Belfast Giants bolster offensive options after signing Swede Henrik Eriksson

By Sports Desk
Published 8th Jan 2023, 13:22 BST
Updated 8th Jan 2023, 13:22 BST
Sweden's Henrik Eriksson has joined the Belfast Giants for the remainder of the season.Sweden's Henrik Eriksson has joined the Belfast Giants for the remainder of the season.
Sweden's Henrik Eriksson has joined the Belfast Giants for the remainder of the season.
The Belfast Giants have completed the signing of Swedish centreman/winger Henrik Eriksson for the remainder of the season.

The 26-year-old will don the #91 jersey in Belfast and is set to arrive in town off the back of a successful season with Norwegian side, Lillehammer, posting 14 goals and 16 assists in 29 games, good for 30 points.

No stranger to Belfast, or the Giants, Eriksson visited these shores in 2018/19 during his time with Ritten Sport to face the Belfast Giants in the IIHF Continental Cup Group E semi-final clash at The SSE Arena, Belfast, where the Giants emerged victorious with a 6-2 win.

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Eriksson said: “I’m looking forward to arriving in Belfast and getting to work. I’ve heard great things about the Elite Ice Hockey League, and the Giants, too, so that’s exciting.

“When I played at the Giants’ home arena in 2018, the atmosphere and facilities were amazing - I can’t wait to get back.

“In terms of my plans for the rest of the season; I hope to get my head down, make some key plays on the ice, and ultimately, get the puck past the opposing goalies and into the back of the net – and have fun while doing so.”

Head coach Adam Keefe said Eriksson would bolster the team’s attacking capabilities.

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“We’re excited to welcome Henrik to the team. He’s a skilled player that can skate and really shoot the puck,” said Keefe.

"Bringing in a player like Henrik, who was putting up some good numbers this season in Norway and playing with confidence, we hope can help add to our offensive output.

“Eriksson played for Ritten back in the 2018 Continental Cup clash versus the Giants which helped land him here today, as he is excited to play in front of the fans for the Giants this time around.

Eriksson has a wealth of experience and between 2011-2017, Eriksson iced for reputable teams in Sweden such as Södertälje SK J20 and Mora IK, before progressing further afield to play in the likes of Austria and Italy in the Alps Hockey League, and most recently, Norwegian outfits Ringerike and Lillehammer.

The new signing is expected to make his Giant debut in Belfast later this month.

Related topics:Belfast