Higgins to make debut on British ice for Belfast

Massachusetts forward, Chris Higgins, has signed a one year deal with the Stena Line Belfast Giants in a bid to add more skill and creativity to the Giants lineup for the 2013/14 season.

An East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) experience player, Higgins has played in each of the four previous seasons for Gwinnett Gladiators, Las Vegas Wranglers, South Carolina Stingrays, Utah Grizzlies and Wheeling Nailers and posted 27 goals and 39 assists, good for 66 points in 95 games played.

Higgins is a Boston University Hockey Alumni and during his time there, earned accolades for his goal scoring including short handed and game winning goals, totalling 49 goals and 133 points overall in four seasons.

The 27-year-old Higgins may be making his debut in the Elite League, however he already has experience in European ice hockey, skating for Ritten of Italy in 2010/11 and Swedish side Tingsryds the following season.

Head Coach Paul Adey said this of his newest signing: “Higgins is a skilled player that sees the ice well. He has great hands who is excellent on the power play. Chris is a fantastic skater and will be extremely explosive, making himself difficult for opposing defensemen.

“He is a good teammate who plays for the team which will add to the team chemistry that is already in place. Chris Higgins is still to perform to his full potential and I believe he will show exactly what he is capable of when given the opportunity in Belfast this season.”