Doug Clarkson, who helped Cardiff Devils win the Challenge Cup last year, has signed for Dundee Stars.
The free-scoring Canadian-born forward holds a British passport as he has a Scottish father who was born in Edinburgh and a maternal grandfather from Belfast.
Clarkson scored 20 goals and recorded 23 assists from 61 games last season with Cardiff. The 6ft 5in hit-man from Ontario admitted: “Obviously, leaving a place like Cardiff wasn’t easy.”
Clarkson is joining a club who finished bottom of the 10-strong Elite League last season.
But he added: “Even though last year did not go well for Dundee, I think the organisation are looking to build a good foundation and team which the fans can be proud to support.
“It’s exciting to be part of a process like that.”
He said: “Being in Scotland is obviously something that is important to me personally, but I think the biggest draw to Dundee was the potential I saw while playing against them last year and speaking with Marc (Lefebvre, the coach) about the direction the club is going.”
Lefebvre said: “Doug is a tough customer who will bring size and a physical presence to our line-up.
“This was an area where I felt the team needed to improve on from last season.
“He (Doug) also proved to have a nice scoring touch.
“I expect him to bring this and be a net presence for us this season,” Lefebvre added.