FORMER NHL star Ryan Potulny has become Braehead Clan's latest recruit after joining the club from ECH Linz of Austria.

The 32-year-old American forward has more than 100 NHL appearances to his name for Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators.

He has also played more than 500 games in the AHL, where he won the Calder Cup with Binghamton Senators in 2011, and represented his country in the 2010 World Championships. 

Potulny now arrives in the UK for the first time and believes his wealth of experience will be a useful asset for the Purple Army in the coming campaign.

“I bring experience and I’ll be the sort of player that will be there for them if they need answers,” he said.

“I also try to do the right things on and off the ice. But I don’t cheat my offence and I consider myself to be a good defensive player also.  I think it’s important in a player to be dependable.

“If your team-mates know they can lean on you, it goes a long way.  Hopefully I can chip in offensively too with some points on the board.

“I’ll take the chances when they arise and I feel the offensive side of the game comes from defensive and it grows from there.”

Clan head coach John Tripp thinks that his latest signing could prove to be a key component of his squad as they shape up for the 2017/18 season. 

“We’re pleased to get someone of Ryan’s calibre signed for the new season and in many ways, I think he’s a game changer for us," he said.

“His quality has served him well throughout his career and you just need to see what he’s done and where’s he played to understand just what he brings.

“Ryan will be our top line centre and a player I think that will bring good offence to this team and be the sort of player that can help with defence too.

“He’s a player that will become a key component to what we want to do at Braehead Clan and someone that will excite the fans.”