Superb news Giants fans. It’s been fully confirmed that Jason Ruff is a Belfast Giant yet again! The 36 year old power forward has signed on for a 4th season with the Giants, though this will be the first time he has started back to back seasons with the team, even through he left mid-way through last year.

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Rumour coming out of Sheffield and Newcastle this weekend reports that Giants legend Jason Ruff could be set for a sensational 4th tour of duty to these shores. At least thats what ex-Giants coach and current Steelers coach Dave Whistle believes. The man who first brought Ruff to these shores claimed on the Steelers official site, “I get on well with Jason and we briefly discussed the possibility of him coming to Sheffield, however i think the deal is already done with Belfast” Read More»

Rumours doing the rounds on various Elite league team message boards suggest that the Giants are on the verge of signing ex-Coventry Blaze tough guy Jeff Hutchins.

It raises questions with Giants fans on weather this would be a replacement for Shawn Skiehar who added the main physical element to the Giants roster last year? The vast majority of Giants fans will tell you that losing Ski is not something they want as he proved to be one of the best two-way forwards in the league as well as the best fighter. Most fans will hope that Ed is looking to combine the two together to add a little more grit through the Giants line-up.

It was revealed by the Sheffield Star today that Steelers star forward Mark Dutiaume was leaving the Sheffield team to join another Elite league team. The Star reported that, “there was speculation in Northern Ireland today that Belfast Giants may be the team that benefits from his change of heart. Ed Courtenay is keen on adding a big name to his championship-winning squad.”

Dutiaume, 29, who finished top Elite league goal scorer two years ago, would be a huge asset to the Giants as the league champions search to replace Theo Fleury on the top line.

Origionally drafed in 1995 by the Buffalo Sabres in round two number 42nd overall the 6ft, 200lbs left winger played his junior hockey in Brandon before spells in the AHL, UHL and ECHL. It was in the 2000-2001 season he first made his move to this side of the pond to play with the London Knights.

Dutiaume has played five season in Sheffield since 2001-2002 with his first season beginning in Fife and his forth in Sheffield beginning in Italy with Bolzano. As a Steeler he has picked up 80 goals, 119 assists for 199 points in 174 regular season games. He has also helped the Yorkshire team to the playoff title in 2002 and 2004, the league title in 2004, the Challenge cup in 2003 and the British Cup in 2006.

It’s believed Dutiaume and ex-Steelers coach Dennis Maxwell did not see eye to eye and this may be the reason the Canadian, from Winnipeg is looking to move on.

It would yet again show the Giants ability and ambition to sign the best players in the league.

EIHL experience, or EPL playing time… thats Nathan Craze’s decision over staying in Belfast for another year or going to Bracknell. According to icBerkshire the Bees are looking for a top notch British netminder and amoung others, Craze is catching their eye.

Giants fans will be hoping Craze stays on in Belfast to further his career there behind a top quality netminder whom he can learn from, but the decision will be his in the end. Theres no doubts though that Belfast and Bracknell are not the only teams interested in the young teenage prospects services.