The Kitmart Dundee Stars are delighted to announce the signing of Canadian defenceman, Craig Gans.
The 27-year old joins from, Dunkerque in the French Division 2 and at six-foot-four, Omar Pacha was pleased to add size to his line-up.
The Olds, Alberta native started his career in 2007-08 with junior side, Leduc Oil Kings before having a brief end of season spell with Olds Grizzlys.
Whilst playing with the Alberta Junior League side, he was teammates with former Star, Brett Switzer.
Gans continued to ice with the Oil Kings for another year before re-joining his hometown team in 2008 until 2012.
In three seasons he made, 128 appearances and racked up 57 points for the Grizzlys.
The right-handed defender finished the 2011-12 season with junior team, Okotoks Oilers, before moving on again in the summer, as he signed with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, who play in the Alberta College Athletic Conference.
Craig played four years with SAIT while completing his studies and in 2014-15 he also briefly iced with Okotoks Drillers of the Chinook Hockey League.
During his second year with SAIT, the Canadian was part of team that were crowned CCAA Champions.
After completing his college course, Gans moved on to Sweden and in 2016/17 signed for Swedish Division 2 club, Hofors HC.
Despite the team having a poor campaign, which seen them saved from relegation by a play-off, Craig led the team in points with 39 from 36 games.
The following season seen Gans switch clubs as he signed for Division 2 rivals, Olofströms IK before again moving on the next year but to France this time as he spent a year with Dunkerque.
Last season, the blue-liner scored five times and assisted on four goals in 26 games.
Images courtesy of Corsaires de Dunkerque
After signing his fifth defender, Pacha said:
“We really wanted to add a bit more size and Craig is a six-foot-four guy, that can skate hard, take the body and can make that first pass, every team needs a piece of the puzzle like Craig.
“I think he will do well and he will bring a bit more toughness to our line-up, that’s something we lacked a bit at the back last year.
“He will play more of a defensive role but he is another guy that will add depth to the squad but going forward he has a really great shot on him as well and he has shown in the past that he can produce offence too.
“Craig is a guy that is going to be ready to jump into the play or make that good first pass but most importantly he will play strong defensively and cut time and space off of the other team and he will be strong in front of the net to protect Alex (Leclerc).”
Images courtesy of Corsaires de Dunkerque
Once his move to the UK was confirmed, Craig said:
“I am very excited and feel privileged to be able to get that opportunity to be a member of the organisation and the family.
“I have heard nothing but good things and I had a good talk with Omar, he filled me in on the organisation.
“He said it’s a hard-nose league and that he expects me to use my body and use my size which is part of my game and hopefully it is going to help out the team.”
Season tickets are still available for fans to purchase from the DIA. Buy yours NOW.
Also Odense Bulldogs tickets are now on sale from Dundee Ice Arena and from dundeestars.com
Craig is our fourteenth signing of the summer and joins Drydn Dow, Jordan Cownie, Craig Garrigan, Matt Marquardt, Kris Inglis, Shawn Boutin, Alex Leclerc, Justin Maylan, Duncan Speirs, Anthony Beauregard, Brett Stovin, Reilly O’Connor and Colton Kroeker in the line-up for the upcoming Elite League campaign.
Gans will wear #53 for Dundee this year.
To view Craig’s career stats on Elite Prospects click HERE.
