HE WAS ONCE a member of the ‘Original Six’ but next season Gregory Stewart will lace up his skates with the Belfast Giants.
The Giants have snapped up the former NHL forward for their upcoming season.
Stewart spent two seasons with the Montreal Canadiens and has also played 246 games in the American Hockey League, mostly with the Canadiens top affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs.
The 26-year-old Canadian, from Kitchener, Ontario, is on his way to Belfast on a one-year deal. He is renowned for his abrasive style on the ice and a willingness to drop the gloves.
“Adding a player who is in the prime of his career and played in the NHL two years ago is a massive coup for our organisation,” Giants head coach Doug Christiansen told UTV. He added:
You just don’t make it to the NHL as an eighth round draft pick if you don’t play the game with passion. I expect him to be a big part of our team and I expect our fans to love him.
Stewart’s last season, with the Oklahoma City Barons, was impinged somewhat by injury but he returned near the end of their league campaign and performed well in their play-off push.
“His former coaches and competitors raved about what he can bring to a team,” Christiansen commented. “He should be a fan favourite at the Odyssey.”
Stewart will wear the number 17 jersey for the Giants – following in the footsteps of another former St Louis Blues and Tampa Bay Lightning star Jason Ruff.
Belfast Giants sign up former NHL star for new season
HE WAS ONCE a member of the ‘Original Six’ but next season Gregory Stewart will lace up his skates with the Belfast Giants.
The Giants have snapped up the former NHL forward for their upcoming season.
Stewart spent two seasons with the Montreal Canadiens and has also played 246 games in the American Hockey League, mostly with the Canadiens top affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs.
The 26-year-old Canadian, from Kitchener, Ontario, is on his way to Belfast on a one-year deal. He is renowned for his abrasive style on the ice and a willingness to drop the gloves.
“Adding a player who is in the prime of his career and played in the NHL two years ago is a massive coup for our organisation,” Giants head coach Doug Christiansen told UTV. He added:
Stewart’s last season, with the Oklahoma City Barons, was impinged somewhat by injury but he returned near the end of their league campaign and performed well in their play-off push.
“His former coaches and competitors raved about what he can bring to a team,” Christiansen commented. “He should be a fan favourite at the Odyssey.”
Stewart will wear the number 17 jersey for the Giants – following in the footsteps of another former St Louis Blues and Tampa Bay Lightning star Jason Ruff.
In pictures: Day 6 of London 2012
Bowe: I was so jealous of the Ulster lads last season
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AHL American Hockey League assists Belfast Giants Bulldogs goals Hamilton Hockey Ice Hockey Jason Ruff Montreal Canadiens New Signing Odyssey Arena odyssey begins skater St Louis Blues Star Tampa Bay Lightning