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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.

Scott Conway enjoys a big win. Image courtesy of Belfast Giants

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.

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 whoever Keefe brings in. 

Brandon Whistle - image courtesy of Sheffield Steelers 

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.

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.


We also know for sure 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. This week we discovered that young forward Mack Stewart would 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. 


✍🏻 𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: Mismash Brings Firepower to Blaze 🔗 https://t.co/mYlobEgmb1 pic.twitter.com/H9uVLoeaNd

— Coventry Blaze 🐲🏒 (@covblazehockey) June 26, 2025
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