Edinburgh Capitals sign Canadian tough guy Ian Schultz

Ian Schultz has played nearly 300 professional games in North America

Schultz, brought in by player-coach Michal Dobron to add physicality to the Caps line-up, has played nearly 300 professional games in North America, amassing over 650 penalty minutes. However, the 26-year-old is far from one dimensional, scoring 29 goals and adding 34 assists in 75 games with his previous club, Allen Americans, where he was part of a championship-winning team in the East Coast Hockey League.

Caps co-owner Scott Neil expects 6ft 2in Schultz to tick a number of boxes for the club and said: “I wouldn’t class him as an out-and-out enforcer. He’s tough, rugged and can stick up for himself but he’s proven in the last few years he can put up good numbers too, and that’s what we were looking for.

“Schultz is someone who you could play on any of our first three lines. Yes, he can stick up for his team-mates, but he’s also someone we can expect to contribute. He’s been on teams where he has played an aggressive role but, when given the chance, he’s enjoyed his opportunity to play the game and has done very well, and that’s what we want to see from him in Edinburgh.

“We have signed a very flexible group of forwards that Michal can use to play different positions and roles within the team. Ian is another example of this strategy that we hope will help us have a successful season.”