Belfast Giants snap up Team GB forward Ben Lake
The Belfast Giants have announced the departures of top goalie Tyler Beskorowany and star forward Darcy Murphy, but have snapped up Team GB’s Ben Lake.
The news that fan favourites Besko and Murph won’t be returning marks a blow for Giants fans, but it will feel somewhat inevitable after their standout performances in teal.
It has not yet been revealed where the pair will end up next season, but both have been expected to make steps up to play in top leagues in mainland Europe.
Besko was the league’s top goaltender last season, while Murphy was top scorer.
However, the signing of Lake may ease the pain a little – he was the second highest points scorer and even bagged the goal for Coventry against Cardiff that handed the league title to Belfast.
The 29-year-old was named to the First All-Star team after posting 34 goals and 43 assists, good for 77 points in 60 games.
Although, with the announcement that Lake will wear the #9 jersey, it appears former NHLer Jim Vandermeer's time as a Giants player is up.
The Giants will mark their 20th anniversary next season and, amid the rebuild for that campaign, announced a total of seven signings at a fan event at the SSE Arena Belfast on Wednesday night.
Alongside Lake, will be the core of long-serving Scottish returnees Mark Garside and Stephen Murphy and Ballymoney’s Andrew Dickson.
There will also be a second season in Belfast for Paul Swindlehurst and Lewis Hook.
Canadian defenceman Curtis Leonard will also be back for the Giants.
The 26-year-old impressed during his debut campaign, serving as an assistant captain and posting 33 points in 71 games.
The Giants have already announced a few other signings, including the hugely popular return of Jordan Smotherman – with the American being tipped as a potential captain by fans.
Smo arrived in Belfast last season as a late signing in February, fresh from Germany’s top league.
He made an immediate impact when he stepped up to help his new team by bringing forward his travel plans to provide injury cover - then scoring on his debut, almost straight off the plane.
His return will certainly boost the side as they prepare for a season that will include playing in the Champions Hockey League for the first time.
The Giants have already had to come to terms with the departure of all-time leading scorer Colin Shields, who has retired after 11 seasons, and of captain Blair Riley who has signed for another still unconfirmed team.
But they have also already signed British Player of the Year Ciaran Long from the Manchester Storm and Polish forward Patryk Wronka who played against the Giants for GKS Katowice in the Continental Cup.
The Giants go into the new season as the defending Elite League and Challenge Cup champions.