Giants’ roster continues to develop

by UK American Sports Fans

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The Stena Line Belfast Giants announced more returning Giants to their squad today, which sees two Northern Irish born players, Gareth Roberts and Robbie Brown, added to the 2013/14 roster.

Roberts, 27, returns to the Giants for a fourth season after impressing throughout the 2012/13 campaign. Gareth has played in 130 Belfast Giants games to date and helped his hometown team to the Elite League Championship in 2012. He has also carried his professionalism onto international level with Team Ireland, finishing in the Top 5 points scorers charts in this year’s World Championships Division 3 hosted in South Africa with 11 points in only 5 games played.

Robbie Brown returns to the Giants for his second spell with the organisation after winning the Playoff Championship with his hometown team in 2010. Since then Robbie, 22 years old, has gained experience around the UK with Wightlink Raiders, Basingstoke Bison, Invicta Dynamos and Peterborough Phantoms.

General Manager Todd Kelman spoke about the two signings and the importance of developing local talent: “Both Gareth and Robbie have had the opportunity to play on championship winning teams in Belfast and both have continued to develop and improve year on year.

“Paul Adey (Head Coach) and I wanted to ensure we had depth in our lineup and we have two players that can play at the Elite League level and can step into our top 9 forwards when need be.

“We want to show a commitment to the local players that can see a pathway to playing for the Giants. It is difficult to make the jump to this level but Gareth and Robbie have both worked extremely hard during the season and during the off-season to make sure they were mentally and physically ready to play for the Giants.

“I am pleased to see local players who are born and bred here in Belfast playing for their hometown team. I always say that it means more to the local guys to pull on a Giants jersey than it possibly could ever mean to the rest of us. Both Gareth and Robbie are quality individuals and loved by their teammates. I am happy to have them both back in Belfast for another season.”