The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Stars bolster their defence by signing GB man O’Connor
Dundee Stars have sealed the signing of Great Britain defenceman Ben O’Connor on a two-year contract.
The 35-year-old blueliner joins the club from Guildford Flames, where he has spent two years and last season contributed 41 points in 68 games.
O’Connor, who has won two Elite Ice Hockey League Championships, one Play-off Championship and a Challenge Cup, was part of the Flames side that challenged for a league title in the 2022-23 season.
Stars head coach Marc LeFebvre hailed the capture, saying: “This is a massive signing for our club and it is a message of intent of where we want to take things next season.
“We want to improve our team defensively and especially on the powerplay as well.
“We did finish with the fourth best powerplay last season but we can always improve and get better.
“I think what we were missing a bit last year was that championship pedigree.
“We had a great group of guys but we just missed that element that Ben brings us, which is championshipwinning experience.
“We want to look up the table and take things a step further again this year.”
After completing the deal to become a Star,
O’Connor said: “I have known Marc for many years and played with him in Edinburgh back in the day and we have always kept in touch.
“He is a great guy, who has a big passion for the game and wants to develop and get better to take Dundee to that next level.
“We have always been in touch and he has always been in my ear about coming to join him, so when we spoke this year about what he is trying to build in Dundee, I wanted to be a part of that.”
The Englishman, who has dual-nationality with Canada, has represented Team GB on 94 occasions at senior level, plus five times for the under-20s and four times for the under-18s.
The veteran defender is highly decorated with three gold medals, three silver medals and a bronze medal on the international stage and is on international duty with Team GB for their warm-up games against Poland before this summer’s World Championships in the Czech Republic.
O’Connor made his professional debut in 2003 with Hull Thunder in the British National League and played his first Elite League game in 2007 with Basingstoke Bison before spells with Edinburgh Capitals, Coventry Blaze, Sheffield Steelers, Cardiff Devils and Flames.