The 30-year-old Canadian forward from Melita, Manitoba, has put pen to paper on a return to the Giants after a season back in North America where he married fiance, Jolie.

"I'm very excited about getting him back," said Giants' head coach Dave Whistle.

"He plays hard every game, he's a great skater, very offensive-minded, can play any position on the ice and he's very familiar with the league.

"He has a great attitude both on and off the ice and I know the fans will love having him back.

"He was a big hit in our first season not only with our fans but also with those at every other club.

"He was regarded very highly by opposing coaches and it's a major coup having him back.

"I know of at least two other Superleague teams that had approached him but his heart's here in Belfast."

The man himself is just as eager to return to the city.

"It all happened pretty quickly. Dave and I have kept in touch, then about a week ago he asked if I would be interested in coming back," said Kory.

"I talked it over with Jolie and a couple of days later it was signed and sealed.

"I started with the Peoria Rivermen last season but got traded after 11 games as the coach and I didn't see eye-to-eye.

"I was picked up by the Jackson Bandits and we had a pretty good season, reaching the second round of the East Coast Hockey League's play-offs.

"I had offers from teams in the AHL, ECHL and UHL, as well as Superleague.

Further signings

"But I always said that if I returned to Superleague there was only one club I'd go to and that is the Giants.

Korlander was a brilliant performer in his first season with the Giants.

He emerged as the club's top points scorer with 54 from 48 games, comprising 19 goals and 35 assists, the second highest goals tally and the most assists.

Last season he finished the second highest scorer with the Bandits, accumulating 17 goals and 33 assists for 50 points from 57 games.

Whistle hopes to announce further signings this week as he completes his roster for his third season in charge of the Giants.