Last week, the Stena Line Belfast Giants confirmed the signing of talented Swedish star Henrik Eriksson for the remainder of the 2022/23 season and the 26-year-old’s arrival has already caused a bit of a stir.
Eriksson, who can be deployed as either a centreman or a winger, will wear the #91 jersey during his stint with the Giants and he arrives on Northern Irish shores from Norwegian outfit Lillehammer with a reputation for producing game-changing moments.
Indeed, the stylish Swede lodged 14 goals and 16 assists for Lillehammer in 29 games before his switch to Belfast and Giants’ head coach Adam Keefe was understandably excited about the capture saying, “We’re excited to welcome Henrik to the team. He’s a skilled player that can skate and really shoot the puck.
“Bringing in a player like Henrik, who was putting up some good numbers this season in Norway and playing with confidence, we hope can help add to our offensive output.
“Eriksson played for Ritten back in the 2018 Continental Cup clash versus the Giants which helped land him here today, as he is excited to play in front of the fans for the Giants this time around. “
Eriksson’s career to date
Eriksson started his career on the ice in his native Sweden, where he came through the youth team ranks at Djurgårdens IF before making his senior bow in the Swedish Hockey League in 2007.
In 2009, Eriksson moved down a division to represent Mora IK, where his goal-scoring exploits turned heads and earned him a more prominent place in the team when he returned to Djurgårdens IF in 2012.
Later, Eriksson enjoyed jaunts in Austria and Italy in the exciting Alps Hockey League before settling in Norway, first with Ringerike and then with Lillehammer, where the expert goal-getter really honed his finishing skills.
In three and a half campaigns on the ice in the Fjordkraftligaen, Eriksson rattled the net 63 times and claimed 113 assists, though he leaves Lillestrom with the club currently in last place in the division.
Eriksson looking forward to Belfast adventure
Eriksson has played at The SSE Arena in Belfast before for his former employers, Ritten Sport. Eriksson was part of the Ritten outfit that lost 6-2 to the Giants in the semi-finals of the IIHF Continental Cup Group E in 2018/19 and the Swedish winger cannot wait to play at that venue again.
Speaking to the Giants’ official website, Eriksson said: “I’m looking forward to arriving in Belfast and getting to work. I’ve heard great things about the Elite Ice Hockey League, and the Giants, too, so that’s exciting. When I played at the Giants’ home arena in 2018, the atmosphere and facilities were amazing – I can’t wait to get back.
“In terms of my plans for the rest of the season; I hope to get my head down, make some key plays on the ice, and ultimately, get the puck past the opposing goalies and into the back of the net – and have fun while doing so!”
Eriksson will hope to make his first appearances in the Giants’ colours in Belfast later this month.
Giants hoping for Eriksson goalscoring-boost
Belfast Giants are listed among the favourites to win this season’s EIHL with most online betting sites, though there is a belief that the acquisition of the experienced Eriksson can strengthen their pursuit of silverware even further.
The Giants haven’t been short of goals in the EIHL this season, plundering 122 of them in the division so far – a haul bettered only by Sheffield Steelers (125) – and the goal-scoring power in the ranks was evident again last weekend when they came from behind to win in successive meetings with Dundee Stars.
Eriksson was Lillehammer’s leading points provider (30) in the first half of the Fjordkraftligaen season in Norway and he managed to keep his individual numbers high despite his team losing a whopping 50% of their matches in the division.
Giants’ mid-season recruitment drive
Henrik Eriksson’s arrival follows hot on the heels of the return of netminder Tyler Beskorowany, who performed a dramatic u-turn on his decision to retire at the end of last season.
The Canadian national won the Elite League’s Goaltender of the Year Award in 2021-22 before taking off the pads, and his know-how on the ice and vast experience should be a major boost to the Giants’ chances of finishing the current campaign as top dogs.
Beskorowany, of course, is a two-time Elite League champion with the Giants, and after some reflection, the 32-year-old accepted the opportunity to return to Belfast.
“I’ve had some time to recharge the batteries, reflect, and spend time with my wife, Sarah, and my son, Austen, back home in Canada,” explained the 32-year-old following his return.
“I’ve stayed connected with Steve [Thornton] and Adam [Keefe’ since I left, and when the opportunity arose for me to return to my second home, Belfast – and play again, I couldn’t turn it down.
“I’m looking forward to getting back between the pipes and getting to work, catching up with my teammates from last season, meeting the new guys, and playing in front of the Teal Army once again, there’s no better fan base, and no better feeling.”
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