The Kitmart Dundee Stars are delighted to announce the signing of Duncan Speirs for the 2019/20 campaign.
The 21-year old forward returns to Scotland after spending last year with the Sheffield Steeldogs in the National Ice Hockey Division 1.
Standing at six-foot tall, Speirs came through the Solway Sharks youth setup and played for their Under 18s, Under 20’s, Scottish National League and NIHL 1 teams.
The Irvine-born player has also iced for Scotland at Under11, Under 13, Under 15, Under 17 and Under 19 level before being selected for the GB Under 20’s squad twice.
He was signed by the then named, Braehead Clan in 2015 and made two appearances for them in the Challenge Cup, scoring a single goal before returning to Solway.
In 2017, the Edinburgh Capitals picked up Speirs and in seven games for the Caps he had a single assist and a single goal.
After six years with the Sharks and playing across three different leagues, Duncan headed south of the border to join NIHL Division 1 rivals, Sheffield.
Last season he had a career high year with the Steeldogs, accumulating 38 goals and 24 assists for 62 points in 40 matches.
Speirs was also signed by Ryan Finnerty last season and made a single appearance for Manchester Storm in the Challenge Cup.
Speirs has NIHL North championship and NIHL North playoff championship titles to his name after winning both competitions in 2016-17 with Solway.
Throughout his hockey career, Speirs has played alongside both past and present Stars such as Mark McGill, Ross McIntosh, Martin Cingel, Ben Edmonds, Josh Grieveson, Cameron McGiffin, Jordan Kelsall, Bari McKenzie, Tristan Harper, Travis Fullerton and Jordan Cownie.
Photo’s courtesy of Peter Best Photography
After adding a fourth Scottish player to his line-up for next year, head coach Omar Pacha said:
“I was looking for a left-shot guy and all the reports I had for Duncan was that he can potentially be a main Brit that can step into the league and have an impact.
“He has a good skillset, good size, a good shot, he sees the ice will and can makes plays, so he is one of the new guys im excited to see in camp.
“We found out that we were most likely not going to get (Jordan) Kelsall back and we wanted to replace him.
“Duncan is more of a project but with the ice time that (Craig) Garrigan and Kelsall had last year, there is no reason for him not to gain experience early on in the season and to get better on a weekly basis and hopefully we will be able to play him.
“However, it will depend on how his progression over the summer is but he has a great opportunity in Dundee and I want him to jump on it.
“I love the fact he is still young, he is only 21, so there is still a lot of years left.
“He is going to be a full-time player with us and I just think maybe we are going to get a player who can add a bit more throughout the season and he has a bit more offensive upside than Kelsall but we will just have to work on his defensive game.
“We want him to produce, when he gets an opportunity, we want him to make an impact and I’m sure he will.”
Photo’s courtesy of Peter Best Photography
After agreeing to make his return to Elite League hockey, Duncan said: “I am very excited to be part of the team this year.
“After a few chats with Omar, I know he is going to try and make me a better player and give me as much ice time as he can.
“The Elite League has a much faster pace and reactions have to be quicker, so from my previous season’s with Edinburgh and Braehead, I will know what to expect from the league going into it.
“I have always wanted to play at the highest standard I can and last year I had to go down south and progress so that I could step into the league this year.
“The NIHL helped me to get more ice time and play in more-specific roles and develop the right habits.
“I noticed Dundee likes to give more chances to young Brits and help them progress, so I just want put a hard shift every time I am out on the ice and make sure we have a successful season.”
Fans have also been given a second chance to get their season tickets for next season at the early bird price, as the deadline has been extended until the close of business on Monday June 10. Buy yours NOW from Dundee Ice Arena.
Duncan is our ninth signing of the summer and joins Drydn Dow, Jordan Cownie, Craig Garrigan, Kris Inglis, Matt Marquardt, Shawn Boutin, Alex Leclerc and Justin Maylan on Omar Pacha’s 2019/20 squad.
Speirs will wear # for Dundee this year.
To view Duncan’s career stats on Elite Prospects click HERE.
