Shawn Germain, among the Reign’s steadiest defensemen on the back end, and an alternate captain in the team’s inaugural season, is coming back.

The 26-year-old Alberta native joins David Walker and Chad Starling — both alternate captains, too — as well as newcomer Brian Kilburg on the Reign blue line. In 68 regular-season games last season, Germain had two goals and 12 points. He also added three goals — tied for third on the team — in seven playoff games.

Germain’s reputation is that of an intense competitor in games and practices, and a good citizen off the ice. His team-low minus-25 rating was deceiving. The 6-foot-1 defenseman was often matched up against the opposing team’s best forwards, and the entire team’s plus-minus rating was brought down by a deep even-strength goal disparity.

Still, he probably wishes it wasn’t a team low … we’ll try to update with comments from Germain soon.