Belfast Giants

Last updated

Belfast Giants
2021 Belfast Giants logo.png
City Belfast, Northern Ireland
League Elite Ice Hockey League
Founded2000
Home arena SSE Arena Belfast
ColoursTeal, red, black, gold, white
     
Owner(s)Odyssey Trust Ltd.
Head coach Adam Keefe [1]
CaptainMark Cooper [2]
Website www.belfastgiants.com
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Kit shorts icehockey.svg
Home colours
Kit left arm icehockey.svg
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Kit shorts icehockey.svg
Away colours
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Third colours
Franchise history
2000–presentBelfast Giants
Championships
Regular season titles(7) 2001–02, 2005–06, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2018–19, 2021–22, 2022–23
Playoff championships(3) 2002–03, 2009–10, 2022–23
Knockout Cups(1) 2008–09
Challenge Cups(5) 2008–09, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2021–22, 2022–23
Hockey current event.svg Current season

The Belfast Giants (known officially as the Stena Line Belfast Giants due to sponsorship) [3] are a professional ice hockey team based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. [4] They compete in the UK's Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). They play their home games at the SSE Arena (formerly known as the Odyssey Arena) and are owned by the Odyssey Trust, a charitable company set up to hold and maintain the Odyssey complex, including the SSE Arena and its facilities. The Giants operated as the anchor tenant for the Arena at its opening before becoming an integrated part of the organisation. [5] [1]

Contents

Since their inception in 2000, the Giants have won sixteen major honours, including seven British league championships (by finishing top of the regular season standings), three British national championships (by winning the post-season play-off tournament), and five Challenge Cups.

History

Background and creation of franchise

The Belfast Giants Ltd. was founded in 1997 by two Canadian businessmen, Bob Zeller and his associate Albert Maasland, after Zeller was in talks with the British Ice Hockey Superleague (BISL) to launch a new franchise in the United Kingdom. The city of Belfast was chosen, with its new £92 million Millennium Commission project, the Odyssey Complex, due to be completed with the addition of a deal brokered between the Odyssey Trust and facility management company SMG to house the new hockey team in the arena. On 22 March 2000, the BISL confirmed that the Belfast Giants had been accepted into the league to begin play in September for the 2000-01 season.

In order to build a competitive roster for the new club, Bob Zeller approached Bracknell Bees championship-winning head coach Dave Whistle to become the first head coach of the Belfast Giants. Initially, Whistle was sceptical, deterred by having seen the violent footage of The Troubles on North American news media. In response, Zeller invited Whistle to visit Belfast and experience the changing city first-hand. Following his visit, Whistle agreed on a 3-year deal to coach the Giants. Whistle's roster recruitment began by looking toward his championship team in Bracknell, signing seven core players from that team to build upon in Belfast: Shane Johnson, Todd Kelman, Rob Stewart, Todd Goodwin, Kevin Riehl, Paxton Schulte, and Colin Ward. The captaincy was awarded to incumbent signing Jeff Hoad, with assistants Jason Bowen and Colin Ward.

Superleague era (2000-03)

Inaugural season

The beginning of the inaugural Giants season was marred with difficulties as the opening of the Odyssey Arena was delayed until early December 2000. This meant that the Giants were forced to play their first 15 games of the season on the road, without consistent ice-time for training or practice. Regardless, the Giants made their debut on 16 September 2000 against the Nottingham Panthers losing 5–1, with Kory Karlander scoring the club's first ever goal. The next evening, the Giants would travel to Bracknell in an unwelcome return for Whistle and his former Bees core. The Giants came out on top 6-5 after a shoot-out for their first ever win. However, the Giants would win only 4 out of 15 games to start the year.

Finally, the Giants played their first home game against the Ayr Scottish Eagles on 2 December 2000 to a sell-out crowd of 7,300 in what Whistle described as an "awesome spectacle" despite a 2–1 defeat. In the first period, Paxton Schulte would score the only goal for the Giants and fought Trevor Doyle shortly after, cementing his overnight status as a cult player for the hometown fans. The home ice proved to instigate a turn in fortune for the Giants mid-way through the season, playing in front of a consistently sold-out Odyssey Arena. The Giants would finish the season with a respectable 17-16-6-9 record, finishing in 6th place, and progressing into Group A of the playoffs to then be knocked out with a 3–3 record. The Giants saw more success in the Challenge Cup, finishing 1st in the group stage to progress to the two-leg semi-final against the Sheffield Steelers. The Giants won the first leg, 2–1, and lost the second leg, 7–0, for an 8-2 aggregate loss.

