Kingdom Of The Giants :: Belfast Giants Fan Community, News & Views
Ruff 'n Tumbles
07-Aug-2007 | Discuss this Article
The Coors Belfast Giants today announced the retirement of all time top point scorer Jason Ruff. Ruff had agreed to return to the lineup for the upcoming season, but personal reasons intervened and Ruff asked coach Ed Courtenay for his release.
In 194 games in the Teal, White and Red including one season as captain and 2 seasons as an assistant coach, Ruff notched up 100 goals and 145 assists, managing to tally 368 penalty minutes at the same time.
Along with Sean Berens and Kevin Riehl, Jason Ruff formed one of the great lines of the ISL and led the Giants to their first ever Championship back in the 2nd season of franchise history. During a disappointing Giants season in 2003-2004 Jason Ruff was peerless carrying the whole franchise on his back amassing 38+56=94 in just 58 games leading the newly formed Elite League in scoring on a poor team.
Considered by many as THE best Belfast Giant, we here at KotG wish the 2003-2004 KotG MVP the best in his future endeavours.
Given the unenviable task of replacing Mr Giants in the lineup for the new season is 33 year old Ryan Smith, signing from the German lower leagues where he has played for the past few seasons. In 2006-2007 for the Rosenheim Star Bulls, Smyth notched 14 goals and 30 assists in 30 games. He certainly has a lot to live up to.
This final, unexpected, piece of the Giants puzzle fell into place just one day after Ed Courtenay announced the final defenceman to play for the Giants next season. Troy Neumeier joins from the Lubbock Cotton Kings of the UHL. A former Manchester Storm defenseman with several seasons of AHL experience, the Giants will be hoping he is a rock on defense this coming season.
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League Standings
| P | TEAM | GP | W(OT) | L(OT) | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giants | 54 | 46(0) | 5(3) | 95 |
| 2 | Steelers | 54 | 41(0) | 11(2) | 84 |
| 3 | Panthers | 54 | 38(0) | 12(4) | 80 |
| 4 | Devils | 54 | 32(0) | 12(10) | 74 |
| 5 | Blaze | 54 | 32(0) | 20(2) | 66 |
| 6 | Clan | 54 | 31(0) | 19(4) | 66 |
| 7 | Stingrays | 54 | 16(0) | 34(4) | 36 |
| 8 | Stars | 54 | 13(0) | 35(6) | 32 |
| 9 | Capitals | 54 | 13(0) | 37(4) | 30 |
| 10 | Flyers | 54 | 8(0) | 40(6) | 22 |
Giants' Stat Leaders
| Points | Robert Dowd | 78 |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | Robert Dowd | 40 |
| Assists | Craig Peacock | 49 |
| PIM | Adam Keefe | 247 |