Familiar Faces Johnson & Craze Return to Belfast…

Posted on Thursday, May 21st, 2009 at 11:58 am

Veteran Shane Johnson and Nathan Craze are the latest off-season signings for the Giants. The Canadian defenseman and the Welsh netminder have each agreed to terms which will put them back in teal for the 2009-2010 season.

Johnson is the last of the original Giants, a player who truly knows what it means to pull the shirt on. The 35 year old will be returning for his ninth season with the team, and will also be filling the role of Assistant Coach, a position he held during the 2008-2009 season as well.

Coach Thornton is thrilled to have Johnson back in the line-up. “I played with Shane for two seasons in Boston and for two seasons with the Giants now,” said Thornton. “We have won trophies in all four of those years so I feel we work well together. When an important game is on the line in the last few minutes every team in the league would want Shane Johnson on the ice.”

General Manager Todd Kelman echoed Thornton’s praise of Johnson; “Johnny is one of those defensemen who people hate to play against, which is a huge compliment for him. He has won everywhere he has been and expects nothing less from himself and his teammates.”

Craze returns to the Giants for another season as the back-up netminder. The 22 year old has been named by many in the Giants organization as the best insurance policy in the league, and has proven himself to the Giants fans by winning some huge games for the team last year during the Knockout Cup.

Coach Thornton was delighted at Craze’s decision to stay on with the Giants; “Craze gets better every year and is hungrier than ever to improve now that he has tasted success at this level. He will push Murphy every day in practice and competition is healthy in hockey.’

GM Kelman was pleased to have Craze back; “With our travel schedule it is important to have cover for your most important position in case fatigue, sickness or injuries happen. Craze gets better every year and isn’t far off from landing himself a starting job in this league.”