Official release:
GLENDALE, ARIZONA --- Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have signed free agent center Eric Belanger to a one-year deal. As per Club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Last season, the 6-foot-0, 189-pound Belanger played 77 games with Minnesota and Washington, recording a career high 41 points (15-26-41) and 32 penalty minutes. Belanger started the season with the Wild but was acquired by the Capitals on March 3, 2010.
"We are excited to have Eric join us here in Phoenix," said Maloney. "He is a smart, quick, talented center who plays well on both sides of the puck. We had identified Eric early in the free agency period as someone who would be a great fit with us and feel fortunate we are able to bring him to the Coyotes organization."
Belanger has scored 13 or more goals and registered 33 or more points in seven of his nine seasons in the NHL. He scored a career-high 17 goals with Los Angeles during the 2005-06 campaign and with Carolina and Atlanta in 2006-07.
The 32-year-old native of Sherbrooke, Quebec has played nine seasons in the National Hockey League with Los Angeles, Carolina, Atlanta, Minnesota and Washington collecting 121-178-299 and 283 penalty minutes in 634 career NHL games. Belanger has also played in 37 playoff games registering 2-5-7. He was drafted by Los Angeles (4th round, 96th overall) in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.