First Championship

Dave Whistle re-signed ten members of the original line-up for the Giants second season, adding only six to the new roster; defencemen Chad Allan and Terran Sandwith, forwards Curt Bowen, Dave Matsos and Jason Ruff, and Mike Bales in goal. Jeff Hoad, Jason Bowen, and Colin Ward would retain their roles as captain and assistant captains respectively, to be joined by Sandwith as a third assistant captain. The season began with an exhibition tournament, the BT Ice Cup, hosted by the Giants with invitations to the London Knights, Eisbären Berlin, and the Frankfurt Lions.

In their first league game, the Giants suffered a 9–3 defeat to the London Knights. This would be followed by a succession of sub-par performance on the road. By late September, Whistle decided to bring in centre Sean Berens to bolster the Giants offence. Berens' arrival and subsequent placement on the first line with Riehl and Ruff would prove a catalyst for the Giants' success to come. The Giants would go on a 9-game unbeaten streak shortly thereafter, which was broken by two losses, the first away in London and the second at home to the Nottingham Panthers on 16 October, which would be their last home defeat of the season. The Giants would then win 7–2 at home against Ayr to gain 1st place, where the team would remain for the rest of the season.

Following a 4–1 win at Sheffield on 17 January 2001, the Giants travelled to Bracknell needing only 1 point to win the league. On the 19th January, in a poetic return to Bracknell for Whistle and his former Bees core, the Giants would force a 2–2 draw with the home side to clinch their first ever championship with a league record-breaking 16-game unbeaten streak. Upon their arrival back in Belfast, the Giants were welcomed at Belfast City Airport by over one thousand boisterous fans. Unfortunately the Giants would struggle with a championship hangover as the team botched come playoff time, not making it past the qualification group. The Giants would, however, advance to the Challenge Cup final for the first time in their history, only to be stifled 5-0 by the Scottish Eagles. That particular match became known amongst fans of the Belfast Giants at that time as 'Black Sunday' A reference to the jersey worn by the team during the match, introduced for the occasion of their inaugural Challenge cup as well as the day it was played on and the heavy defeat by a team that had suffered crushing losses to them during the regular season. Hockey fans who watched that game and also watched the Winter Olympics Men's Ice Hockey final later on/in the early hours of the next day would have seen Theo Fleury, a later Giants signing receive his gold medal as part of the winning team.

Playoff title and Superleague's demise

With the eventual demise of the Superleague in mid-2003, there were concerns that the Giants organisation would not survive because of developing financial issues. The club ran up debts of approximately £1.4 million, with Maasland saying that the Giants were "by far and away the worst business [he had] been involved in". One partner company was believed to be owed nearly £65,000. However, facing the threat of liquidation, creditors voted to accept a 20p-to-the-pound pay-out, allowing the club to continue under new ownership of local businessman Jim Gillespie and join the newly established first-tier of British ice hockey dubbed the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL).

Elite League era (2003-present)

The Belfast Giants have won six EIHL regular season titles - the most recent of which came during the 2022-23 campaign, five Challenge Cup titles (including in 2017–18, 2018–19, 2021–22 and 2022–23), and two play-off championships.

Belfast Giants were added to EA Sports' NHL 20 game, enabling players to take control of the Giants in the Champions Hockey League. [6]

The 2019–20 EIHL season was cancelled on 13 March 2020 with the remaining league fixtures and subsequent play-offs scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Challenge Cup was the only competition to see a winner crowned. [7]

The 2020–21 Elite League season - originally pencilled in for a revised start date of 5 December - was suspended on 15 September 2020, because of ongoing uncertainty over coronavirus pandemic restrictions. The EIHL board determined that the season was non-viable without supporters being permitted to attend matches and unanimously agreed to a suspension. [8] The season was cancelled completely in February 2021. [9]

In March 2022, the Belfast Giants won their fourth Challenge Cup title after beating the Cardiff Devils 3–2 in overtime at the SSE Arena. The victory made head coach Adam Keefe the most successful in Giants history. [10] The Giants then clinched the 2021–22 Elite League title in April, after a 2-1 shootout victory over the Sheffield Steelers. [11] However they missed out on the treble after losing the 2022 EIHL play-off final 6-3 to the Cardiff Devils. [12]

Treble winners

The Belfast Giants won their fifth Challenge Cup in March 2023 following a 9-3 victory against the Fife Flyers in a sold out SSE Arena. [13] The following month they clinched the 2022–23 Elite League title with a 6-1 victory against the Guildford Flames, thus making them the most successful team in the Elite League era as of 2023. [14] They then completed the Elite League grand slam with a 4-1 victory over Cardiff in the play-off final - becoming the first team to win all three domestic trophies in the same season since Nottingham in 2013. [15]

Team information

Logos and uniforms

Since 2000 the Giants' main logo has depicted a stylized version of the mythical warrior Finn McCool, [1] who is commonly portrayed as a giant in popular folklore and has a close association with Ulster. The original logo had Finn brandishing a hockey stick with the Giants' wordmark in the foreground. The inaugural Giants uniforms featured white home jerseys with red and teal striping, matching socks, and black shorts. The inaugural away jerseys featured their now famous teal [1] with red and white striping, matching socks, and black shorts.

