A British Revolution!

Only a fortnight or so into the ninth (hard to believe it's that long already!) off season in Belfast Giants history and for a change things seem to be moving along rather quickly and indeed rather impressively.

In previous off seasons in Belfast we have had to worry about various things. Have we a coach in place? When are we going to sign someone? Everyone else has half a roster! And even more worryingly, will we have a team to support?

As reported by Leafy last week, GM Todd Kelman has worked swiftly in appointing a new coach in Steve Thornton, a move which has pleased many.

Both Steve and Todd have been busy since then and so far we have announced the capture of 2 players. Both the players signed so far are of high calibre, and both are current Team GB & NI internationals.

The first player to be announced by Steve Thornton was 20 year old up and coming defenseman Dave Phillips. Phillips is a product of the Hull system having played there for 5 seasons as the Stingrays moved around the leagues. Starting his career as a 16 year old Phillips appeared in 2 BNL seasons, 1 EPL season and now 2 EIHL seasons. Last season on the struggling Stingrays team he managed 5 goals and 13 assists allied with 85 PIMs in 62 games, signs of the potesntial this young defenceman has and we look forward to seeing him in the teal, red and white of Belfast.

The second signing announced by Thornton was a different story. Already well known to Giants fans after a previous spell in the Odyssey in which he helped the team earn their only Elite League title so far, Colin Shields has signed a 2 year deal to play back in Belfast.

The year after leaving that championship winning side saw Colin return to the USA where he split 57 games between Idaho and Fresno putting the puck in the net a credible 16 times to go with 27 assists for 43 points. Despite these numbers Shields was tempted once more across the Atlantic last season when he signed up for the Newcastle Vipers.

Once in Newcastle, despite a bit of a slow start, Shields had his most productive year since his junior days, despite missing a few games with a minor injury. 36 goals were added to 35 assists for 71 points in just 55 games, perhaps showing that all the moving around of previous seasons had hindered his production as for the first time Shields played every game of a season for the same organisation.

Thornton has managed to get Shields to agree to a 2 year deal to stay in Belfast, something which is beneficial to both the player himself and hopefully the organisation.

It is interesting to note the first 2 signings have been completed so early and also that they are both British qualified players. Thornton has stated nobody is safe if he can improve upon what has gone before and perhaps Graeme Walton and Leigh Jamieson will now be sweating about their place on the roster. Phillips, Walton, Jamieson and indeed last season's Giants goalie Stevie Lyle are all in Austria on GB duty and have been watched by Thornton. It will be interesting to see how the future in this area pans out!

This move is also a change of tac from the Giants management, the British contingent of Belfast being seen by many over the years as a reason for perhaps the lack of a challenge for the title.

So a good early start to the off season so far, and let's hope the coach and GM can continue the positive work that has so far got the fans thinking positive and looking forward not just to the new season, but the events that will precede the beginning of 2008/9.

Aaron Kernohan

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