HOT-SHOT Kevin Riehl finally inked a two year deal with the Belfast Giants today.

From the back of a tractor out on the vast Canadian prairie somewhere in Alberta, Kevin said. ‘I really like Dave’s style of coaching and the type of players he attracts and it seemed the natural thing to do to follow him to Belfast.

‘These last few years I’ve played in North America, Italy Germany and England, and I thought it would be nice to see Northern Ireland, I’ve heard a lot of good things about the place and I’m confident we can put out a competitive team that can finish in the top four if not higher.

‘I experienced being part of a new team when I played for the Birmingham Bulls in Alabama, and once the people there saw their first game they were hooked, I’m sure it will be the same in Belfast.’

Twenty-eight-year-old Riehl finished second in the points scoring charts in all competitions last season with 40 goals and 42 assists for 82 points, and he follows former Bracknell Bees’ coach Dave Whistle across the Irish sea to Northern Ireland, having played a major part in helping the Berkshire outfit lift the Superleague title.

‘Last year Dave used me as the sparkplug to get things going and find the back of the net and I see no reason why my role won’t be the same with the Giants.’

Which is exactly the role Coach Whistle sees him fulfilling: ‘I’ll be looking to him to get us the goals, he’s an out-and-out goalscorer and will bring a lot of offence to our team.

‘He’s one of the most gifted players I’ve ever been associated with, he is a total team member, a leader both on and off the ice and a pleasure to have on board. Signing Kevin Riehl can only attract more quality players to this hockey club.’

Known as ‘Louis’ after Louis Riel, one of Canada’s founding fathers, Riehl topped the Bees’ scoring averages, his skating ability allowing him to find the net from almost anywhere on the ice.

Drafted by the NHL’s newly crowned Stanley Cup winning New Jersey Devils he began his hockey career with a five year stint in the Western Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers. He then spent split the 1992-93 between the Birmingham Bulls (ECHL), Cincinnati Cyclones (IHL) and Utica Devils (AHL).

After two more seasons in North America with the Raleigh Ice Caps (ECHL) and Albany River Rats (AHL) he moved over to Europe spending two seasons in Italy with Alleghe and then Milan before moving to England and the Bees.

A crossword addict , these days his time away from the ice is spent helping wife Coralee look after their seven-month-old son, Cody.

Raised on the family farm just outside Medicine-Hat in Alberta, which is where he started his hockey career playing, he was an eleventh round draft pick of New Jersey, at the tender age of 19: ‘… which a bit of a surprise as I’d already talked with Buffalo!’ he explained.

He nevertheless signed a three-year contract with the Devils and despite three successful training camps never made it to the NHL, spending time in the farm system in all three of the major minor leagues.

‘I actually spent my first year as a pro playing for Kurt Kleinendorst (the former Manchester Storm coach) at the Raleigh Icecaps and enjoyed it.’

However, his first stint with Raleigh was cut short by a serious knee injury: ‘I’d only been in the minors about two weeks and I completely tore my anterior cruciate ligament in my knee. I didn’t want to get it operated on and tried to make it back but, it didn’t hold together and I ended up having the surgery and sitting out for about five months,’ he said.

After time in the minors he decided to try Europe and spent two seasons each in Germany and Italy.

Returning home to work on the farm through the summer, Kevin was unsure of the future in Italy and when his agent, a friend of Dave Whistle mentioned Britain and Bracknell, he thought, ‘Why not, at least the language will be okay.’

The Riehls’ summers are spent on the family farm and Kevin admits: ‘I enjoy going home and helping out my Dad. We’ve got a mixed farm, grain crops and cattle so it is pretty busy, I also try to play some golf too.’

For further information contact: Peter Collins on
028 9059 1111

Pictures Of Kevin Riehl are available from Superleague’s Official Photographer Mike Smith, who can be contacted on: 0831 108680