For the 2001–02 season the Giants introduced red jerseys with teal and white striping for the BT Ice Cup, and black jerseys with teal and red striping for the Challenge Cup.

In 2002–03, the Giants altered their home jerseys to feature red shoulder piping with teal and black stripes.

For 2004–05 the Giants replaced the red shoulder piping with black piping on home jerseys and changed away jerseys to mirror these except with teal as the primary colour.

Ahead of the 2021–22 EIHL season, the Giants unveiled a refreshed primary logo and alteration to the club's home, away and Challenge Cup jerseys. [16]

Arena

One corner of the SSE Arena has been dubbed 'Boomerang Corner' – named in memory of long time Giants fan, Stewart Boone – and was left unreserved for a large group of fans who generate noise, bang drums, and start game night chants until the 2022–23 season when these seats became bookable.

Originally there was a traditional four-sided scoreboard suspended over centre ice. This has recently been replaced by two large screens for scores and video replays; one behind Boomerang Corner and one at the opposite corner of the rink. Two traditional scoreboards are located in the two remaining corners.

Team culture

Sectarianism has long been a significant problem with sports in Northern Ireland. When the club was established, Giants' management was committed to ensure the club did not attach itself to any particular faith or community, instead aspiring to represent Belfast as a whole. A number of policies were introduced to achieve this. [1] Football colours, clothing, and flags which may have displayed a person's political or religious affiliation were banned from the arena. The national anthem of the United Kingdom, traditionally played before games at other arenas in the Elite League, is not played before Giants games. The colours of the team, notably the dominant 'teal' used in both its logo and uniform, was chosen specifically because it had no national or political connotations in Northern Ireland.

These policies have been successful as the Giants have built a large and enthusiastic fanbase which has become known as the 'Teal Army'. As of 16 March 2020, the Giants had averaged an attendance of 4,387, ranking them 3rd amongst UK teams and 80th in Europe.

The Giants have an official podcast, "A View From the Bridge", hosted by fans Patrick Smyth, Davy McGimpsey, Simon Kitchen, and Gareth Martin. There is also an official supporters club known as the Giants OSC.

Team songs

For many years, the Giants have been introduced onto the ice with the song "Rise" by English rock band The Cult. In recent years, "A Warrior's Call" by Danish band Volbeat has also been used as the team's entrance theme. Their goal song begins with The Irish Rovers' version of "The Belle of Belfast City", a popular local rendition of the old children's folk song "I'll Tell Me Ma". This is mixed into "Song 2" by English Britpop group Blur before face-off.

Current squad

Squad for 2024-25 Elite League season [17] [18]

