Giants re-sign captain Adam Keefe

Stena Line Belfast Giants Captain Adam Keefe has signed a new deal that will see will return for the 2016/17 Elite League season - his sixth with the Giants organisation.

Keefe, who collected the Players’ Player Of The Year Award, Fans Favourite Award and the Community Service Award at the 2016 Giants Awards Night, joined the Giants in 2011 and since then the Canadian has become one of the most popular players in the history of the organisation.

In his five seasons to date with the Giants Keefe has won two Elite League Championships with the Giants, in 2012 as well as 2014, when he lifted the Monteith Bowl as Captain.

Keefe has played over 300 games for the Giants, scoring 56 goals and adding 74 assists – good for 130 total points in his Belfast career.

Steve Thornton, Head of Hockey Operations, spoke of the importance of the Captain’s return:

“Adam Keefe plays to win every game night and he is the fans favourite for a reason. Most importantly for me and for the fans, he wants to win more titles in Belfast.”

“Adam embodies the true meaning of the Giants with his work with charities, schools and youth groups throughout Northern Ireland.”

“Every team in our league would love to have a player like Adam Keefe and I am very pleased to have him back for the 2016/17 season.”

Adam Keefe, on his new deal with the Giants organisation:

“After my first season here, winning a league championship along with my experience of the fans and the city, I have been hungry to continue to bring trophies back to the city.”

“The passion that the fans bring to our games makes me and the team want to continue to play hard for them and that has been the driving force for me to come back.”

“My number one goal is to bring as many trophies back to Belfast and we need to get on the right track starting early next season so we can to get off to a good start and get the ball rolling.”

• Local