According to Todd Kelman, whatever Doug normally does is working out just fine. “Doug is a great coach and one of his biggest strengths is his recruiting. He spends hours looking into each player we bring to Belfast and if he is in Belfast all summer, he would be up all night talking to people. It works better for coaches recruiting North Americans when they are over there themselves.

“I also know Doug usually attends coaching conferences throughout the off-season to network with other coaches and to improve his own coaching skills.”

When asked when we can expect to have some more signing news out of the Giants, Kelman was quick to respond. “Doug takes his time when he builds his team, and we have specific needs at each position and a handful of potential players to fit into each spot. He won’t rush into signing a guy early just to have another player to announce.

“I know he likes to see what other teams are looking like so he knows what he needs to beat them. It worked last year and hopefully he can build another team that will be contending for all 3 trophies up for grabs in 2012/13.” Only time will tell, but in the meantime, Giants fans, much like Christiansen, will have to be patient to get the right men for the job.

The Scottish-born superstar, who led the league with a 92.6% save percentage, was picked as the League’s Best Netminder and was also named to the Elite League’s First All-Star Team. He also voted Top British Netminder by the UK Ice Hockey Journalists for the third year in a row.

Murphy’s goals against average of 1.79 was the lowest in the Elite League and the stingiest ever by a Giants netminder. He led the league in all goaltending categories including shutouts with 7 blank sheets throughout the season.

“Without a doubt, Murph is the most valuable player in the league,” said General Manager Todd Kelman, “I am very pleased to have him back for another season.”

“We have a very strong core of non-import players, which have been the key to our championships over the last few years. At the heart of that is Murphy who we plan on building another championship contending team around.

“There isn’t a player in the league I would sign over Murphy and although it took a little longer to get him signed this year, we now know the type of players we need to sign to defend our title.”

“Getting Stephen back is a massive coup for us. Murphy is the best goalie in the league and was our best player last season.”

According to the numbers, Christiansen is correct. Murphy won more league games than any other netminder with 46 wins in 54 league games. Overall in 62 games, Murphy won 50 with 9 shutouts, 7 in league action. His goals against average in league action was a paltry 1.79 goals allowed per game, which was not only the lowest in the Elite League this season, but it was also the lowest of any Giants netminder in franchise history.

In his 3 seasons in Belfast, Murphy has led the Giants to 2 Championships; the Playoff Championship in 2010 and the Elite League Title this season, the first British Netminder to ever lead a team to the EIHL Championship. He has also been selected as the Giants Most Valuable Player all 3 seasons he has been in Belfast.
Christiansen continued: “Murph has ice water running through his veins. He is extremely composed and never gets upset. He is very focused on his job and maintains his own routine.

“I am excited to work with him again next season. I know he had offers to go to other countries but his return signals that he is committed to helping to defend our title.”

We have frozen our prices for yet another year of 27 games at the fabulous Odyssey Arena as your Giants defend the Elite League Championship!

Are you new to us? Great! We’re excited to have you along next season and securing a Giants Season Ticket couldn’t be more simple! All you have to do is Download & Print a 2012/13 Application Form and post it back to us! But before you do, make sure to choose your very own seat for the entire season. If you are not sure where you would like to sit, check out our seating chart.

Been with us before? Fantastic! We have the best fans in the league and your support during the 2011/12 season helped us to our second Elite League Championship and we can’t wait to get back on the ice to hear the Odyssey cheer as we go for back to back titles! We already have your details so all you have to do is pick up the phone, dial 028 9046 0044 and renew over the phone.

Buy your Season Ticket by 31st May and receive almost 25% off gameday prices!

Click here for more information on season ticket applications as well as flexible payment options…

He was one of only 5 players on the Giants to play in all 62 games last season, was a fixture on the Giants penalty kill which led the league in penalty kill percentage and short handed goals, and also hoisted his first trophy as a professional when the Giants won the Elite League Title on March 16th.

Garside signed a two year extension prior to his departure for the World Championships in April where he played for Team GB under GB Assistant Coach and Giants Head Coach Doug Christiansen.

Christiansen commented, “I have coached Garside for five years and I am thrilled to have him for 2 more. He is a very intelligent player who works hard every night. He did a great job last season and I expect more from him next year.

“There is no reason Mark cannot have a breakout season next year and be close to a point-a-game player. He is a team player and can contribute in many different ways. He played on my top penalty kill unit and was our face-off specialist. I know he will be a key player for us again next season.”

Garside was pleased to agree to terms with the Giants for another 2 years and spoke about why he wanted to return to the Giants.

“I originally came to Belfast to win Championships and that is why I want to be a Giant again next season. Doug builds teams that will be competing every season for titles and I know that we will be in the hunt again next season for all 3 trophies.

“I never really looked to go anywhere else, I am very happy in Belfast. The city is fantastic and the fans are amazing. This is a great place to play and I am glad to be back for another 2 years.”

