LeBlanc Out, ECHL All-Star Clarke In

Posted on Tuesday, October 18th, 2011 at 3:05 pm

Derek Leblanc has decided to leave the Stena Line Belfast Giants for personal reasons. He will be returning to Canada immediately.  The Giants have released Leblanc from his contract and have found a replacement. Former ECHL All-Star, Aaron Clarke, will be joining the team as soon as his visa application is completed.

Aaron Clarke was one of Doug Christiansen’s targets this summer and he kept in touch with him during the season. Clarke has been a captain of multiple ECHL teams and is a player Christiansen believes will make an impact. Clarke has also played for 3 different AHL teams.

“When I learned that Leblanc might be leaving, I knew who I wanted. Aaron Clarke and I spoke during the summer and we came very close to a deal. Clarke is a hard-nosed skill player who can play in any situation. He is a very fast player who can score.  Last season, Clarke showed his toughness by playing with a broken foot for the entire play-offs. He is a confident competitor. He has not been playing this season so it will take him time to get in game shape but I am confident he will be a point-a-game player who can play in every situation.”

Arron Clarke’s career statistics on EliteProspects.com

Clarke will be wearing number 8 for the Giants. Clarke is excited to join the first place Giants and stated, “I am very pleased and excited about having the opportunity to play in Belfast; where winning is a tradition and a championship is expected. I look forward to contributing and being part of a winning team.  My great grandparents were from Belfast so it will be nice to see where a part of my family heritage comes from.”

The Giants hope to have Clarke in the line-up against Nottingham next weekend at the National Ice Center.