Belfast Giants sign former NHL forward Patrick Dwyer
The Belfast Giants have signed up former NHL forward Patrick Dwyer, as the new Elite League season draws closer.
The 35-year-old American, from Spokane in Washington, most recently plied his trade with SønderjyskE in Denmark’s top league.
He posted 10 goals and 12 assists, good for 22 points in 26 games played.
Dwyer previously spent seven seasons with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, playing more than 70 games for them in his last campaign in 2014-15 and more than 400 overall.
He also has nearly 60 games with the Hurricanes' AHL affiliate side, the Charlotte Checkers, under his belt - with 14 goals and 26 assists.
Dwyer joins a much-changed Belfast Giants side, with head coach Adam Keefe seeming to have opted for a somewhat younger, bigger side than in recent years.
Dwyer himself may be among the hockey veterans, joining the likes of defenceman and fellow NHLer Jim Vandermeer and top British forward Colin Shields.
However, the Giants are also bringing youth into the side through the likes of Team GB’s Paul Swindlehurst, and University of Saskatchewan Huskies duo Josh Roach and Kendall McFaull.
Notable departures include netminder Jackson Whistle and defenceman Ryan Martinelli, who have both signed for a rival EIHL side in the Sheffield Steelers.
The Giants will be looking to get off to a strong start when they take to the ice after the long summer break, with pre-season exhibition games set to give players the chance to gel as a team.
The Giants will take on the Manitoba Bisons on 25 and 26 August at the SSE Arena Belfast.