The Belfast Giants have announced the signing of Brian Ward for the organisation’s 20th anniversary season.
The 27-year-old arrives in Belfast after splitting 2018/19 with the Binghamton Devils and Adirondack Thunder - AHL and ECHL affiliates of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils respectively.
Ward, from Haverhill, Massachusetts in the USA, will wear the #24 jersey when the new season begins with exhibition games next month against Mora IK of Sweden and Denmark’s Herning ahead of the Champions Hockey League campaign.
The centreman played three seasons at St. Lawrence University 2013-2016 and captained the team during his final year.
Ward did not miss a game in his collegiate career, posting 27 goals and 43 assists, good for 70 points in 122 games played while leading St. Lawrence in scoring as a sophomore during the 2014/15 season.
Ward has iced for five different AHL sides – the Charlotte Checkers, Albany Devils, Utica Comets, Providence Bruins as well as the Binghamton Devils last season.
The 6’1” forward has scored 20+ goals in each of his three seasons in the ECHL with the Adirondack Thunder.
Ward scored 27 regular season goals during 2016/17 and followed that with 30 goals in 2017/18, the highest single-season total in Adirondack's history.
Ward has added eight goals and six assists in his Kelly Cup playoffs career to bring his ECHL totals to 85 goals and 72 assists, good for 157 points in 184 games played.
Ward said: “I have had a great Summer so far and I am very excited to get to Belfast.
"The timing was perfect and I felt like this was the right move for me.
“The Champions League will be an incredible experience and I have heard nothing but great things about the fans, the city and the organisation.”
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