Belfast Giants have secured the services of Steve Saviano for the 2016/17 Elite League season.

The 34-year-old American forward spent last year with Bolzano Foxes in the Austrian Hockey League, where he posted 11 goals with 19 assists to help his team reach the play-offs.

Saviano previously played in the Swedish Elite League for Djurgårdens and Växjö Lakers HC and also had four successful years playing NCAA hockey with the University of New Hampshire.

Saviano, whose signing was made possible by the Giants’ partnership with Ulster University, spoke to A View From The Bridge about what the club’s fans can expect from him.

“I work really hard on the ice every night,” he said. “I usually bring a lot of speed and try to be a good teammate. I give it my all and that is all I can really do every night.

“It will be a fantastic experience for my family – I’m excited about the opportunity and I cannot wait to get going in Belfast.”

Steve Thornton, Giants’ Head of Hockey Operations, added: “Derrick Walser and I wanted to have a team that would be relentless in puck pursuit and Steve is a guy who ticks all of the boxes.

“Steve will make his linemates better – he can take ‘D’ men on one-on-one, goes to the net hard and is easy to play with.

“He has played in a lot of good leagues in Europe and had a great college career. Regardless of where we put him, Steve will produce for us.”