Posted on Sunday, August 8th, 2010 at 10:51 pm
Belfast Giants are pleased to announce the signing of former NHL Draft pick and ECHL All Star, Brett Hemingway for the 2010/11 season. The 27 year old Canadian comes to Belfast from the East Coast Hockey League where he played for Stockton Thunder and the Alaska Aces last season, scoring 19 points in an injury interrupted season. He joins his brother Colin, who signed earlier this summer, both for their first season as Giants in Belfast.
In the 2008-09 season, Hemingway helped guide the Alaska Aces (ECHL) to a berth in the Kelly Cup Final, achieving career-highs in assists (32), scoring 42 points in total.
Head Coach Doug Christiansen is excited that Hemingway is coming to Belfast: “I think Brett will be a diamond in the rough for us. Brett has a good pedigree but is coming off a tough season. My discussions with him have been great. He is extremely hungry to get back to the form that made him an ECHL All-Star and AHL player. He has a passion for the game and I know the fans of Belfast will enjoy having two Hemingway’s on their team. I spoke to two of his former coaches, both of whom were trying to bring him back to their team. They raved about his work ethic and attitude”.
Christiansen continued: “Brett brings us another player who can score and a player who can play on all 3 lines. He gives us great depth up front. Brett can kill penalties and play on the power play. There is no question Brett has the tools to be extremely successful in the EIHL”.
General Manager Todd Kelman added: “This is a first for the Giants, having two brothers playing together on the team. Colin and Brett have played together in the past and we are looking forward to seeing them in action in Belfast. Brett will have every opportunity to get back into the form he was in two seasons ago and he gives added depth to our forward lines.”