BRAEHEAD CLAN insist they did everything they could in their failed bid to lure star man Leigh Salters back for next season.
The 26-year-old Canadian put pen to paper yesterday on a deal with EIHL rivals Cardiff Devils, turning down the opportunity to stay in Glasgow for a second term.
Racking up an impressive 32 goals and 35 assists from 58 games, Salters was an integral part of Ryan Finnerty's side who were pipped to the league title by a point.
Herald Sport has learned talks had been ongoing for weeks between both parties. However, it is understood the lure of off-ice benefits was too much for the former Worcester Shark to turn down.
Clan hockey operations director Gareth Chalmers explained: "The club were very, very keen to get Leigh back and did all it could to do just that.
"We spoke to him over a prolonged period and made him a very good offer to come back. He was an integral part of our success last year, and Leigh was made fully aware of how valued he is here.
"As is commonplace in the league, players get offered the benefit of furthering their education off the ice. We understand Leigh was offered an MBA as part of his deal in Cardiff, which is something we can only provide at under-graduate level.
"We tried everything we could to keep him. However, as a club we appreciate the short careers hockey players have and superior deals are difficult to turn down when they come along."
Despite the blow of losing one of their best players, Chalmers remains upbeat about their recruitment drive.
He said: While we're very disappointed to lose such a good player, we wish Leigh all the best for the future. A very professional player on and off the ice.
"We will continue with a recruitment policy which worked out so well for us last season."
Meanwhile, it is understood Clan bosses are hoping to hear back from netminder Kyle Jones before the end of the month for a decision on his future.
Arguably the club's best-ever goalie, the Canadian has been given time to decide if a third term in Scotland is for him.
The news comes just a day after Braehead revealed Welsh forward Ben Davies is to return for another season in purple.
He said: "I loved being around the team and the set-up in Glasgow. When the club asked me about the possibility of coming back, I was thrilled.
"Coming to Scotland was a change for me after being in Cardiff for a number of years and I couldn't have been happier at how it all went.
"Personally, I want to improve on the points total I got last season. For me, it wasn't as good as what I had a couple of years ago at Cardiff and I'm keen to better that."
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