Netminders
No.Nat.PlayerCatchesAcquiredPlace of BirthJoined fromPress Release
1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jackson Whistle L2021 Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada Nottingham Panthers, EIHL
33 Flag of the United States.svg Tom McCollum L2024 Amherst, New York, US Eisbaren Regensburg, DEL2
35 Ulster Banner.svg Andrew DicksonL2011 Ballymoney, Northern Ireland Invicta Dynamos, ENL
Defencemen
No.Nat.PlayerShootsAcquiredPlace of BirthJoined fromPress Release
3 Flag of the United States.svg Bo HansonL2024 Boise, Idaho, US Aalborg Pirates, Metal Ligaen
6 Flag of the United States.svg Jeff Baum A L2021 Colleyville, Texas, US American International Yellow Jackets, NCAA
17 Flag of England.svg Rhodes Mitchell-King***L2024 Warwick, England Telford Tigers, NIHL
21 Ulster Banner.svg Kell Beattie*R2021 Belfast, Northern Ireland Solway Sharks, NIHL
22 Flag of the United States.svg Zak GalambosR2024 Walnut Creek, California, US Western Michigan Broncos, NCAA Division I
23 Flag of the United States.svg Mike LeeL2024 Hamden, Connecticut, US HC Nové Zámky, Slovak Extraliga
42 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Gabe BastR2024 Red Deer, Alberta, Canada Red Deer Rustlers, NCHL-AB
62 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Cameron PoundL2023 Solihull, England Saint Mary's Huskies, U Sports
71 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Karl BoudriasL2024 Chateauguay, Quebec, Canada HC Nové Zámky, Slovak Extraliga
77 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Josh RoachR2022 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Kenaston Blizzards, SVHL
Forwards
No.Nat.PlayerPositionAcquiredPlace of BirthJoined fromPress Release
8 Flag of the United States.svg Joe CassettiLW2024 Pleasanton, California, US Western Michigan Broncos, NCAA Division I
9 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ben Lake A LW/C2021 Calgary, Alberta, Canada Manchester Storm, EIHL
10 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Scott ConwayC2024 Basingstoke, England HK Dukla Trenčín, Slovak Extraliga
12 Flag of the United States.svg J.J. PiccinichRW2024 Paramus, New Jersey, US Stjernen Hockey, EHL
14 Ulster Banner.svg Carter Hamill**C/LW2024 Belfast, Northern Ireland Milton Keynes Lightning, NIHL
15 Flag of the United States.svg Robert CarpenterLW/C2024 North Reading, Massachusetts, US Florida Everblades, ECHL
20 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Pierre-Olivier MorinC2024 Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada Aalborg Pirates, Metal Ligaen
26 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mark Cooper C RW2021 Toronto, Ontario, Canada South Carolina Stingrays, ECHL
29 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jordan Kawaguchi C2024 Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada Idaho Steelheads, ECHL
46 Flag of England.svg Finley Howells***LW2024 Telford, England Telford Tigers, NIHL
64 Flag of the United States.svg David Goodwin C/LW2025 St Louis, Missouri, US No Team
79 Flag of the United States.svg Kyle OsterbergRW/LW2024 Lakeville, Minnesota, US Fife Flyers, EIHL
86 Ulster Banner.svg Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mack Stewart**RW/LW2021 Belfast, Northern Ireland Belfast SNL Giants, SNL
88 Flag of the United States.svg Grant MismashLW/C2024 Edina, Minnesota, US Stjernen Hockey, EHL
89 Flag of England.svg Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ciaran Long A LW2021 Birmingham, England Manchester Storm, EIHL
90 Flag of England.svg Mason Alderson*LW2023 London, England Solway Sharks, NIHL
91 Flag of the United States.svg Elijiah BarrigaLW2023 West Covina, California, US Dundee Stars, EIHL
On Loan
No.Nat.PlayerPositionAcquiredPlace of BirthPlaying ForPress Release
Team Staff
No.Nat.NamePositionPlace of BirthJoined fromPress Release
N/A Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Adam Keefe [1] Head coach Brampton, Ontario, CanadaAppointed in 2017
N/A Flag of the United States.svg Jeff Mason Associate coach Easthampton, Massachusetts, USA Dundee Stars, EIHL
N/A Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rob StewartAssistant coach Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada Romford Raiders, EPIHL
N/A Flag of the United States.svg Flag of the United Kingdom.svg George Awada Assistant coach St. Paul, Minnesota, USAppointed in 2022
N/A Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Steve Thornton [1] GM/Director of Hockey Operations Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Basingstoke Bison, EIHL
N/A Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason 'Taff' ElleryEquipment Manager Cardiff, Wales London Knights, BISL
N/A Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Barbara ReynoldsMassage Therapist Northern Ireland Appointed in 2016
Recent departures
No.PlayerPositionAcquiredLeaving ForPress Release
2 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jacob FriendD2023 Pioneers Voralberg, IceHL
3 Flag of the United States.svg Charlie CurtiD2023 Guildford Flames, EIHL
7 Flag of Scotland.svg Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Garside A D/F2010Retired
13 Flag of England.svg Flag of the United Kingdom.svg David Phillips D2023 Hull Seahawks, NIHL
14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Sean NorrisF2022 Guildford Flames, EIHL
15 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Flag of the United States.svg Miles GendronD2023 Greenville Swamp Rabbits, ECHL
17 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Oliver CooperC2023 Pioneers Voralberg, IceHL
22 Flag of the United States.svg Ara NazarianC/LW2023 Syracuse Crunch, AHL
23 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Flag of Italy.svg Daniel TedescoLW2023 Guildford Flames, EIHL
29 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Bobby MacIntyreLW2023TBC
34 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Tyler Beskorowany G2023Retired
48 Flag of the United States.svg Greg PrintzLW/RW2023TBC
55 Flag of the United States.svg Will CullenD2024TBC
70 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Matt McLeodC/RW2023 EK Zeller Eisbären, AlpsHL
81 Flag of Japan.svg Kohei SatoLW2023 Orlando Solar Bears, ECHL
84 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Travis BrownD2023 Guildford Flames, EIHL
91 Flag of Sweden.svg Henrik ErikssonC/LW2023TBC
94 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Blake Speers C/RW2024TBC