In the 2010-11 season, Towe amassed 21 goals and 64 assists for 85 points in 58 games, finishing as the second highest British born scorer in the EPL behind the legendary Tony Hand. Towe, who is just 24 years old, has played for the Great Britain National Team twice. Last season, Towe missed 16 games with a broken hand but still amassed 41 points (10 goals and 31 assists) in 38 games.

Doug Christiansen commented on the acquisition of Matt Towe.

“Matt and I spoke the last two summers. He skates extremely well, which is something I look for. I want to play aggressively in all 3 zones and his speed helps us do that. He has developed his offensive game the last 2 seasons and I expect him to play a significant amount for us. He can play both center and wing but he will most likely start as a winger.

“I enjoy working with young players who are determined to develop. Towe has taken less money than he was offered elsewhere to have the opportunity to play for the Giants and prove himself on a championship contender. He wanted to get back into the Elite League and that sacrifice is a sign that he is hungry to be a great player and work hard everyday to help the team.”

Since then, Phillips has played two seasons in North America first in the American Hockey League mostly with the Rockford IceHogs, the top affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks as well as a season spent mostly in the East Coast Hockey League. Last season, Phillips split time between the Elite League’s Coventry Blaze and Sonderjskye in the top league in Denmark. In 51 games, Phillips notched 5 goals and 21 assists for 26 points.

Phillips is 6 foot 3 inches tall, weighs 210 lbs (15 stone) and is a solid defensive defenceman. Most recently, he was on the top defensive unit for the Great Britain National Team in Slovenia where Giants Head Coach Doug Christiansen was very impressed with his play.

“Davey has all the tools. He is big, skates well, has good hands and wants to get better. I am not looking for him to be our top offensive d-man but he will play significant minutes for the Giants next season. I expect him to play a smart simple game and be a big part of our defensive core.

“Last season he was under a lot of pressure to be the top d-man in Coventry. He will not have that same pressure in Belfast. I expect him to be big part of why we win, not the sole reason why we win. My goal is for him to be a better player next March than he is in September. I am excited to work with him and help develop him.”

The Giants originally brought Phillips to Belfast from the Hull Stingrays and General Manager Todd Kelman knows what he is capable of doing for the Giants next season.

“When Davey came to us in 2008, he was only 21 years old and very raw. Over the course of the season, I saw him go from our 5th defenceman in the depth chart to the top defenceman on the team. He was our best penalty killer, he scored some huge goals for us and played his way into being our go to guy on defence in every situation.

“I am extremely excited to get Davey back, he was a real fan favourite in Belfast when he was here the first time around and I know our supporters will be excited to have him back in a Giants jersey once again.”

Phillips will wear the number 13, the same number he wore when he won two titles with the Belfast Giants during the 2008/09 season.

Peacock tied for the team lead in points with 78 and led the team in assists with 49. His 29 goals were second on the team and a new career high after scoring 21 goals and 27 goals in his first two seasons in Belfast. Peacock was also a top 3 finalist for the British Player of the Year selected by the Elite League Coaches and General Managers this season.

Most recently, Peacock starred on the top line for Team GB at the World Championships in Slovenia where the trio of former Giants Robert Dowd, Colin Shields and Peacock finished 1, 2 and 3 in scoring for Great Britain. At just 23 years of age, the talented forward from Peterborough, England will look to continue the success he has enjoyed in his first three seasons as a Giant, which he expects to include the opportunity to win more championships.

“The reason I originally came to the Giants is because I knew there would always be an opportunity to play for championships. That is why we all play the game, to win championships and I would expect to be competing for titles again next season,” said Peacock.

“Personally, I want to build on the season I had and continue to improve. I really love playing in Belfast. I love the city, the people are great and they treat us all very well here. The Giants fans are fantastic and they have been very supportive of our team over the last two years, through the ups and downs. Hopefully we can give them plenty to cheer about again next season.”

Head Coach Doug Christiansen discussed the return of Peacock.
“Craig is one of the top players in the country. He finished tied for 11th in the league in scoring and he is still improving. His best hockey is still ahead of him and I am excited to work with him again.

“He was instrumental to our team’s success last year and played a huge role in bringing the Elite League Title to Belfast. I know he will play a big part in our continued success next season.”

Are you new to us? Great! We’re excited to have you along next season and securing a Giants Season Ticket couldn’t be more simple! All you have to do is Download & Print a 2012/13 Application Form and post it back to us! But before you do, make sure to choose your very own seat for the entire season. If you are not sure where you would like to sit, check out our seating chart.

Been with us before? Fantastic! We have the best fans in the league and your support during the 2011/12 season helped us to our second Elite League Championship and we can’t wait to get back on the ice to hear the Odyssey cheer as we go for back to back titles! We already have your details so all you have to do is pick up the phone, dial 028 9046 0044 and renew over the phone.

Buy your Season Ticket by 31st May and receive almost 25% off gameday prices!

Click here for more information on season ticket applications as well as flexible payment options…

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