Kingdom Of The Giants :: Belfast Giants Fan Community, News & Views
Is it really only June?
06-Jun-2007In any given off season the UK Ice Hockey fanbase normally spend most of the summer debating the potential make up of their team well into late August and even September - yet this year something strange is afoot!
All teams appear active in the transfer market, with some appearing to have almost completed their rosters at such an early stage.
Having signed up Player/Coach Ed Courtenay in May, the Coors Belfast Giants have experienced a surprisingly active early off season compared to previous years.
The past few weeks have seen the re-signing of Captain George Awada, Forwards Mark Dutiaume and Mark Morrison and Defensemen Graeme Walton and Roman Gavalier.
New blood has been found as well with former Nottingham Panther, Paul Moran moving across to Belfast whilst Marc Levers moves the opposite way and back to his previous Club.
Fans will need little introduction to the re-signed players of course. KotG 2007 Player of the Year, Roman Gavalier is back to no doubt give yet another year of no nonsense efficient service on the blueline. George Awada returns and is likely to bring his gritty style back for a fourth straight season. "Dutes" will no doubt look to build on his first season in which he displayed the ability to produce some magical hockey. However the signings which have perhaps produced the most fan delight are those of local lads Mark Morrison and Graeme Walton. Both have spent the off season in International action - Mark has starred with the Irish National Side and Graeme took his bow as part of the GB team - both well deserved due to their outstanding development since their acquisition to professional Ice Hockey by Rob Stewart in 2003.
Rumours of Netminder Mike Minard's services having been dispensed with remain to be confirmed officially and fans will no doubt await the appointment of the Club's starting Netminder with keen interest.
One player definitely not lining up next year will of course be Todd Kelman. Todd hung up his skates at the end of last season to take up his new post as General Manager and in doing so left a huge space not only on the ice but no doubt in the Locker Room.
Kelman's off ice presence has already been witnessed with the Club's new website going live a short while back to replace the previous long-standing effort...
How strange to find KotG's Forum bursting with Hockey Happenings in June...whatever next?
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League Standings
| P | TEAM | GP | W(OT) | L(OT) | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giants | 54 | 46(0) | 5(3) | 95 |
| 2 | Steelers | 54 | 41(0) | 11(2) | 84 |
| 3 | Panthers | 54 | 38(0) | 12(4) | 80 |
| 4 | Devils | 54 | 32(0) | 12(10) | 74 |
| 5 | Blaze | 54 | 32(0) | 20(2) | 66 |
| 6 | Clan | 54 | 31(0) | 19(4) | 66 |
| 7 | Stingrays | 54 | 16(0) | 34(4) | 36 |
| 8 | Stars | 54 | 13(0) | 35(6) | 32 |
| 9 | Capitals | 54 | 13(0) | 37(4) | 30 |
| 10 | Flyers | 54 | 8(0) | 40(6) | 22 |
Giants' Stat Leaders
| Points | Robert Dowd | 78 |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | Robert Dowd | 40 |
| Assists | Craig Peacock | 49 |
| PIM | Adam Keefe | 247 |