The Belfast Giants have announced the signings of two new players to complete their lineup for the upcoming season.
Canadian forward Mike Bayrack, who last played with the Florida Everblades, and American defender Mike Hoffman, formerly of the Hartford Wolf Pack, join the Giants' roster for the 2010/11 league.
Thirty-two-year-old Bayrack comes to Belfast from the ECHL where he played 34 games last season.
He has spent eight seasons in the ECHL over his career, scoring 386 points in 453 games. He has also played in 30 Kelly Cup Playoff games, scoring 24 points.
In 2006-07 with Texas, Bayrack enjoyed a career-high 78 points in 66 games, ranking second in scoring for the Wildcatters.
Giants' coach Doug Christiansen said the team needed a top offensive player "in order to accomplish our goals" this season.
"Mike is a proven scorer," he said. "He has dynamic speed and is extremely dangerous on the powerplay.
"For years, Mike has been one of the top players in the ECHL. He is a point-a-game player and has the ability to have a phenomenal season playing with good players.
"Mike will start on the wing but gives us another centre if needed. Mike suffered a broken finger last season from a violent slash, however, he has fully healed and had a successful play-off run with Florida."
Defenseman Hoffman meanwhile joins the Giants with seven years' AHL experience behind him.
The 29-year-old native of Scituate, Massachusetts has recorded 50 points (21 goals, 29 assists) and 621 penalty minutes in 289 career AHL games.
Coach Christiansen said he was"ecstatic" to be bringing Hoffman to the Belfast team.
"Mike is a true heavy weight fighter, however, he can do much more than just play tough," he said.
"I did not want to add a one dimensional tough guy.
"Mike has scored 10 goals in a season in the AHL and he can play defense. Mike gives us a lot of flexibility.
"He skates well for a big man and can drive the net hard. Mike will start on defense for us and move to forward if we need some power up front.
"He has played both forward and defense in the AHL and allows us to bring in one more weapon up front."
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