Belfast Giants

Belfast Giants 2025-26 Season Preview

Champions Reloaded: Giants Set Their Sights on More Glory

After lifting both the Elite League and Challenge Cup last season, the Belfast Giants enter 2025–26 with their legacy intact  and their hunger undiminished. With banners ready to be raised and a powerful core returning to the SSE Arena, the Giants aren’t just defending titles — they’re coming back to dominate.

Adam Keefe returns for his ninth year behind the bench, continuing one of the most successful coaching reigns in EIHL history. Four league titles. Five Challenge Cups. A Grand Slam. And a team culture built on identity, resilience, and winning hockey.

Last year’s playoff stumble won’t sit well in Belfast, expect this group to come out sharp, motivated, and gunning for a treble redemption.

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Roster and New Signings Overview: Core Retained, Upgrades Added

With much of last year’s double-winning spine returning, the Giants have focused on smart additions that enhance depth, add experience, and push the pace. There’s balance across all three zones and a few eye-catching names among the new faces. More signings are expected up front — but already, Belfast look like a team built to contend on every front.

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Netminders

A settled tandem, bolstered by a big addition, gives Belfast confidence in the crease from night one. Whistle–Gravel is a tandem with serious upside.

Departed

• Tom McCollum – Moves to the AlpsHL with Kitzbuheler after a solid season in teal.

Returning

• Jackson Whistle – One of the EIHL’s best. Calm, composed, and reliable. A proven British netminder who brings leadership and poise.
• Andrew Dickson – A locker-room leader and dependable backup who always answers the call.

New Arrival

• Alexis Gravel – 6’4” Canadian goalie with DEL experience. Agile and composed, he brings legitimate starter potential and will challenge for minutes right away

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Defence

Stable and skilled, the Giants’ blue line keeps its identity: hard to break down, quick in transition, and dangerous on the attack. The incoming talent boosts mobility and offensive punch.

Departed:

• Jeff Baum – 4 year stalwart and perennial winner with the Giants departs.
• Zak Galambos – Unsigned so far, but injuries hampered his first year pro only playing in 33 games last year.

Returning:

• Mike Lee – The heartbeat of the defence. Elite hockey IQ, big-minute reliability, and offensive flair.
• Gabe Bast – Quietly efficient, plays a mature game with excellent puck control.
• Bo Hanson – Brings physicality and edge. Loves the tough areas.
• Josh Roach – Trusted in all situations. Versatile, smart, and a key locker-room presence.
• Karl Boudrias – Recognized for his skating ability, competitiveness, and versatility, capable of playing both defense and forward positions.

New Signings:

• Garrett McFadden – Dynamic and creative, will likely run the power play. A standout signing with AHL pedigree.
• Sam Jones – Adds Brit depth and toughness. GB blueliner with lots of EIHL experience.
• Will Irwin – Rookie full of energy. Has the tools to become a fan favourite.

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Forwards

Losing a few key names hasn’t dented the Giants’ firepower. The core is still electric — Conway, Kawaguchi, Piccinich — while the new names bring size, flair, and fresh scoring threat. Expect more signings, but the foundations are strong.

Departed:

• Elijiah Barriga, Grant Mismash – Secondary scoring losses to Coventry.
• Bobo Carpenter, PO Morin, Joe Cassetti – Depart for Europe and North America.
• Mark Cooper – Retired after a well-respected and decorated career.

Returning:

• Scott Conway – The league’s Dream Team forward and one of Europe’s elite scorers. A game-breaker every night.
• David Goodwin – Versatile, consistent, and smart. A leader on and off the ice.
• J.J. Piccinich – Creative and clutch. Plays with vision and tempo.
• Ben Lake – Brings edge, experience, and timely goals.
• Jordan Kawaguchi – Crafty Canadian with slick hands and playmaking touch.
• Ciaran Long – Speedster with a nose for transition chances.

New Signings:

• Brandon Whistle – Strengthens Belfast Britpack after joining from Sheffield, top 9 versatility, and joins older brother Jackson.
• Marcus Eriksson – The Allsvenskan’s all-time leading scorer. Veteran presence, deadly if given time and space.
• Patrick Grasso – From Austria’s ICEHL to Västervik in Sweden, now to Belfast. Creative and unpredictable.
• Ryan Smith – Pure goalscorer. Adds punch to the top six.
• Jake Gaudet – Tenacious, physical, and relentless. Expect him to energise the bottom six.
• Nicolas Guay – A dynamic and charismatic forward, Guay brings a blend of skill, leadership, and offensive flair to the ice. Known for his vision and work ethic.

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One to Watch: Marcus Eriksson

At 39, he’s not one for high-speed sprints — but his brain might be the sharpest in the league. The Swedish Allsvenskan’s all-time points leader brings elite hockey sense and a calmness under pressure. He could be the EIHL’s most interesting X-factor this year.

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Final Verdict & EIHL Dream Team League Prediction:

The Giants haven’t lost their edge, they’ve sharpened it. With Keefe leading a room packed with winners, and a roster designed to handle the rigours of a full campaign, Belfast are once again built for banners. Domestic dominance is within reach, and in Europe, they’ll be no pushovers.

Prediction: 2nd – Title challengers once again.

Expect a deep Challenge Cup run, a serious playoff push, and maybe even a taste of treble redemption.