Latest news with #BelfastGiants
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Monster Jake Gaudet Signs In Europe
Former Cleveland Monsters center Jake Gaudet has signed with the Belfast Giants of the EIHL. The signing was made official today by the Giants.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Sheldon Keefe visits Belfast to celebrate brother Adam Keefe's jersey retirement in a tearful salute
Sheldon Keefe and Adam Keefe (via Getty Images) New Jersey Devils bench boss Sheldon Keefe made a return visit recently to Belfast, Northern Ireland, to mark a milestone occasion in the career of his little brother, Adam Keefe , whose jersey was retired by the Belfast Giants. What transpired was not only a salute to Adam's on- and off-ice legacy but also a tender moment for a family of hockey players who rarely crossed professional paths but are forever intertwined by the sport. Adam Keefe honoured by Belfast Giants as Sheldon Keefe part of memorable weekend celebration As Adam Keefe's No. 47 jersey was hoisted to the rafters of SSE Arena in Belfast, the deafening roar of gratitude wasn't solely for a talented hockey player—it was for an individual who has become an anchor of the Belfast Giants organization and society. To celebrate the occasion, Adam's older brother, Sheldon Keefe, made his first-ever trip to Northern Ireland to see the birthday party. "It was amazing,' Keefe shared of his experience. 'It was great to see him in his element and be a part of his testimonial night and his jersey retirement. Just to see how much he is loved in the community and learning and hearing so many stories about what he's brought to them, not just on the hockey side, but even just in the community, all the charitable work he does, especially with the hospitals and hospice.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Искате да научите повече за новото BMW 2 Gran Coupe? BMW Научете повече Undo undefined The special format of a Testimonial Game—a UK hockey tradition—had Adam don the uniform one final time, coaching and playing alongside his former teammates and friends. It also became a family affair, as Sheldon and their dad shared the opposing bench. Although they had concurrent careers in hockey, the Keefe brothers never got to split the ice—one in North America, the other building a legacy in Britain. undefined "I moved away from home around 16 to go play hockey," Keefe said. "He was only 12 years old, so I missed kind of that. And then, as he enters junior hockey, I leave to go pro. Then as he became a pro, I was starting to get into coaching, so I've always kind of missed him, and as a result, haven't been as connected as you'd like to be to your brother and his gave so much to it, but the way that he played the game, he played extremely hard, as tough an individual as you can as you'll ever find. " Now Belfast Giants head coach, Adam Keefe, came to Northern Ireland in 2011 as a hard-nosed forward. He hasn't left since. An integral part of the city's fabric over the years, he's become more than a coach—he's family. Married to a native Belfast woman with two daughters, Adam has established a life and legacy in a city that is foreign soil, gaining respect as much for who he is as for how he coaches. Also read: Seth Jones's silent romance: How the NHL star balances fame and privacy The weekend also raised over £109,000 ($147,000) for Northern Ireland Hospice with the Odyssey Trust charity event—a further example of the tight-knit community Adam has assisted in developing. For Sheldon, the trip was greater than mere family support; it was a reminder of how hockey can cross boundaries. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cardiff Devils' 2025-26 schedule confirmed
Cardiff Devils will start and end their 2025-26 season with trips to Nottingham Panthers. The Welsh side begin the campaign with eight successive Challenge Cup fixtures, the first of which sees them travel to the Panthers - who they lost to in double overtime in last season's Playoff Final. Advertisement Devils host new head coach Paul Thompson's former side Coventry Blaze at the Vindico Arena in their first Elite League game of the season on Saturday, 11 October - with Panthers being their first away league opponents the following day. Cardiff travel to Guildford Flames on 30 December for their final match of the calendar year before hosting the west Surrey club in their first fixture of 2026 on New Year's Day. Blaze will be the final visitors of the regular season to the Welsh capital on 4 April, 2026 before Devils conclude their Elite League schedule at Panthers a day later. Having finished the 2024-25 regular season in fourth place, Devils went on to end as runners-up to Panthers after an almighty Playoff tussle. Advertisement The Welsh capital side also suffered final heartache in the Challenge Cup, losing 4-0 to Elite League regular season winners Belfast Giants in the final. Thompson was announced as Pete Russell's successor as head coach in May, having previously had spells in charge of Elite League rivals Blaze and Sheffield Steelers. He had four seasons as head coach of Danish club Odense Bulldogs - who he led to their first ever Metal Ligaen Championship earlier this