National Hockey League

Phoenix signs C Belanger

Published Sep. 14, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Phoenix Coyotes have added a gritty veteran by signing free agent Eric Belanger to a one-year contract.

Terms of the deal weren't released.

Belanger started last season with Minnesota and was traded to Washington, finishing with a career-high 41 points, including 15 goals. The nine-year veteran has bounced around the NHL, playing for Los Angeles, Carolina and Atlanta before spending two seasons with the Wild.

A heady two-way player, Belanger has 121 goals and 178 assists in 634 career games.

He made a name for himself in Game 5 of last year's playoffs against Montreal by having emergency dental work done at the arena and returning for the third period after a wayward stick struck him in the mouth and knocked out six teeth.

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