Beattie on Board for Giant New Season

A product of the Junior Belfast Giants, Beattie will re-join the Solway Sharks ahead of the 2023/24 season, having already iced 46 times for the Dumfries-based NIHL side between 2021 and 2023. 19-year-old Beattie first joined the Sharks during the 2021/22 campaign, before returning to Belfast for the conclusion of the season – making his Giants debut in a Challenge Cup double-header against the Fife Flyers.

When asked about re-signing for 2023/24, Kell Beattie said: “I couldn’t be happier to have agreed a new deal with both the Belfast Giants and Solway Sharks. I feel like last season was such a good learning experience for me, and I’ve definitely grown in confidence and knowledge. I’m really looking forward to hitting the ice for a brand-new season and building upon key learnings from the 2022/23 campaign.”

Beattie featured during the Giants’ treble-winning 2022/23 season, playing a total of 14 games across both the Elite League and Challenge Cup. The up-and-coming defenceman was also named in the Belfast Giants All Stars roster that took on Ukrainian National Championship side Dnipro Kherson in a charity game at The SSE Arena, Belfast in April 2023.

Adam Keefe, head coach of the Belfast Giants, said: “We’re very happy to bring Kell back for another season on a two-way deal with the Solway Sharks. Kell’s development over the last season while training and icing with the Giants and getting valuable ice time in Solway has been great. Kell has been a vital part of both teams, helping us both win a lot of silverware. With Solway’s promotion to the NIHL, Kell will now be living and training full-time in Solway but will be available to us when we have a spot in the lineup. This season should be another big step in his development.”

Tickets for the Belfast Giants’ pre-season, Champions Hockey League, and Elite Ice Hockey League home games at The SSE Arena, Belfast are on sale now. Tickets are available to purchase here.