year. Cardiff Devils' 2025-26 schedule 13/9/25 Challenge Cup 19:00 Nottingham Panthers Cardiff Devils 14/9/25 Challenge Cup 17:00 Cardiff Devils Sheffield Steelers Advertisement 19/9/25 Challenge Cup 19:00 Cardiff Devils Guildford Flames 21/9/25 Challenge Cup 17:30 Coventry Blaze Cardiff Devils 26/9/25 Challenge Cup 19:00 Cardiff Devils Manchester Storm 27/9/25 Challenge Cup 19:00 Manchester Storm Cardiff Devils 4/10/25 Challenge Cup 19:00 Cardiff Devils Coventry Blaze 5/10/25 Challenge Cup 17:00 Cardiff Devils Nottingham Panthers 11/10/25 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Coventry Blaze 12/10/25 League 16:00 Nottingham Panthers Cardiff Devils 18/10/25 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Glasgow Clan 19/10/25 Challenge Cup 16:00 Sheffield Steelers Cardiff Devils 25/10/25 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Nottingham Panthers Advertisement 26/10/25 League 17:30 Coventry Blaze Cardiff Devils 29/10/25 League 19:00 Belfast Giants Cardiff Devils 1/11/25 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Manchester Storm 2/11/25 Challenge Cup 18:00 Guildford Flames Cardiff Devils 7/11/25 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Belfast Giants 9/11/25 League 16:00 Sheffield Steelers Cardiff Devils 14/11/25 League 19:30 Glasgow Clan Cardiff Devils 15/11/25 League 19:00 Dundee Stars Cardiff Devils 16/11/25 League 17:00 Fife Flyers Cardiff Devils 22/11/25 League 19:00 Manchester Storm Cardiff Devils 23/11/25 League 17:00 Cardiff Devils Fife Flyers 28/11/25 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Guildford Flames Advertisement 30/11/25 League 17:00 Fife Flyers Cardiff Devils 6/12/25 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Belfast Giants 7/12/25 League 17:00 Cardiff Devils Glasgow Clan 12/12/25 League 19:30 Glasgow Clan Cardiff Devils 13/12/25 League 19:00 Dundee Stars Cardiff Devils 20/12/25 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Sheffield Steelers 21/12/25 League 17:30 Manchester Storm Cardiff Devils 26/12/25 League 16:00 Cardiff Devils Coventry Blaze 27/12/25 League 18:00 Coventry Blaze Cardiff Devils 30/12/25 League 19:00 Guildford Flames Cardiff Devils 1/1/26 League 16:00 Cardiff Devils Guildford Flames 3/1/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Dundee Stars Advertisement 10/1/26 League 19:00 Manchester Storm Cardiff Devils 11/1/26 League 17:00 Cardiff Devils Glasgow Clan 17/1/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Manchester Storm 18/1/26 League 18:00 Guildford Flames Cardiff Devils 24/1/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Fife Flyers 25/1/26 League 16:00 Sheffield Steelers Cardiff Devils 30/1/26 League 19:30 Dundee Stars Cardiff Devils 1/2/26 League 16:00 Cardiff Devils Nottingham Panthers 6/2/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Guildford Flames 8/2/26 League 17:00 Fife Flyers Cardiff Devils 14/2/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Sheffield Steelers 15/2/26 League 18:00 Guildford Flames Cardiff Devils Advertisement 20/2/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Belfast Giants 22/2/26 League 16:00 Nottingham Panthers Cardiff Devils 28/2/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Fife Flyers 1/3/26 League 16:00 Sheffield Steelers Cardiff Devils 7/3/26 League 19:00 Belfast Giants Cardiff Devils 8/3/26 League 16:00 Belfast Giants Cardiff Devils 13/3/26 League 19:30 Glasgow Clan Cardiff Devils 15/3/26 League 16:00 Cardiff Devils Nottingham Panthers 21/3/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Dundee Stars 22/3/26 League 17:00 Cardiff Devils Dundee Stars 28/3/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Manchester Storm 29/3/26 League 17:30 Coventry Blaze Cardiff Devils Advertisement 1/4/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Sheffield Steelers 4/4/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Coventry Blaze 5/4/26 League 16:00 Nottingham Panthers Cardiff Devils
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Cardiff Devils' 2025-26 schedule confirmed
Cardiff Devils will start and end their 2025-26 season with trips to Nottingham Welsh side begin the campaign with eight successive Challenge Cup fixtures, the first of which sees them travel to the Panthers - who they lost to in double overtime in last season's Playoff host new head coach Paul Thompson's former side Coventry Blaze at the Vindico Arena in their first Elite League game of the season on Saturday, 11 October - with Panthers being their first away league opponents the following travel to Guildford Flames on 30 December for their final match of the calendar year before hosting the west Surrey club in their first fixture of 2026 on New Year's will be the final visitors of the regular season to the Welsh capital on 4 April, 2026 before Devils conclude their Elite League schedule at Panthers a day finished the 2024-25 regular season in fourth place, Devils went on to end as runners-up to Panthers after an almighty Playoff Welsh capital side also suffered final heartache in the Challenge Cup, losing 4-0 to Elite League regular season winners Belfast Giants in the was announced as Pete Russell's successor as head coach in May, having previously had spells in charge of Elite