It appears that veteran Giants blue liner Roman Gavalier is leaving town for pastures new. Roman has signed for MHK VTRJ Kezmarok in what I assume must be his homeland Slovakia. Gavalier will go down as one of the all-time best Giants defensemen and a true fan favorite. The Slovak joined the Giants in the 2004-2005 season before leaving to play the following year in Poland. He returned yet again in the 2006-2007 season where he played right through until this past season.

Last season was interrupted for Roman with a serious leg injury that kept him out of the line-up for 20-games after only one game of the season. It wasn’t known at the time if he would ever come back again but he made a full recovery in time to help the Giants on their huge 16-game winning streak that took the team from bottom to top of the Elite League. Although the team fell short of honors this season, Gavalier was seen as one of the better players in what was an up and down season.

Rumors doing the rounds suggested that Gavalier was set to retire after the season of injuries but it appears he has decided to keep playing, but just with a new team in a separate league.

Roman Gavalier will be missed in Belfast. He was a solid stay-at-home defenseman with excellent puck moving ability. He was reliable and probably the most consistent player over the past two seasons all told. Good luck Roman at your new team, good luck in your future and we all hope to see you someday again in the Odyssey even as a guest.

Category: Former Giants » » Roman Gavalier |

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