Long-serving ‘D’ man extends Giants deal

Defender Mark Garside has agreed his eighth season with Belfast Giants.

The 28-year-old has scored 56 goals with 139 assists in 418 games for the club.

Garside has been a regular in the Great Britain side for seven straight seasons and was part of the team that recently won the World Championship (Division 1B) tournament in Belfast.

Head Coach Adam Keefe said: “I’m excited about keeping Mark in Belfast and I know our fans will be too. He works very hard for the team and can play in any situation.

“Most importantly, Mark knows how to win with two league titles in Belfast as well as the recent World Championship gold and he will play a key part in our chase for silverware.

Garside added: “It’s been a pleasure to play for the Giants all this time and the ambition to win trophies is a great pull to want to stay here – the city is great as well makes it easy.

“When I first came over at the age of 21 from Edinburgh Capitals you don’t really look that far into the future, so I’m pleased to still be here.

“It’s sad to see Derrick Walser go and we got really close in the title race. Under him I moved from playing forward into defence which it was different.

“I’ve enjoyed playing there and when I moved back there – I felt quite comfortable doing it. It’s been really good for me.

“But I think Adam will do a good job and he’s been assistant coach for two years now, so he’s been learning the ropes and I think he’ll be a great coach to play under.”

(Image permission: Press Eye)