now and he's British. It's probably the same with a couple of the other guys on different teams - the Brits are the leaders on their team.

"It's fantastic that A: There is interest in British players, who are being recognised for what we've got at national team level and B: It's great for the league and everybody associated with it.

"The best kept secret here in Britain is ice hockey."

Couldn't agree more Coach.

Is Weaver the best passer in the league? Who else would you like to see tied up to a long term deal? Post all your views on the form below...

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