Published Thursday, 09 August 2012
The new signing for the Stena Line Belfast Giants, Scott Champagne. (© UTV)
The 29-year-old has been a team leader in points wherever he has been including Asia, Germany, Denmark and the ECHL and has won a professional title with the Tohoku Free Blades of the Asian League.
Last season, the forward played 29 games for the Nottingham Panthers scoring 37 points from nine goals and 28 assists. His playmaking ability will compliment the play of proven goal scorers already signed for the Giants.
Champagne, who is still back in Canada for the off-season, expressed his excitement about becoming a Giant.
"I have heard nothing but great things about the city, the fans and the organisation. I am looking forward to bringing another championship to Belfast," he said.
Head Coach Doug Christiansen said Champagne would "make the players around him better".
"We have a number of players who are goal scorers and we needed someone who can get them the puck in the right areas. Scott is the right man for the job.
"When I heard that Scott was interested in Belfast, I immediately reached out to him. Of course, I had concerns about the fact that he left Nottingham mid-season last year but we have discussed this and I do not expect it to be an issue in Belfast, in fact, we have resolved it contractually.
"I believe our team just got better offensively and became more creative," added Doug.