New Belfast Giants player-coach Steve Thornton is showing that he means
business by securing the return of Scottish winger Colin Shields.
Thornton last week captured Great Britain international defenceman David
Phillips and with the signing of Shields now confirmed he has already filled
two slots on his roster with top quality non-imports.
And the 28-year-old has committed his future to the Giants by signing a
two-year deal - which is something of a rarity in UK ice hockey.
"Colin is an offensive juggernaut who makes players around him better,"
said Thornton after confirming what had been speculated since he himself
signed on as coach.
"Colin has tons of speed, a great shot, tremendous playmaking ability
and a real mind for the game.
"He is going to get a lot of points for the Giants over the next two
seasons.
"Any fans that watched him in 05/06 know how smooth he is on the ice
and playing against him all season, I saw how he can break open a game at
any time, which is exactly the type of player every team needs."
Shields is no stranger to the Odyssey Arena ice, having been part of the
2005-06 Elite League title winning squad in Ed Courtenay's first season in
charge.
He is currently at home in Scotland rather than in Austria with the GB team
after suffering a broken foot at the play-off finals weekend.
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