For many, Adam Keefe is the human embodiment of the Belfast Giants. A player, turned Captain, turned Head Coach who arrived on these shores in 2011, and immediately just 'got it'.
His wild and fearless style of play captured the hearts of the Teal Army from day one. A physical, disruptive winger, ‘Keefer’ is best remembered on-ice for his exploits on the legendary “Bash Brothers” line alongside Darryl Lloyd and Mark Garside.
Keefe was a no-nonsense Giant on the ice, quick to drop the gloves and defend his teammates when the situation arose. And with 121 total points (51 goals, 70 assists) in 300 total games played, he also knew where the net was when it mattered.
But off the ice, it was a different story. Keefe threw himself into community work in Belfast and further afield, seemingly driven to help whoever he could, whenever he could; even when the cameras and fans weren’t there. And as we sit here in 2023, very little has changed.
Taking the reins from Derrick Walser in 2017, Keefe has proven his Championship pedigree as a Head Coach time and again. Since swapping his stick for a suit, Keefe has led the Giants to eight pieces of silverware – four Challenge Cups, three Elite League titles, and one Elite League Playoff title in addition to the pair of league titles he clinched as a player.
The younger brother of Toronto Maple Leafs boss Sheldon Keefe, Keefe spent the COVID-19 pandemic contributing to the historic NHL team’s coaching staff, something which has stood him in good stead for the eventual rebirth of the Belfast Giants, and the future of ice hockey in Northern Ireland.
Get Updates