Lewis Hook Moves on to New Opportunity

In three seasons with the Stena Line Belfast Giants, Hook made over 200 appearances and contributed 83 points as a key figure in the team’s British core.

After winning the EIHL’s Streaming Series with the Nottingham Panthers during the COVID-19 shutdown, Hook returned to Belfast for his third season in teal. He enjoyed a breakout campaign, dwarfing his previous EIHL single-season points tallies with 19 goals and 18 assists in 66 games, playing alongside Tyler Soy and Jordan Boucher on a speed-driven third line.

During his time in teal, he has added two EIHL League and two Challenge Cup medals to his collection, whilst also breaking through to the senior Team GB set up with appearances in two World Championships to date.

The Peterborough native rose through the ranks of his hometown Phantoms from an early age, making the first team as he turned 18 in 2012/13.

A move to the Milton Keynes Lightning in 2014 would prove to be Hook’s launch pad. The forward was a prolific points scorer across three seasons in the EPIHL under future Team GB Head Coach Pete Russell, earning himself a call from the Nottingham Panthers to bolster their Champions Hockey League roster in October of that year.

The Lightning’s switch to the EIHL in 2017/18 opened the door for Adam Keefe to bring the then-22-year-old to The SSE Arena.

He netted his senior debut international goal for Team GB this summer at the IIHF World Championships, in a narrow 4-3 defeat to Latvia.

Commenting on the news, head coach Adam Keefe said: “We would like to thank Lewis for playing a key role in our success over the last three seasons. Whilst we are always sorry to see players move on, he is going on to an exciting new opportunity and we wish him well.”

Lewis Hook said: “Belfast has been a huge part of my life and career for the last three seasons. The decision to move on was not an easy one but I am excited to be taking an exciting step into a new opportunity in a new League that will broaden my experience and help me to continue to grow in my hockey career. I would like to thank the fans and everyone inside and outside the organisation that has been such a support to me during my time with the Giants. I will most definitely keep the door open on a return to Belfast in the future – it has been like a second home to me.”

Further signing announcements are expected in the coming weeks as off-season recruitment wraps up. The first chance to see the new Belfast Giants team in action will be at the Giants’ pre-season home games at The SSE Arena, Belfast on Saturday 20 August (Cardiff Devils) and Saturday 27 August (Dundee Stars). Tickets for the 2022/2023 Premier Sports Elite League and Challenge Cup home games at The SSE Arena, Belfast are also now on sale via Ticketmaster.