SIGNED: Baldwin completes jigsaw
NEXT HOME GAME: The Braehead Clan face the Belfast Giants in an exciting start to the season on Sunday 28th August (6:00pm face-off). Tickets are available NOW via TICKETMASTER, by calling 0844 499 1700 or direct at the Braehead Arena box office.
intu Braehead Clan are delighted to announce the signing of defenceman Lee Baldwin – the final signing of the summer – ahead of the 2016/17 season.
The 28-year-old completes the picture for the new campaign as attention now turns to action on the ice, where Baldwin is expected to fulfil an important role.
And head coach Ryan Finnerty not only outlined what sort of player Baldwin is, but he’s keen to improve an experience of hockey in Europe that the Canadian may have.
“He’s a fit for exactly what we’re looking for and the fact he’s from Victoria so I know a bit about him as well,” Clan’s coach said.
“Lee has some offence to his game and is a mobile defenceman with a left shot as well as a good first pass and we think he’s a player that will do well here for Braehead Clan.
“He had a tough year in Germany last year and ended up in a bad spot so we’re hoping to change the notion of European hockey for him. He’s excited to come and we’re pleased to get him in.”
Baldwin has spent the last two seasons with Danish side Odense Bulldogs then at German second tier side ESV Kaufbueren last year.
However the Germans ended the season escaping relegation in a disappointing campaign and and despite this, Finnerty insists he didn’t have to sell a return to Europe as hard.
He added: “Our reputation is very good so he didn’t need a lot of convincing, despite what happened in Germany with him.
“As far as a spot to come and play in, if you ask most players that have played here, they speak highly of us.
“But for players that end up in a bad spot chasing money, it can really take the shine off wanting to come back and I think he needed to do his research on us and he’s excited to make the move.”
Baldwin will wear the #4 jersey and joins Lee Esders, Michal Zajkowski, Kyle Wharton, Jay Rosehill, Matt Beca, Jeff Ulmer, Trevor Hendrikx, Gary Russell, Scott Aarssen, Cody Carlson, Zach Sullivan, Matt Keith, Bari McKenzie, Matt Haywood, Alex Leavitt, Daniel Ahsberg, Corey Cowick, Scott Pitt, Craig Peacock and Callum Boyd on the roster.
