Posted on Thursday, September 23rd, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Seven days from today, the Boston Bruins will land in Belfast and this little idea I had a few months ago will become a reality. I was speaking with the NHL people last night and they are genuinely excited about bringing a game to Belfast for the first time. I doubt that most of them knew we had ice hockey six months ago but on the 2nd of October, it is our chance to show everyone that Belfast is a great city and a place that can host major events like this one.
The questions about if the Bruins squad are bringing all the big name players have been answered, believe me they are – I have seen the rooming list for the hotel and they are right down to the team that will start the season the next week against the Phoenix Coyotes.
All the players that we have spoken to throughout the Elite League are excited to be playing in this game as well, but I figured that much. Some of these players have NHL experience and still, they are excited about facing off against the Bruins. The fans from around the Elite League are looking forward to a great weekend in Belfast, whether it is their first trip over or if this is an annual event, we must be doing something right, because ice hockey fans love coming to Northern Ireland.
We are also expecting at least a couple hundred travelling fans from the USA and for most of them it will be their first trip to Northern Ireland, so when you hear that American accent, you will know that it’s time to show them the legendary craic that Belfast is famous for.
I always am so proud after we host a great weekend of ice hockey, not just for the games, but proud of our fans because I always have a long list of emails to read through from travelling supporters thanking me and our fans for a fabulous time. I don’t know if this is a common occurrence in other cities, but I would hope it is. I am sure all of us that have ever been to a weekend away in Edinburgh or Nottingham or Sheffield all have memories to talk about for years to come.
So in advance of the Boston Bruins arriving next week, in advance of the fans from across the UK and Ireland and even the USA landing here in Belfast, I want to thank all of our Giants fans. You make the games fun for other fans, you give them the memories to last a lifetime, you show them the sights, the bars, the restaurants, the places where their stories will start. You make my job easy.
Collectively, this weekend is for all of you and for all the ice hockey fans throughout the UK and Ireland. I hope at some point on Saturday October 2nd, you all step back and think, “Wow, the BOSTON BRUINS are playing in the Odyssey Arena!”
AND THEN REMEMBER at this stage ten years ago, we still were playing on the road, we still had no Arena to play in, no season ticket holders, no jerseys to wear, no championship banners- not even a win under our belt. A decade later and look how far we have come together. Be proud of yourselves and how your support of this team and this game has given us all plenty to cheer about over the years. And then Monday morning, after you wake up in a haze of Bruins related celebrating with your new American buddies and your friends from across the Elite League, turn on your computer and drop me an email that just says “Pinch Yourself” just in case I forget.
See you on October 2nd…
Todd Kelman
General Manager
© 2008 Belfast Giants Limited, unless otherwise stated. Imagery © Michael Cooper Photography.
