Kevin Westgarth Signs In Belfast

Former Chatham Maroons forward Kevin Westgarth will be heading across the Atlantic Ocean to continue his hockey playing career, as the former Stanley Cup Champion has signed with the Elite Ice Hockey League’s Belfast Giants.

After being released by the Edmonton Oilers from a professional tryout contract this preseason, Westgarth signed with the Northern Ireland team, a move which the Giants organization is pleased he decided to make.

“We’ve been talking to him for a while, trying to get him to come over and we were trying to remain patient because guys like this who can be a presence and can also play are hard to find – so he was definitely worth waiting for. I think he’s going to be a real force for us,” said Steve Thornton, Belfast Giants Head of Hockey Operations in a team news release.

“He’ll be a presence. He’s played in the top league in the world and he’s a big guy who will keep other teams honest. He will be able to contribute offensively – putting up good numbers in college and the AHL and he’s playing in the NHL, not just sitting on the bench.”

“He’s going to be a guy that the Belfast fans are going to like – playing with his heart on his sleeve. He stands up for his teammates and hits the dirty areas – and that’s exactly what he’ll do for the Giants,” continued Thornton.

In 169 career NHL games with the Los Angeles Kings, Carolina Hurricanes, and Calgary Flames, Kevin Westgarth collected 7 goals and 9 assists, as well as 266 penalty minutes.

The six-foot-four tough guy last played for the Chatham Maroons in 2002-2003 before accepting an NCAA scholarship to Princeton University.