Belfast Giants Initiate 25th Anniversary Celebrations with Sculpture Unveiling and Adam Keefe Testimonial

The Odyssey Trust has initiated the celebrations for the Belfast Giants’ 25th anniversary season by revealing a commemorative sculpture. These festivities will also feature a testimonial event for the organization’s coach, Adam Keefe, scheduled for 8 June. Positioned at the main entrance of The SSE Arena, the four-metre tall structure, designed in the shape of four pucks, is intended to greet both ice hockey enthusiasts and concert attendees at the Belfast Giants’ venue. The sustained success of the Giants, demonstrated by playing over 1,000 games both at home and away and attracting millions of fans to their venue, has disproven those who initially doubted the sport’s appeal in Belfast. Coach Keefe commented to BBC Sport NI during the unveiling of the Giants-themed sculpture, stating, “I wasn’t around back then but I’ve been told about the way it was received by some people.” Keefe further added, “The people who got on board in the early days, it’s special for them and it’s extra special that this puck will be really cemented here in The SSE Arena.” He is one of several North American ice hockey players who have settled in Belfast after becoming part of the Giants organization. Keefe elaborated on the unique appeal of playing for the team, saying, “There does seem to be something a little different and a little special about playing here. There are so many players who have stayed here.” He noted that many, including “a bunch on our coaching staff and on our management and others sprinkled around town that haven’t left,” have remained. Keefe emphasized the team’s broader role, stating, “You come here and it does mean a little more than a pro hockey team. Bringing both sides of the community together and helping out in the community is equally important to winning.” The testimonial weekend for Keefe, scheduled for next June, is also expected to draw numerous former players back to the city who significantly contributed during their time in Belfast. The Giants coach remarked, “Mainly I’m happy that we will welcome back some players that deserve to come back and see it as they were a big part of the success here.” He continued, “I’m also happy for the fans and the staff that get to see those guys coming back. It’s going to be a lot of fun celebrating 25 years and there are going to be a lot of familiar faces back in town.” The Belfast Giants have secured the Elite League trophy seven times, with their most recent victory occurring in the 2022-23 season. Robert Fitzpatrick, chief executive of the Odyssey Trust, stated that the newly unveiled sculpture, described as an “emblem of this city,” serves to acknowledge the contributions of visionaries Bob Zeller, Albert Maasland, and Jim Gillespie, whose “passion and commitment” brought the Belfast Giants into existence. The Odyssey Trust chief added, “We’ve been mainstream since we started winning all the trophies in the Elite League and we started selling out the building. We’ll continue to sell-out the building.” Fitzpatrick further noted that the Giants have consistently maintained their ambition and drive, indicating that this approach would persist. He articulated future goals, stating, “We need to get more facilities. We need to build a rink. We need to get our own children understanding that ice hockey is a sport they can participate and excel in.” Fitzpatrick expressed hope that the sculpture’s unveiling would “provokes that conversation within the city, with the government, with our philanthropists……..with anybody that’s out there who realises that 25 years ago they said it wouldn’t last. We’re here to stay.” The Odyssey Trust chief affirmed that Keefe was entirely deserving of the testimonial recognition. He elaborated, “The man has been central to the success of the Belfast Giants as a player, coach but more importantly as a person who espouses all that is good about the organisation.”