Giants Complete Roster

Posted on Friday, August 13th, 2010 at 6:01 am

Belfast Giants are pleased to announce the signings of Canadian Mike Bayrack  and American Mike Hoffman for the 2010/11 season.  32 year old forward, Bayrack,  comes to Belfast from the ECHL where he played 34 games last season, finishing the year with the Florida Everblades.

Bayrack 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.

Throughout his eleven year professional career, Bayrack has scored 581 points in 670 games, adding time in the AHL with Grand Rapids, Norfolk, Bridgeport and Springfield and in the United Hockey League with Danbury, Muskegon and Missouri.

Commenting on Bayrack, Coach Doug Christiansen said: “Mike is a proven scorer. He has dynamic speed and is extremely dangerous on the powerplay. For years, Mike has been one of the top players in the ECHL. In order to accomplish our goals, we needed one more offensive player and Mike is it. 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.”

The Giants’ roster is completed with the addition of Mike Hoffman from Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL. Defenseman Hoffman joins the Giants with 7 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 commented: “After an exhaustive search, I am ecstatic to bring Mike Hoffman to Belfast. Mike is a true heavy weight fighter, however, he can do much more than just play tough. 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 will play a lot for the Giants. 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.”

General Manager Todd Kelman added:  “ Mike Bayrack is a veteran of the ECHL and AHL and brings further depth to our forward lines. He is a proven scorer, with an impressive work ethic who will compete hard every game. In Mike Hoffman we have found the enforcer we need to protect our team. He adds strength to our roster and I am delighted that both these players have decided to join the Giants for the forthcoming season.  I am really excited with our team for this year and look forward to welcoming them all to Belfast in the next few days”.