The 29-year-old, left winger – who can also play at center – returns to the club after starting this season of with EHC Freiburg in Germany’s DEL2, where he played in 25 matches and scored 10 points (7G, 3A).
Last season, Spencer led the entire Elite League in goals with 32 in the regular season and totalled 59 points, as well as scoring twice in the Challenge Cup and adding three more points in the playoffs.
The Minnesota native was also named to the EIHL’s Second All-Star Team last campaign and has previously played in the American Hockey League, ECHL, French top flight and Swedish third tier.
LEFEBVRE ON BRINGING NAAS BACK
After re-signing Spencer for the remainder of the season, Stars Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach, Marc LeFebvre, said: “We wanted Spencer all summer, he was my number one target to bring back but he decided to take up a different opportunity that he was afforded this summer and we respect that.
“Players have short careers and guys want to try different things, especially if they have had success already in one place, so they want to try and do it in another place.
“Spencer has been professional the whole way through that process throughout the summer and when I thought we needed an injection here around October time, I reached out to Spencer then and we had some good chats.
“Obviously it did not work out for different reasons but being the pro he is, he wanted to give it a good try over in Germany and I totally respect that, then Philippe (Sanche) became available and we were able to sign a great player in Phil and he has helped us since he came aboard.
“I just felt as time wore on, we needed another top six forward and we wanted to add more depth, especially with some long-term injuries to players such as Alex Tonge, who was a top six forward for us that we needed to replace.
“Then with Zach (Tsekos) and Kameron (Kielly) being out recently, I felt that we needed to step up and find a guy.
“We were close on three or four others but I kept in contact with Spencer and I have to give credit to some of the players who were here last year and who kept in touch with Spencer and were kind of in his ear the whole time about coming back.
“Things then ramped up here in the last 10 days or so, in terms of him coming back and things got serious over the last week.
“I turned down three or four other guys that I thought we were going to bring in because I just kept going back to Spencer with the hope that he would be the guy who wanted to come back here and help us out.
“Obviously, he has been a number one target for us to get back since last season, so it was a no brainer when you can add a guy who led the league in goals last season.
“He is also a great leader for our room, a true pro and I hope his work ethic rubs off on the other guys, especially some of the newer guys to our team this year because he is coming in to help us and I could not be happier to have Spencer back and to be working with him again.”
NAAS ON RETURNING TO DUNDEE
Once his return to the Stars was confirmed, Spencer said: “It feels great to be back in Dundee.
“I am so excited to join this year’s team and to contribute to what Marc has already been building with this year’s group, despite the bad luck with injuries so far, there seems to be a good energy with this group of players and I cannot wait to be a part of it.
“I think the comfort and familiarity with the Wards, Marc, the returning players from last year and the fans is what really drew me back.
“The support I have gotten here is so special and something that I am very grateful for.”
He continued: “I want to come in and try my best to add to what is already in place here.
“This is a new group and a new team from last year and I want to acclimate as quickly as possible but the ultimate goal would be to qualify for the playoffs and push for the playoff weekend in Nottingham.
“I think that is realistic for this group and I will do everything in my power to help the team achieve those goals.”
Naas will wear #18 for the Stars and will be in the line-up for this weekend’s matches against Coventry Blaze and Cardiff Devils.
To see Spencer’s career stats on Elite Prospects click HERE.
