The Captain is Back: Goodwin returns to Belfast for 2022/23

Last season, Goodwin was the core of one of the most prolific top lines in Belfast Giants history, running riot across the EIHL alongside JJ Piccinich and Scott Conway. Captaining the Giants to an historic Premier Sports Elite League and Challenge Cup double, he personally notched up 27 goals and 53 assists, good for 80 total points.

A firm fan favourite making an impact on and off the ice, ‘Goody’ returns for his second season as captain, as the Giants seek to defend their championship titles and gear up for a competitive Champions Hockey League (CHL) campaign in 2022/23.

Commenting on the news, Adam Keefe, head coach of the Belfast Giants said: “It’s great to have Goody confirm his return to Belfast next season. He played an instrumental role in our double trophy success last season, leading the Giants as captain he showed immense compassion for his teammates, the Giants organisation, and our fans - the Teal Army. A key player in our offensive zone, I know Goody will return hungry for another season of success.”

Speaking of his return to Belfast, David Goodwin said: “I’m really excited to be back with the Giants, last year was perfect – we had a tonne of success. I’m looking forward to building on that success, winning more games, and bringing trophies home. In a lot of ways, Belfast is like a second home to me – I love the community, the culture, and the fans are amazing... I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else.”

The Belfast Giants have also recently announced the re-signing of 2021/22 Giants, Ciaran Long, Ben Lake, and Jeff Baum, as well as the return of head coach Adam Keefe. Further signings are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Season tickets for the 2022/23 season are on sale now.

Announced earlier this week, tickets for the Friendship Four tournament will go on sale today, Friday 17 June at 5PM via Ticketmaster.ie. The high-profile four-game tournament returns to The SSE Arena, Belfast this November, and is the first and only National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) hockey tournament to take place outside of the United States.

Four top U.S. college hockey teams – Umass Lowell River Hawks, Massachusetts Hockey (UMass), Quinnipiac Bobcats and Dartmouth Big Green – will come together to compete for the coveted Belpot trophy over Thanksgiving weekend on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 November 2022.

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DAVID GOODWIN | #64 | St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Goodwin spent his junior career in the USHL split between the Green Bay Gamblers, Sioux City Musketeers and Cedar Rapids Roughriders before opting for college, joining the NCAA Big 10’s Penn State in 2013-14.

In his senior year, Goodwin was named Captain and led his team to a Big 10 Championship, posting 38 points (11 goals, 27 assists) in 39 games played. He also received an NCAA Sportsmanship Award, and to this day ranks 12th in Penn State’s all-time scoring list.

Prior to his time in Sweden, he had spent two years with Finnish side SaiPa; demonstrating his ability as a playmaker and willingness to battle in front of the paint for greasy goals.

During the cancelled 2020-21 EIHL season, Goodwin found himself in Poland on a Silver Medal winning Cracovia Krakow squad, which featured a host of familiar names including Michael Gutwald, Luke Ferrara, and Darcy Murphy.

After a late arrival in Belfast from Swedish side Mora IK during the 2019/20 season, the St Louis, Missouri forward amassed 29 points in 32 games played.

Following a silver medal winning spell with Krakow in Poland during the 2020/21 COVID shutdown, Goodwin returned to The SSE Arena, Belfast as the Giants were reborn in 2021/22. He was awarded the team captaincy by head coach Adam Keefe, having formerly worn the ‘C’ at NCAA Big 10 school Penn State.