Adey’s signings show the way forward for Giants

The Stena Line Belfast Giants’ new head coach, Paul Adey, has got to work quickly reshaping his team to recapture the Elite League title starting September.

Securing all three zones of the team, Adey has inked deals with back-up Puck-Stopper Andrew Dickson, premier defense man Calvin Elfring and last but not least, a power forward in Kevin Saurette in just one week.

Going from the back forward, Andrew Dickson the 25-year-old from Ballymoney Northern Ireland, will again be icing as back up to Stephen Murphy the GB International in the Giants’ hot-spot of goal keeper.

Dickson has fulfilled this role with the Giants full-time for the past two seasons, winning the Elite League Championship in 2012. Andrew has proved to be a vital part of the Giants’ team and was called upon in the prestigious Continental Cup last season when the Giants defeated the Dutch Champions Ruijters Eaters Geleen.

Giants’ General Manager GM Todd Kelman stated: “I am very pleased to have Andrew back with us and I know that he is excited to be back. Dickson knows what we expect of him and I believe he will take full advantage of his role and continue to improve.

“Andrew is a very hard worker and I know that the guys that played on last season’s team loved having him around. He is a fun guy, a great teammate, but also understands that he has to train harder than anyone if he wants to continue improving year on year.

“Northern Ireland should be proud of one of their own putting in the effort and commitment week on week to make it at this level. Due to a lack of facilities, Andrew was at a disadvantage over players in England, Scotland and Wales, but he has persevered and improved to the level we would expect of someone in his position at Elite League level.

“I really like the fact that when practice is over, Dickson stays on the ice until the last Giant player that wants to take shots on him is ready to call it quits. Backup net minders have to understand how important they are to the team and he gets that. The guys love him for it and respect the job he does for us.”

Next signing is in the form of Canadian Calvin Elfring, having had experience of a wealth of seasons in the DEL, the top league in Germany, captaining the Straubing Tigers last season with a reputation as an all-round defenseman and a great leader.

With three seasons in the ECHL, plus numerous AHL call-ups, Elfring made the move to Europe in 2001 signing with EHC Bad Aibling in the German 3rd Division. With impressive statistics in his first season Calvin then moved up a division playing with SC Bietigheim-Bissingen where he tallied upwards of 60 points in each of his two seasons in the Bundesliga. He then moved to the Straubing Tigers in 2004 where he has played for the past 9 seasons. In 2011/12 Calvin was named as an assistant captain and last year captained the Tigers whilst contributing 17 points in 40 games in the German DEL.

Adey is confident that Elfring will be a standout player in the Elite League and commented: “Calvin is a dedicated pro and a great leader who can play at both ends of the rink. His experience will be a great asset to our team next season. Elfring was approached by a handful of Elite League teams but from the start of the negotiations he stated that he wanted to play in Belfast.”

Shooting left, which is something the Giants were particularly looking for after signing four right shots already (Sandrock, Mason, Kevin and Davey Phillips), Elfring will add another element to the Giants powerplay and is expected to log a lot of ice time in every situation next season on the Giants defensive blueline.

Great news for the forward line is that Kevin Saurette returns to the Giants.

It certainly was the turning point in the Giants’ season after Saurette moved to Belfast mid-way through last season from ESV Kaufbeuren in Germany. Kevin made an instant impact in the Elite League tallying 18 goals and 21 assists for a total of 39 points in just 34 games.

The 6 foot, 200lbs, power forward brings an ideal mix of size and skill to the Giants’ lineup and will be expected to carry on the form that made him one of the most sought after players in the Elite League this off-season.

Saurette is a player that can log a lot of ice time and last season featured significantly on the powerplay, netting six goals to finish the season tied for second on the team’s powerplay tally.

Head Coach Paul Adey commented on the signing of Saurette: “I watched the Giants at the Playoff Finals Weekend in Nottingham and Kevin was a player that really stood out to me. He has good size and is a tremendous skater, with great individual skill and a fantastic shot.

“Kevin has produced offensively everywhere he has played and last season he demonstrated his ability to score in the Elite League. Having Saurette back with the Giants will contribute greatly to our offensive output.”

GM Todd Kelman too was very pleased to get Saurette back for another year: “Kevin changed our team when he arrived last season. He is a handful for opposing defensemen in front of the net and he scored some big goals for us. He is one of the best power forwards in this league and next season I expect even bigger things from him when we have him for the entire season.

“I know that Nottingham and Sheffield were both after him but he wanted to be in Belfast. I am glad we were able to make that happen and I know our fans will be pleased to see him back in Belfast next season.”