Young Canadian player Diarmuid Kelly showed up at the Giants open training session last week and impressed Hand so much that he was offered a contract with the Giants. 
The team held a practice open to local players who wanted to try and make the Giants team. It was attended by players such as last seasons locals Mark Morrison, Chris McGimpsey and Graeme Walton who where all offered a contract for the new season, however it was a unfamiliar face that had all the fans who came to watch the practice talking.

Diarmuid Kelly is his name, born in Canada but who’s father hails from Londonderry, noticed the advert for open trials on the Belfast Giants website and after unsuccessfully trying to contact the office by phone and e-mail he decided to cash in his chips and book a flight to Belfast to see how things went.

Things went well and he stood out from the other players and after a short time thinking about it, coach Tony Hand offered him the contract. He has played at the highest junior level in the WHL (Western Hockey League), in Canada and at only 22 years of age and only a year into his professional career he has decided to broaden his hockey horizons and come play in the UK.

Diarmuid will now fly home to Canada to pack his backs, get his equipment together and report back to Belfast for training camp.

Category: Archive Posts » » |

.................................................................................................................