Belfast Giants Confirm Signing of Former NHL Forward Carsen Twarynski

From Calgary, Twarynski arrives in Belfast from HC Dynamo Pardubice having joined the Extraliga side at the start of the 2025/26 season. Drafted 82^nd overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in round three of the 2016 NHL entry draft, Twarynski’s senior career began in the Western Hockey League (WHL), where he iced for the Calgary Hitmen and Kelowna Rockets, before spending time with the Leigh Valley Phantoms, Charlotte Checkers, and Coachella Valley Firebirds of the AHL. Twarynski made his NHL debut in October 2019 as part of the NHL Global Series in Prague, Czech Republic.

Adam Keefe, Head Coach of the Belfast Giants, said: “Carsen’s addition adds much-needed scoring depth and size to our forward group. He has been playing at a very high level and is excited to help us win.”

Ahead of the 2023/24 season, Twarynski signed his first contract abroad, agreeing to join the Vienna Capitals of the Austrian ICE Hockey League. Having notched 13 points (six goals and seven assists) in 23 games in the Austrian capital, Twarynski returned to the AHL, registering a total of 65 regular season appearances for the Bridgeport Islanders, Abbotsford Canucks, and San Diego Gulls.

Commenting on joining the Belfast Giants, Carsen Twarynski said: “I’m very excited to be joining the Belfast Giants. The winning culture and high standards that have been built here in Belfast really stood out to me. I’m a competitive player who wants to win championships, and I believe this organisation has everything in place to achieve that goal. I can’t wait to suit up for the Giants and play in front of the passionate Belfast fans.”

The Giants return to Elite League action on Sunday 21 December, taking on the Dundee Stars at The SSE Arena, Belfast. Tickets are on sale now and available to purchase here.

Image Credit - Philadelphia Flyers.