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Building for the new season in Belfast


With Adam Keefe's testimonial and their HospICE Hockey fundraising game in the rear-view mirror, it's time for Belfast Giants to set their sights on the season ahead and their first announcement, late last week, was a belter as they confirmed Keefe would return for another season as head coach.

In addition to Keefe's return the first player signing of the new season has been announced, with the return of fan-favourite forward Scott Conway. The team's top scorer last season, is beloved by Giants fans and the sort of character this league needs more of. His ability to wind up the opposition means opposing fans love to hate him and he does a brilliant job of finding motivation for his teammates and weak spots in the opposing team's armour.

Conway may have been the first returnee to be announced, but the news is coming thick and fast now, with Scott's linemates David Goodwin and JJ Piccinich back for more and Ben Lake committing to his sixth season at the SSE Arena. They've been followed by the Giants' swiss army knife as versatile utility player Ciaran Long signs up for another season and Jordan Kawaguchi returns for his sophomore run as a Giant.

Ryan Smith will be a new face on the roster, the American forward joins from DEL2 side Selber Wölfe and provides coach Keefe with options as he is at home both at centre and on the right wing. He'll have company in the form of Jake Gaudet, a Canadian forward who joins from the AHL's Cleveland Monsters.

Marcus Eriksson joins from Skellefteå AIK. The 39 year old Swedish centre is known as a wily playmaker and a power play specialist. His talent and experience will be key to the team's approach to the Champions Hockey League. Another player joining with experience of Sweden's HockeyAllsvenskan is Patrick Grasso, the high energy forward has a knack for finding the net and will add to the Giants' goalscoring threats. 26 year old Nicolas Guay also joins, following a period playing for Trois-Riviéres Lions in the ECHL where he scored 13 goals and 24 assists over 59 regular season games.

The goalkeeping situation is also becoming clearer, with Jackson Whistle returning to the net he has quietly but confidently made his own over the last couple of seasons. Always a reliable backup, he has matured into one of the better options in the league as a starter and will relish the challenge of vying for the job with his fellow netminders.


Whistle will be joined this season by younger brother Brandon. The hard-hitting two-way forward joins for Sheffield Steelers adding grit to the lineup and a useful British qualified player to the roster.

Jackson will be competing with new signing Alexis Gravel. The former Chicago Blackhawks draft pick has recent European experience with DEL outfit Adler Mannheim to add to plenty of ECHL minutes with Orlando Solar Bears and the Allen Americans. Ballymoney's favourite son completes the goalie line-up, Andrew Dickson adding to his 15 years of service to the club.


The defence is starting to take shape with the news that Josh Roach will return for a fifth season in teal and you can read our interview with Josh here. His partner from last season, Bo Hanson, will also be returning to reform one of the best pairs in the league. They'll be joined on the backline by a new addition to the Giants. GB defenceman Sam Jones joins from Guildford to add to a stronger-than-ever Brit core at the club. Most recently, fan-favourite defenceman Gabe Bast announced his return and Mike Lee is back in Belfast for another season.


There are new faces on the blue line too, Canadian duo Reid Irwin and Garrett McFadden both bring hockey smarts and reliable, two-way play to the team.

In addition, young defenceman Rhodes Mitchell-King continues on a two-way contract with Telford Tigers, for whom he won multiple awards last season. Kell Beattie and Carter Hamill also continue their two-way agreements with Solway Sharks.

Of course, amongst the excitement of returns and new signings, we have to acknowledge that some players won't be back. In May the team confirmed Pierre-Olivier Morin would not return, he has instead signed with Boxers Bordeaux to play in France. Young forward Mack Stewart will also move on, signing his first full-time EIHL contract to join Coventry Blaze where he will be joined by Grant Mismash and Elijah Barriga. Mason Alderson, who was also on a two-way contract with the Giants has signed for Fife Flyers for the new season.

More recently, Karl Boudrias has confirmed a return to his native Québec with Trois Rivières of the ECHL, the club have confirmed Jeff Baum will not be back for the new season and Mark Cooper has decided to hang up his skates!

Popular forward Bobo Carpenter returns to the US to join Kansas City Mavericks after one season in Belfast. 


Images courtesy of Belfast Giants (except Brandon Whistle photo which is courtesy of Sheffield Steelers)
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