League rivals Blaze and Sheffield had four seasons as head coach of Danish club Odense Bulldogs - who he led to their first ever Metal Ligaen Championship earlier this year. Cardiff Devils' 2025-26 schedule 13/9/25 Challenge Cup 19:00 Nottingham Panthers Cardiff Devils14/9/25 Challenge Cup 17:00 Cardiff Devils Sheffield Steelers19/9/25 Challenge Cup 19:00 Cardiff Devils Guildford Flames21/9/25 Challenge Cup 17:30 Coventry Blaze Cardiff Devils26/9/25 Challenge Cup 19:00 Cardiff Devils Manchester Storm27/9/25 Challenge Cup 19:00 Manchester Storm Cardiff Devils4/10/25 Challenge Cup 19:00 Cardiff Devils Coventry Blaze5/10/25 Challenge Cup 17:00 Cardiff Devils Nottingham Panthers11/10/25 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Coventry Blaze12/10/25 League 16:00 Nottingham Panthers Cardiff Devils18/10/25 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Glasgow Clan19/10/25 Challenge Cup 16:00 Sheffield Steelers Cardiff Devils25/10/25 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Nottingham Panthers26/10/25 League 17:30 Coventry Blaze Cardiff Devils29/10/25 League 19:00 Belfast Giants Cardiff Devils1/11/25 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Manchester Storm2/11/25 Challenge Cup 18:00 Guildford Flames Cardiff Devils7/11/25 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Belfast Giants9/11/25 League 16:00 Sheffield Steelers Cardiff Devils14/11/25 League 19:30 Glasgow Clan Cardiff Devils15/11/25 League 19:00 Dundee Stars Cardiff Devils16/11/25 League 17:00 Fife Flyers Cardiff Devils22/11/25 League 19:00 Manchester Storm Cardiff Devils23/11/25 League 17:00 Cardiff Devils Fife Flyers28/11/25 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Guildford Flames30/11/25 League 17:00 Fife Flyers Cardiff Devils6/12/25 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Belfast Giants7/12/25 League 17:00 Cardiff Devils Glasgow Clan12/12/25 League 19:30 Glasgow Clan Cardiff Devils13/12/25 League 19:00 Dundee Stars Cardiff Devils20/12/25 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Sheffield Steelers21/12/25 League 17:30 Manchester Storm Cardiff Devils26/12/25 League 16:00 Cardiff Devils Coventry Blaze27/12/25 League 18:00 Coventry Blaze Cardiff Devils30/12/25 League 19:00 Guildford Flames Cardiff Devils1/1/26 League 16:00 Cardiff Devils Guildford Flames3/1/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Dundee Stars10/1/26 League 19:00 Manchester Storm Cardiff Devils11/1/26 League 17:00 Cardiff Devils Glasgow Clan17/1/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Manchester Storm18/1/26 League 18:00 Guildford Flames Cardiff Devils24/1/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Fife Flyers25/1/26 League 16:00 Sheffield Steelers Cardiff Devils30/1/26 League 19:30 Dundee Stars Cardiff Devils1/2/26 League 16:00 Cardiff Devils Nottingham Panthers6/2/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Guildford Flames8/2/26 League 17:00 Fife Flyers Cardiff Devils14/2/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Sheffield Steelers15/2/26 League 18:00 Guildford Flames Cardiff Devils20/2/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Belfast Giants22/2/26 League 16:00 Nottingham Panthers Cardiff Devils28/2/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Fife Flyers1/3/26 League 16:00 Sheffield Steelers Cardiff Devils7/3/26 League 19:00 Belfast Giants Cardiff Devils8/3/26 League 16:00 Belfast Giants Cardiff Devils13/3/26 League 19:30 Glasgow Clan Cardiff Devils15/3/26 League 16:00 Cardiff Devils Nottingham Panthers21/3/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Dundee Stars22/3/26 League 17:00 Cardiff Devils Dundee Stars28/3/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Manchester Storm29/3/26 League 17:30 Coventry Blaze Cardiff Devils1/4/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Sheffield Steelers4/4/26 League 19:00 Cardiff Devils Coventry Blaze5/4/26 League 16:00 Nottingham Panthers Cardiff Devils
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Keefe siblings united by hockey despite Atlantic separation
When Adam Keefe signed up to play for the Belfast Giants in 2011, he couldn't have imagined how lifechanging that decision was going to be. He had been hoping to follow in his older brother Sheldon's footsteps and make it to the National Hockey League (NHL), the ultimate goal of every Canadian who laces up the skates. Advertisement Sheldon, four years older than Adam, was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1999 and went on to make his NHL debut the following season, but ultimately his playing career was curtailed because of injury. "It's hard to get to the NHL and I was lucky enough to play at least some exhibition games and play at that level and get a taste of it," said Adam. "Ultimately, I fell short and was getting a little tired. I was getting a little older and I wanted to see the world and experience something new. "With our last name being Keefe, it was always a kind of a bucket list thing to visit the homeland. Advertisement "Finally, the opportunity came through a Facebook message from the coach of the Giants, Doug Christiansen. It was my first chance and I jumped on it. "I thought it would just be a one-year deal and I'd probably go back