Belfast Giants hope the £100 million Odyssey Arena will help secure Players as well as Fans
In charge of the new Belfast Giants Ice Hockey Club, coach Dave Whistle, takes his fledgling Giants side to Nottingham on 16th September 2000 for the new team's opening Superleague game - and he hasn't even got a team yet!
In Belfast this week, having driven over from his Berkshire home, the former Bracknell Coach, who led the Bees to the Superleague title last season, was preparing to move into his new home in Bangor.
'We've bought a house here in Northern Ireland and we can't wait to move over. I've registered our two sons with a local school, it was important to get the family sorted out, now I can concentrate on building a strong team,' he said.
'I am getting a positive response from the guys I am speaking to and have verbal agreements with seven, it is now just a matter of getting their signatures on the contracts.
'We are going to be spending our first 12-14 games on the road which will be a real test of character for the players and myself. That is why I have to be sure I am bringing in the right players at the start.
'I would rather begin the season with the minimum number allowed and bring in players as they become available rather than bringing the wrong ones and have to get rid of them.'
The Giants hope to open at the £100 million Odyssey Arena in November 2000, and Whistle can't wait. 'It is going to be a night to remember and I'm sure the people of Northern Ireland will take the sport to their hearts and get behind the team.
'Ice Hockey is not only the fastest team sport around, it is also an entertainment in itself and I'm sure the travelling fans and the people here in Northern Ireland will hit it off straight away and create sporting friendships that will last a long time.'
It is hoped that he will be able to announce his first signings within the next 14 days and they are set to continue throughout the summer until they are due to arrive here at the end of August in time for one or two exhibition games.
Peter Collins
Communications Director
Belfast Giants
Office tel: 028 9059 0208
Mobile: 0370 615948
In Belfast this week, having driven over from his Berkshire home, the former Bracknell Coach, who led the Bees to the Superleague title last season, was preparing to move into his new home in Bangor.
'We've bought a house here in Northern Ireland and we can't wait to move over. I've registered our two sons with a local school, it was important to get the family sorted out, now I can concentrate on building a strong team,' he said.
'I am getting a positive response from the guys I am speaking to and have verbal agreements with seven, it is now just a matter of getting their signatures on the contracts.
'We are going to be spending our first 12-14 games on the road which will be a real test of character for the players and myself. That is why I have to be sure I am bringing in the right players at the start.
'I would rather begin the season with the minimum number allowed and bring in players as they become available rather than bringing the wrong ones and have to get rid of them.'
The Giants hope to open at the £100 million Odyssey Arena in November 2000, and Whistle can't wait. 'It is going to be a night to remember and I'm sure the people of Northern Ireland will take the sport to their hearts and get behind the team.
'Ice Hockey is not only the fastest team sport around, it is also an entertainment in itself and I'm sure the travelling fans and the people here in Northern Ireland will hit it off straight away and create sporting friendships that will last a long time.'
It is hoped that he will be able to announce his first signings within the next 14 days and they are set to continue throughout the summer until they are due to arrive here at the end of August in time for one or two exhibition games.
Peter Collins
Communications Director
Belfast Giants
Office tel: 028 9059 0208
Mobile: 0370 615948