In the next nine Editor's columns, I'm going to look back on what the season just ended was for the other teams. A bit of a review of the season just gone but non-Steeler related. We're gonna kick it off this week with a look back on the 2016-17 season for the Belfast Giants.
Season in summary: Even though the Giants didn't win anything, it was a better season than the 2015-16 season for the Teal Army. If it wasn't for those Devils, Giants could have easily ended up with some kind of silverware in the Odyssey boardroom. Even though the roster was pretty much the same as it has been over the last few years with veterans such as Shields, Garside and Murphy still icing, the Giants really looked like they were starting to buy into Derrick Walser. However, I think losing Jackson Whistle to injury played a crucial part into why they didn't win anything as when he played - the son of Dave - looked a future starting netminder for years to come for club and GB.
Performance of the Season: It has the double road win in late January where Giants literally killed off the Steelers title challenge with a 5-2 triumph (they led 5-0 at one stage) on the Saturday and a more tense 5-4 win 24 hours later.
Low point of the season: One of the losses which stands out is the 9-5 road loss in Fife where Giants had done superbly to erase a 4-1 to lead 5-4 inside the first two minutes of the final period. However the wheels fell off again that evening, as Fife scored five unanswered of their own to win a crazy hockey game.
Player of the Season: Signed initially as the team's secondary enforcer after Matt Nickerson, Blair Riley certainly excelled in his first season in teal. The Kamloops native led the team in scoring as a right wing power forward, notching 28 goals and assists for 56 points in 52 EIHL games. He also added 7 more goals and 11 assists for 18 points in the Challenge Cup and Play-Offs. Riley will be back next season as he completes his second year of study in the Northern Irish capital. Certainly one to keep a close eye upon.
Anything else? The 2017-18 season will see Giants under new stewardship off ice. Gone is Derrick Walser for pastures yet unknown after two seasons. The new coach isn't exactly a new face to the Teal Army; as popular captain Adam Keefe swaps his skates for a suit behind the bench. The Brampton native, who had worn the "C" for the last five seasons, now becomes the tenth coach in the Giants history. He's said he'll lace them up again though, but it will have to be an injury crisis for that to happen. Good luck Keefer...
Next edition, we review the Braehead Clan.
Season in summary: Even though the Giants didn't win anything, it was a better season than the 2015-16 season for the Teal Army. If it wasn't for those Devils, Giants could have easily ended up with some kind of silverware in the Odyssey boardroom. Even though the roster was pretty much the same as it has been over the last few years with veterans such as Shields, Garside and Murphy still icing, the Giants really looked like they were starting to buy into Derrick Walser. However, I think losing Jackson Whistle to injury played a crucial part into why they didn't win anything as when he played - the son of Dave - looked a future starting netminder for years to come for club and GB.
Performance of the Season: It has the double road win in late January where Giants literally killed off the Steelers title challenge with a 5-2 triumph (they led 5-0 at one stage) on the Saturday and a more tense 5-4 win 24 hours later.
Low point of the season: One of the losses which stands out is the 9-5 road loss in Fife where Giants had done superbly to erase a 4-1 to lead 5-4 inside the first two minutes of the final period. However the wheels fell off again that evening, as Fife scored five unanswered of their own to win a crazy hockey game.
Player of the Season: Signed initially as the team's secondary enforcer after Matt Nickerson, Blair Riley certainly excelled in his first season in teal. The Kamloops native led the team in scoring as a right wing power forward, notching 28 goals and assists for 56 points in 52 EIHL games. He also added 7 more goals and 11 assists for 18 points in the Challenge Cup and Play-Offs. Riley will be back next season as he completes his second year of study in the Northern Irish capital. Certainly one to keep a close eye upon.
Anything else? The 2017-18 season will see Giants under new stewardship off ice. Gone is Derrick Walser for pastures yet unknown after two seasons. The new coach isn't exactly a new face to the Teal Army; as popular captain Adam Keefe swaps his skates for a suit behind the bench. The Brampton native, who had worn the "C" for the last five seasons, now becomes the tenth coach in the Giants history. He's said he'll lace them up again though, but it will have to be an injury crisis for that to happen. Good luck Keefer...
Next edition, we review the Braehead Clan.
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