Christiansen to Guide Belfast Giants

The following article featuring former Union standout Doug Christiansen appeared April 18 on the Belfast Giants Web site.

The Belfast Giants will have a new coach next season, and his name is Doug Christiansen. The 31 year old from Milwaukee, Wisconsin will take over from the departing Steve Thornton who has accepted a job offer outside of hockey in his hometown of Ottawa, Canada.

Last month, Christiansen was selected as Coach of the Year by the British Ice Hockey Writer’s Association and the past three seasons, he has been in charge of the Edinburgh Capitals leading them, on a shoestring budget, to sixth place in the Elite League last season, their highest ever position.

“It’s a tremendous honour to be put in charge of an organisation with such a history as the Belfast Giants. I think Steve Thornton has done a wonderful job of assembling a winning team over the last couple of years and his are big shoes to fill but faith has been put in me to continue the tradition of winning trophies and it’s humbling but very exciting to get this opportunity,” explained Christiansen.

Steve Thornton spent two highly successful seasons in charge of the Giants winning three trophies, including the Playoff Championship two weeks ago but now he is stepping away from hockey to pursue a new career path.

He said, “The last two years have been the best time of my life.  My family and I have loved everything about Belfast but the opportunity I have been given back home is too good to pass up at this time.  I have actually been offered this job for the last couple years and have kept telling them that I wanted one more year, but the offer is not going to be there forever.  It offers me a secure future and it is the best decision for my family and me. I have some of my best memories in hockey here in Belfast with last weekend’s playoff win topping the list. I will miss it all - the fans, the team and everyone associated with the Giants that have made this place feel like home for two years.”

So Christiansen becomes the sixth coach in Giants history and he joins the franchise with the likes of netminder Stephen Murphy and forwards Craig Peacock, Evan Cheverie and Colin Shields already signed up for next season.

“The Giants are a championship contender year after year and I think with the foundation of players we have returning, if I can add some effective signings and good people there’s no reason why we can’t win the title and that’s why I came to Belfast. This isn’t about blowing everything up and starting anew. There will be players who have retired or will move on after last season but there are guys who will be waiting to see who the new coach is and what I’m all about and it’s now my job to convince them of my vision and how I want to go about helping them to continue their success. There are definitely some players on last year’s roster I’d like to see back in Belfast next year,” added Christiansen.

There is no decision yet on whether he’ll be a player coach as he is still having rehabilitation on a serious knee injury but there is no doubt that he is determined to step into the hot seat and continue the Giants success.

“I’m a confident person and I wouldn’t have taken the job if I didn’t think I could continue the success that Steve Thornton has had but I believe in myself, my work ethic and my preparation and I’m certain I will not get outworked this summer and we’ll make sure we have the best players we can possibly have. My goal is to build a team that will continue winning championships in Belfast because that’s what the fans want and that’s what I want.”

For more information, go to www.belfastgiants.com for even more stories on the appointment of Doug Christiansen and the departure of  Steve Thornton.