This is George Awada's third season as a Giant and his second outing as Captain. Last season he led the Giants to their first Elite league title, and was high on Coach Ed Courtenay's wish list when assembling this year's roster. Courtenay said, 'I am delighted Awada has decided to return to Belfast for a third season with the Coors Giants. He is an outstanding player who creates and seizes goal scoring opportunities. Last season he scored 25 goals and gained 35 assists, in 51 games. Aside from his points scoring, Awada would be a great asset to any team, he has a tremendous work ethic which was shown last season when he played many "must win" games while nursing a badly injured hand. He is a born leader who has much respect both on the ice and in the locker room.'

After a successful College career at St Cloud State University, George played a season with the Albany River Rats, the top affiliate for the New Jersey Devils. He then spent three seasons in the East Coast Hockey League, averaging over 23 goals and 50 points a year with three different clubs before moving to Europe and the Elite League. In his inaugural season in the UK, he captained the Manchester Phoenix to the play-off finals in Nottingham. After 23 goals and impressing many with his silky skills and never say die attitude, George was chased by many of the Elite League top teams but it was the Giants that managed to win his signature after the news of Manchester's withdrawal from the professional league was announced.