Bobby MacIntyre has joined the Belfast Giants.
The 27-year-old forward has inked a one-year contract with the Elite League side, who are currently slumped in a four-game losing streak.
MacIntyre, who will wear the No. 29 jersey in Belfast, is available for selection for the Giants’ home clash against the Glasgow Clan on Saturday [25 November].
“Bobby comes to us highly recommended by former Giants’ coach Doug Christiansen, who worked with him in the ECHL,” explained head coach Adam Keefe.
“He has quick feet, can make plays, and plays the game with passion. These are all the things we could use at the minute. He will be a welcome addition at a time when we are low on bodies. A shot of energy is exactly what we need at the moment.”
MacIntyre arrives in the Elite League with a wealth of professional and major junior experience, starting with a standout career in the Ontario Hockey League.
The Canadian recorded 183 points (69 goals, 114 points) in 306 appearances for the Mississauga Steelheads and Soo Greyhounds, before signing professional terms in the ECHL with the Jacksonville IceMen.
After three successful seasons split between the ECHL (86 points, 108 games) and American Hockey League (21 points, 63 games), MacIntryre moved to Europe where he enjoyed spells with Frisk Asker of the Norwegian Metal-Ligaen and Mora IK of Sweden’s Hockey Allsvenskan.
Why have the Belfast Giants signed forward Bobby MacIntyre?
The Giants put pen to paper with MacIntyre for two reasons – injuries and lacklustre form.
Injuries have derailed Belfast’s season, with all-action forward Ben Lake the latest player to be forced out of Keefe’s line-up.
Acquiring MacIntyre is the Giants’ first step towards restocking their roster with healthy players capable of contributing offensively.
Bobby MacIntyre, now of the Belfast Giants (Image: Soo Greyhounds)
With that said, nobody should overlook their cratering form.
The Giants have lost four straight, falling all the way down to eighth position in the Elite League standings.
Keefe labelled some of his players “passengers” after a recent loss to the Manchester Storm, commentary which reflects the atmosphere spilling out from the stands.
MacIntyre, it must be stressed, is a very talented player, with three impressive seasons on the continent under his belt.
The Scarborough-native debuted for Frisk Asker in 2020-21, potting 33 points (10 goals, 23 assists) in 22 top-flight appearances. He spent the following season with Mora IK in the Swedish second tier, totalling a disappointing 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in 48 outings.
MacIntyre returned to Asker last term and piled up a respectable 30 points (12 goals, 18 assist) in 43 games.
While undersized at 5-foot-9, the former Cleveland Monster has the offensive tools to lift the Giants out of their current slump and will be someone Keefe leans on down the stretch.
