Birthdate: March 15, 1970
Birthplace: Merritt, BC, Canada
Height: 6′0 | Weight: 202 lbs.
Giants Seasons: 1

In the summer of 2002 the Giants lost captain Jeff Hoad. They needed a replacement, someone who could take them to the next level and win the playoffs. They turned to a man who lead his Sheffield team to the playoff championship last year - Paul Kruse. One of the toughest players in the league he was also one of the best leaders the Giants and the league has had. An NHL veteran of over 400 games including a Stanley cup final appearance with Buffalo, Kruser came through for the Giants, leading them to the Continental cup finals in Lugano, Switzerland and winning them the playoff championship.

On leaving the Giants Kruser joined Linz EHC in Austria playing 16 games before retiring from hockey.

Kruse’s statistics with the Belfast Giants:

          --- Regular Season ---   ------ Playoffs ------
Season    GP    G    A  Pts  PIM   GP    G    A  Pts  PIM
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2002-03   41    8   20   28  130   18    3    9   12   53
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TOTALS    41    8   20   28  130   18    3    9   12   53
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