Kris Beech, a 6’2” forward with 198 games in the NHL, has signed a one year contract with the Stena Line Belfast Giants for the 2015/16 Elite League season. Kris will join up with his new teammates in August for training camp, ahead of the season face-off in September.

Selected 7th overall in the 1999 NHL Draft by the Washington Capitals, Beech went on to play in ‘The Show’ for the Capitals organisation as well as the Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators, Columbus Blue Jackets and the Vancouver Canucks.

With the Giants looking to bring back the Elite League title they last won in 2014, the signing of Kris Beech will play a huge part with the Canadian already experienced in success – notably helping the Hershey Bears to the AHL’s Calder Cup championship in 2006, posting 28 points in 21 playoff games. The 34 year old centreman also clinched the Swedish Elite League championship in 2010 with HV71.

Kris was voted the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins MVP for two successive years while on his way to playing in 304 AHL games across five seasons. Beech has spent his previous seven seasons in Europe’s top divisions, playing for Genève-Servette of the Swiss ‘A’ League, the DEL’s Straubing Tigers and last season with HC Innsbruck of Austria, to name a few.

Steve Thornton, on the capture of Kris Beech for the 2015/16 season,

“He’s a leader as well as a winner and has worn the ‘C’ with the teams that he has won with – he’ll be an important addition to our locker room. I’m a big believer in winning being contagious – once you taste it, you want it over and over again and we look for those guys.”

“His NHL games will bring a level of experience to our locker room. References raved about his personality, how he can handle situations and calm things down. He’ll accept whatever role he is given and you just can’t get enough of guys like that.”

“Next season – I think our fans are going to see a winner, he’s a guy who has won in the past and I think he’s going to help lead this team to some trophies next year.”