The Belfast Giants have re-signed forward Colin Shields as the race for the Elite League title enters a vital stage of the season.
It will be Shields third spell at the Odyssey Arena. In his first season he won a league title in 2006 before moving to North America.
He returned two years later and in three more seasons as a Giant he helped the team win two cups in 2009 and the Play-offs in 2010.
Shields once again left Belfast, this time for France, as the sides second all time leading scorer.
He returned to the UK this year and signed with the Sheffield Steelers.
It’s believed that after a falling out with their coach Ryan Finnerty two weeks ago, Shields quit the club on December 9.
Up until then Shields had scored 14 goals and 16 assists for 30 points in 30 games.
Giants General Manager Todd Kelman explained what happened next: “I spoke to Sheffield earlier this week before signing Colin so they knew we were interested.
“We came to an agreement with the Steelers and there is no issue between the two teams over this move. I can assure you there were no conversations with Colin prior to him leaving Sheffield.
“The Steelers owner and management know this.”
Kelman added: “The Steelers are a great organisation and they took care of Colin so there was no issue with that.
“Sometimes players don’t find they fit with a team and want a change. I assume this is why Colin decided to leave.”
In 230 games as a Giant, Shields has 107 goals and 204 assists for 311 points.
He trails only George Awada (334 points) on the franchise scoring charts and if Shields continues on his pace he has maintained over his career as a Giant, he could break that record by the end of the season.
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