Patrick Smyth of UK Hockey Live previews the 2009/10 season for the Giants
The Belfast Giants enter into their 10th season on the back of one of the most successful domestic hauls in their history. The Knock Out Cup and Challenge Cup victories over the Manchester Phoenix provided the Giants their first real silverware since the EIHL League title in 2005-6 and gave Player/Coach Steve Thornton a great rookie season.
Last season Thornton opened his roster account with the signing of Dave Philips from Hull, seeing the potential in the young Englishman and accentuating the need to pick up British talent early and as a premium. This season he’s done the same thing. Craig Peacock, one of the EPL’s brightest young British stars made the jump from EPL to Elite and became Thornton’s first signing of the season.
It has been a complicated off-season for the Giants, what looked to be a very strong defensive unit containing new top quality imports Tom Walsh (not the guy off Ground Force) and Tim Cook, as well returning favourites Shane Johnson, Graeme Walton and Dave Phillips, was slightly shook up by Phillips departure to North America following a fantastic opportunity with the Rockford IceHogs. Philips was replaced by.. well.. Philips, brother Kevin leaving Slough to replace his younger sibling. So to sure up the D in-front of new Giants netminder, young Brit, Stephen Murphy, Thornton has brought in Canadian Michael Jacobson from Alleghe in Italy. Thus completing what I think is a strong 6 Man D (something that is maybe unusual for the Giants in recent times).
Up front we are, in my opinion, stacked. The most exciting prospect being Pierre-Luc Faubert, a high scoring French Canadian of good stock who, who hopefully will be there or there abouts in the scoring charts come late March.
As well as the aforementioned Peacock, other new faces include Pat Bateman (no.. not this one) and Brandon Benedict. They’ll line up alongside Colin Shields, returning for his 3rd season with the Giants, Thornton and Mark Morrison.
And then there is “The New Sheriff In Town”, Sean McMorrow, a heavyweight enforcer signed from Rockford early in the off season. Following in the footsteps of Jason Rushton, signed “to prevent further injuries” to a Giants side hampered with knocks to many forwards, McMorrow comes in to provide equal “piece of mind”. With a little over 30 points in almost 500 games and penalty minutes in the thousands, it’s made me wonder, is this player a luxury or a necessity?
The forthcoming season has seen the departure from the league of Clouthier, Stefishen, Payette, Ndur and Lewis. The only other “heavyweight” in the league is now Voth, a player not easily drawn into a 5 minute penalty. So what will McMorrow provide? If he becomes a one man wrecking ball, hitting small forwards into next week and making them think twice with no one on the opposition bench to combat him (granted this also relies on sensible refereeing), brilliant. If he becomes a Payette-esque pantomime character, chasing big players down for a fight-a-night, then in my opinion he’ll not last the season. The jury is out.
At time of writing this the other two forwards we’re potentially to announce are the return of Evan Cheverie and Captain George Awada, but they are yet to be confirmed. The more astute among you will note that these signings would make 11 imports. Rumours are abound surrounding Steve Thornton’s intention to actually play this term following a series of persistent hand problems over the last few seasons. Should Thronton not play, it will be a serious dent in the forward lines, losing probably one of the top playmakers in the league.
All in all I think the Giants have the potential to hold a tight back line and score a lot of goals. Up until the signing of Jacobson I wasn’t sure, but now given the strength at the back I’m beginning to believe we have a side worthy to challenge for the top spot. Some variables lie in the Thornton issue, as well as the volatility of McMorrow and the role he takes, but should this work out for the better, there may not be many teams that can break us down.
Looking around the league, Cardiff are my surprise package. The return of Smith is a huge one. He will provide an inordinate amount of creativity and firepower to that side. G. Adams (1 of 2) has done well not only to keep Voth, one of the leagues best assets in my opinion, but to strengthen the side with players like the returning Kazakh, Birbraer. The only piece of doubt lies in Lyle. Trust me, I’m a Giants fan.
Newcastle are a changed side, the combination of Tejchma and Berry will be very interesting, they’ve basically picked up two players straight from a line in the ECHL, who are already familiar with each others game. Maitc Kralj is a player Paul Thompson was sorry not to get for Coventry, while Kindle and Mahrle at the back will be looking to play tight around Robinson but have the agility to push forward. They’ll be another improved side.
Nottingham look good on paper, but don’t they always. I’m not convinced by their netminder, and in my opinion the acquisition of Cameron Mann is a smokescreen signing in what I think will be a side finishing 4th or 5th.
Looking around at the others, Hull despite their change in fundin..erm.. roster and coach, may put up a fight, but can’t see they or Edinburgh being any great challenge. Sheffield will be there or there abouts as always, while Coventry have probably the best netminder in the league, but an untested side overall,though you can never write off a Thommo side.
This season should be very interesting.
My predictions for the title: Cardiff or Belfast
1. Cardiff
2. Belfast
3. Coventry
4. Newcastle
5. Nottingham
6. Sheffield (I dont think “Sarich the power forward” is going to work at all)
7. Hull
8. Edinburgh
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