Phoenix Coyotes sign Eric Belanger
The Phoenix Coyotes have announced that they have signed forward Eric Belanger to a one-year contract worth roughly $750,000. Belanger spent last season with the Minnesota Wild and Washington Capitals, becoming a free agent at the end of the season.
Belanger was drafted 96th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the fourth round of the 1996 National Hockey League entry draft. Belanger did not join the Kings until the 2000-01 season, which he spent split between Los Angeles and their American
Hockey League affiliate the Lowell Lock Monsters. Belanger spent five years with the Kings establishing himself as a two-way forward. His best season with the organization came in 2005-06 when the centre scored 17 goals and 37 points in 65 games. In 2006-07
Belanger spent part of the season with the Carolina Hurricanes before being traded to the Atlanta Thrashers. The Quebec native then made the move to the Minnesota Wild, where he would spend two full seasons, before being traded at last year’s trade deadline
to the Capitals.
Belanger will bring a strong veteran presence to the Coyotes as well as his superb two-way game. Phoenix is a club that relies heavily of their defensive game and Belanger should fit well into their system. Moreover, the 32-year-old is familiar with defensive
schemes having played under one in Minnesota.
With the loss of Matthew Lombardi the Coyotes have a major hole at the centre position. This gap down the middle could allow Belanger to spend significant time on the club’s first line. His propensity to contribute offensively while chipping in at the defensive
end could make Belanger a perfect fit for one of Phoenix’s top units.
Last season split between the Wild and the Capitals Belanger was able to accumulate 15 goals and 26 assists for 41 points in 77 games.
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