Brandon Benedict signs with the Belfast Giants

Hard working forward will play in Northern Ireland in 2009-10

The Coors Belfast Giants have announced the signing of former Texas Brahmas forward Brandon Benedict for the 2009-10 season. Benedict will join his former Totempo HVIK and Texas Wildcatter teammate Tim Cook in Belfast where the two will compete in the Elite Ice Hockey League and play in the 7,100 seat Odyssey Arena.

Benedict, 27, signed with the Brahmas on February 7th and scored 16 points (5 G, 11 A, +5) in 16 games played. He put up 18 points (7 G, 11 A, +11) in the playoffs, where he had a role in all 16 games leading up the President’s Cup victory.

Last season, the Giants were the EIHL Challenge Cup Champions and the EIHL Knock Out Cup Champions. Head coach Steve Thornton commented on the signing of Benedict.

“Benny is a legit first liner who has some big skates to fill in that of the departing Denny (leading scorer Paul Deniset). He plays with grit, skates very well and is very creative. He was a high end offensive player in Denmark putting up a point a game…he scored 77 points in 64 games in the ECHL and was a star over there. He won a championship last season in Texas and is hungry for more. He will be an impact player for us and will play big minutes in all situations. I may have spoken to ten different people in North America and Europe looking for references on Benny and they all came back glowing in regards to him as a player and a person.”

Benedict, speaking from his home in Nova Scotia, Canada spoke about the signing.

“I’m really excited for the opportunity of playing for the Giants,” Benedict said. “I heard great things about the organization and am just looking forward to the start of the season. I know the Giants had a ton of success last year and we will be looking to build on that this year.”

Photo Credit: Robert Keith