Former Giants

Retired jersey numbers

Notable former players

Captains

NameTenure
Jeff Hoad 2000–02
Paul Kruse 2002–03
Jason Ruff 2003–04
Shane Johnson 2004–05
George Awada 2005–09
Colin Shields 2009–11
Jeremy Rebek 2011–12
Adam Keefe 2012–17
Blair Riley 2017–19
Matt Pelech 2019–20
David Goodwin 2021–23
Mark Cooper2023–

Head coaches

No.NameTenure
1David Whistle2000–03
2Rob Stewart2003–04
3 Tony Hand 2004–05
4 Ed Courtenay 2005–08
5 Steve Thornton 2008–10
6Doug Christiansen2010–13
7 Paul Adey 2013–14
8 Steve Thornton 2014–15
9 Derrick Walser 2015–17
10 Adam Keefe [1] 2017– present

Franchise scoring leaders

These are the Top 10 Points Scoring Leaders for the Belfast Giants:

Note: GP = Games Played, G = Goals, A = Assists, Pts = Points

PlayerPOSGPGAPts
Colin Shields C/RW370159297456
George Awada RW376149187336
Craig PeacockRW341140159299
Evan Cheverie LW23991183274
Jason Ruff LW193100145245
Todd Kelman D41873141214
Shane Johnson D49154145199
Rob SandrockD22449141190
Ed Courtenay RW12458129187
Curtis Bowen LW21984103187

Honours

2000–01

2001–02

2002–03

2003–04

2004–05

2005–06

2008–09

2009–10

2010–11

2011–12

2012–13

2013–14

2015–16

2016–17

2017–18

2018–19

2021–22

2022–23

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Drennan, Jonathan (9 April 2022). "Belfast Giants: the ice hockey team that captivated and changed a city". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  2. ↑ "Latest Belfast Giants News".
  3. ↑ "Our Partners & Sponsors". Belfast Giants. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  4. ↑ "About | History". Belfast Giants. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  5. ↑ "The Odyssey Trust | Premier Entertainment Venue". The Odyssey Trust. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  6. ↑ "Belfast and Cardiff's NHL 20 ratings » Chasing The Puck". Chasing The Puck. 11 September 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  7. ↑ "EIHL cancels all matches for rest of season". EIHL. 21 August 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  8. ↑ "EIHL Board Suspend 2020-21 Season". EIHL. 21 August 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  9. ↑ "No Elite League Season 2020/21". EIHL. 21 August 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  10. ↑ "Latest Belfast Giants News".
  11. ↑ "Giants win league title with shootout victory!". 21 August 2019.
  12. ↑ "Belfast Giants 3:6 Cardiff Devils".
  13. ↑ "Latest Belfast Giants News". Belfast Giants. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  14. ↑ "Latest Belfast Giants News". Belfast Giants. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  15. ↑ "Giants win 2023 Viaplay Playoffs!". Elite League. 21 August 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  16. ↑ "Giants Reborn | Belfast Giants".
  17. ↑ "Belfast Giants at". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  18. ↑ "Keefe names Captains for 22/23". www.belfastgiants.com. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
Preceded by Superleague Champions
2001–02		Succeeded by
Preceded by Playoff Champions
2002–03		Succeeded by
Preceded by Elite League Champions
2005–06		Succeeded by
Preceded by Challenge Cup Winners
2008–09		Succeeded by
Preceded by Knockout Cup Winners
2008–09		Succeeded by
Last Winners
Preceded by Playoff Champions
2009–10		Succeeded by
Preceded by Elite League Champions
2011–12		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Inaugural winners
 Erhardt Conference Winners
2012–13, 2013–14		Succeeded by
Preceded by Elite League Champions
2013–14		Succeeded by
Preceded by Challenge Cup Winners
2017–18, 2018–18		Succeeded by
Preceded by Elite League Champions
2018–19, 2021–22, 2022–23		Succeeded by
Preceded by Erhardt Conference Winners
2018–19		Succeeded by
Last Winners
Preceded by Challenge Cup Winners
2021–22, 2022–23		Succeeded by
Preceded by Playoff Champions
2022–23		Succeeded by
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