Belfast Giants head coach Adam Keefe says the signings of David Goodwin and Tyler Soy has given his roster further strength.
Goodwin returns to the club after playing for them in the aborted 2019/20 campaign while Soy will be a new face to the fans in the SSE Arena.
And Keefe spoke of what the players will bring to his side in the forthcoming season, which begins in September.
“These two recent signings bring further strength to our roster,” he said. “We’re very happy to have ‘Goody’ back in teal this season.
“He gives 100% every shift for his team and plays hard on both sides of the puck. He scored some big goals for us and brings additional leadership and a strong work ethic back to Belfast, plus knows what it means to wear the Belfast Giants jersey and play for this city.
“Tyler Soy brings a dynamic skill set and we’re excited to watch him do his thing in Belfast. Fans will enjoy watching him in action; he’s a player that makes his line mates better with his skill set.”
SIGNING NEWS ✍
David Goodwin and Tyler Soy join the roster for the forthcoming 2021/22 season.
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— Belfast Giants (@BelfastGiants) August 4, 2021
Goodwin got some valued on-ice time last season with Cracovia Krakow in Poland, playing alongside fellow returning Giant, Darcy Murphy.
And he says his return seemed to be completely out of left field as he looks ahead to reuniting with the Giants fan again.
“It’s a little surreal,” Goodwin said. “Obviously, I loved my time there previously and I didn’t know if I was ever going to get an opportunity to go back.
“With all of the unknowns in the world, I just never knew if things were going to match up again. So, the fact that they have, and I will be coming back, is really exciting.
“I really believe Belfast is a very special place, to play hockey, but also to live and to get involved in the community.
“I think the fans are second to none there. They really have created a really cool and fun culture to play in and play in front of. They’re are a massive part of me re-signing.”
Tyler Soy is a new addition to the Belfast Giants roster (PHOTO: Victoria Royals)
Soy is the new face at the club and signs from USports side University of Alberta where he spent three years, prior to which he played for the WHL outfit Victoria Royals between 2012 and 2018.
There, he was the club’s all-time leader in goals, assists and points, with an impressive 323 games played. In the 2017-18 season alone, he achieved 92 points in 66 games.
And Soy says the decision to move to Northern Ireland was an easy decision when he was weighing up his options.
“I’m very excited,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for me. It’s a good League and seems like an amazing place to play and to live.
“I’m excited just talking with Keefer and Steve (Thornton – Giants’ Director of Hockey Operations) and getting the chance to be able to move across the word and play professionally, it was a pretty easy decision.
“It’s been a long year without any games for me. Everyone says it, but there’s nothing like playing in front of an arena full of fans, and it’s definitely exciting. I can’t wait.”