home and do ultimately what I did here, probably in Toledo." However, the younger Keefe sibling would never make that trip to Toledo. He won Elite League in his first season with the Giants and captained the side to another title victory in 2014. By then he was well established as a leader and a fan favourite, a team-mate that you could rely on to drop the gloves and defend his brothers on the ice. Advertisement Keefe's transition to coach in 2017 was a seamless move for the Giants. It kept the line of succession in place, despite no prior experience in the role. What followed has been the most sustained run of success in the club's twenty-five-year history. Ten trophies - four league championships, five Challenge Cups and a Play-off title - in six full seasons (two were lost due to Covid-19), including a Grand Slam in 2023. "I just fell in love with the city and winning and the fans here. Obviously, I met my wife and have two girls, so I'm locked into Northern Ireland. "It's been a great experience for me and a fun one." Advertisement Giants' fans echo mutual support for 'the heartbeat' of the Belfast side and they recently showed their appreciation at Adam's testimonial when his number 47 shirt was retired, the ultimate honour for a player. 'I wasn't going to mess with him much more' Sheldon made his first trip to Belfast for the event. Since his playing days came to an end, Adam's older brother made his way up through the coaching ranks all the way back to the NHL. He was head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2019-2024 and has just finished his first season in charge of the New Jersey Devils, leading them to the play-offs. Advertisement Sheldon's first impressions of Belfast have been favourable. "I love the city, just walking around and being here in the building and getting a feel for the hockey part of it. "You can see why there's so much passion here for Giants hockey and why Adam fell in love with the city and the team." Growing up together just outside of Toronto, both Keefe brothers were soon on the hockey pathway. "I don't know about brotherly rivalry so much," explained Sheldon. "I mean, there's maybe enough separation with four years that I think I had my way for a lot of the time. Advertisement "But it maybe contributed to some of the edge that he ended up developing in playing. "Certainly, as Adam got older, it was very clear I wasn't going to mess with him much more. "We were playing hockey, fighting in the basement, competing in the driveway and on the street and he quite often was playing with my friends and having to try to compete." Adam agreed, "A lot of times it's him and his friends playing street hockey and you're four years younger than those guys. "You got to work extra hard and sometimes you're going to get knocked down. "So, if you want to stay in there, you got to learn to fight back and I certainly did that. Advertisement "Obviously, he's provided a great example for me and set a very high standard that is difficult to try to keep up with. "He took care of me through critical years when I was a teenager and set me on a good path. "Then to follow his career while I was trying to make the NHL, to follow his coaching career and see that he just kind of kept winning right from the time he started. "Then ultimately to claw his way back to the NHL as a coach becoming one of the youngest coaches in the league and then to coach arguably the biggest hockey club in the world. That's very special." 'His life is all about the hockey' Adam's success as a coach has come as no surprise to Sheldon. In his words, "life's been all about hockey". Advertisement "I think we can both say we would be a little lost without the game. "If I look at my own transition into coaching, when you maybe first get into it, for me, at least, I didn't know what I was doing at all. "But you're relying on your competitiveness, your passion for the game, your work ethic, all the things that help you play at a high level, and that gives you a strong foundation. "I knew Adam was going to commit and be all in on everything that he's doing and while learning and refining any skills that you need as a coach, you're going to have the respect of your players because of everything that you put in to help them and the team. Advertisement "He's been an absolute competitor and a guy that will do anything to win for his entire life." Sheldon has helped Adam out with player recruitment and wouldn't hesitate to recommend Belfast as a playing destination. "I've followed enough to know the standard of the Elite League and that it just continues to improve and get better and better. "Seeing the arena and seeing the city and community, it would be a great draw for players to come and get the life experience but still play great hockey. "As I watch the young kids playing as well, there is lots of excitement about growing the game here too." Advertisement Despite enjoying his Testimonial weekend where the Giants once again gave back to the community raising over £109,000 for the Northern Ireland Hospice, the new season is never far from Adam's mind. "Champions League is right around the corner. "August is going to come around pretty quick, and nobody cares about last year.'
