G re-signs, 2 year deal
- Thread starter Paul Sullivan
- Start date
Burgy your entitled to your opinion, out of curiosity who do you think is the man to lead us to silverware and who do you think will come to a club that has as we all know very limited resource, probably one of the smallest budgets in the league, and a home at the moment most people wouldnt go camping in 
but a set of fans that are probably the loudest and most passionate in the eihl..
but a set of fans that are probably the loudest and most passionate in the eihl..
Totally totally agree with this!
Last off season we were looking like we were in a bit of trouble again, and would we even be icing a team, it was that bad. But we have made massive progress this season and to finish 4th considering the financial problems that restricted G in the player market and even caused him to lose out on a few players, he has done exceptionally well.....again!
G getting a 2 year contract is fantastic news, and whereas I suspected G's +/- was pretty good, Finny has provided a valuable insight into what it actually is.
I agree with Paul and others on this, G is very consistent, he is a little slower these days and G himself will probably be the first to say that, but he brings other key skills to the table as a player, notably, consistency, leadership and solidity.
If he skates for another season then fine, the year after that I would like to see him revert back to just 'coach'.
Gerad recruits brilliantly(no doubt with excellent help from Francis), and consistently signs good players. I have no doubts that he will sign a top replacement for Voth, another tough player who can play very well, score goals and provide assists.
He will be able to wheel and deal in the transfer market this summer with a lot more freedom and ability than last year, so I am very confident that he will sign a top class team this summer.
If we take a look at Nottingham and their large budget that Corey Neilson enjoys, they are still a million miles away from winning the league. Yes, they have won the playoff trophy and that rightly is seen as the big prize in hockey, but unfortunately in the British game you only have to win 3 games to lift that trophy. This makes it all look a little, ummm.......hollow. Until the playoff format is expanded and improved the 54 game slog of the league campaign makes the league trophy the really big one, and as Paul Ragan is correctly pointed out, if we had an arena we wouldn't be waiting 50 years for a league title.
Back to G, it is great news in my opinion, well done Paul Ragan!
Last off season we were looking like we were in a bit of trouble again, and would we even be icing a team, it was that bad. But we have made massive progress this season and to finish 4th considering the financial problems that restricted G in the player market and even caused him to lose out on a few players, he has done exceptionally well.....again!
G getting a 2 year contract is fantastic news, and whereas I suspected G's +/- was pretty good, Finny has provided a valuable insight into what it actually is.
I agree with Paul and others on this, G is very consistent, he is a little slower these days and G himself will probably be the first to say that, but he brings other key skills to the table as a player, notably, consistency, leadership and solidity.
If he skates for another season then fine, the year after that I would like to see him revert back to just 'coach'.
Gerad recruits brilliantly(no doubt with excellent help from Francis), and consistently signs good players. I have no doubts that he will sign a top replacement for Voth, another tough player who can play very well, score goals and provide assists.
He will be able to wheel and deal in the transfer market this summer with a lot more freedom and ability than last year, so I am very confident that he will sign a top class team this summer.
If we take a look at Nottingham and their large budget that Corey Neilson enjoys, they are still a million miles away from winning the league. Yes, they have won the playoff trophy and that rightly is seen as the big prize in hockey, but unfortunately in the British game you only have to win 3 games to lift that trophy. This makes it all look a little, ummm.......hollow. Until the playoff format is expanded and improved the 54 game slog of the league campaign makes the league trophy the really big one, and as Paul Ragan is correctly pointed out, if we had an arena we wouldn't be waiting 50 years for a league title.
Back to G, it is great news in my opinion, well done Paul Ragan!
It was obvious Christiansen was going to be awarded Coach of the Year. The consistency of Belfast Giants' performance this season has been amazing.......but if you are given the resources it can be achieved, can't it?
Would love to see how any other coach in this league could perform with limited resources and only 8 imports for most of the season.
On the Elite League Show last week, Simms actually mentioned that weighing everything up, G was probably the best coach in the league. Christiansen himself said the same......those comments are from individuals steeped in the sport. That's good enough for me.
G is also a man of integrity, patience and loyalty. He could have walked away from the problems at this club but chose to stay and help develop it. Those values are respected by his colleagues and his players.
This season has been all about stability (financially and team-wise) and development. The on and off-ice teams are achieving that and the club is moving forward. I really believe most fans would prefer to see this continue lead by the right personnel at the expense of winning something this season.
PR and G never said the season's team were going to win the league - they knew after last Summer's horrendous events that the Club could not compete against the Belfast's and Nottingham's of this world. But they DID say that our team would be competitive and challenging .....the Devils have already reached one semi-final, and finished 4th in the League with only 8 imports. Remarkable achievements anyone's standards.
Our British players have had a chance to really develop and the Club is slowly getting back on an even keel with sponsorship and preparation for our new home in 2 seasons.
If all that can be done on restricted resources and with an injury-ridden team, imagine what could be possible? G, Neil and the Team have somehow found a way to win games by adapting the style of play and using sheer hard work. You can see the team spirit when they play together.
Well done PR, for pulling off this one. Fantastic news that G (and Neil) are back for more.
Would love to see how any other coach in this league could perform with limited resources and only 8 imports for most of the season.
On the Elite League Show last week, Simms actually mentioned that weighing everything up, G was probably the best coach in the league. Christiansen himself said the same......those comments are from individuals steeped in the sport. That's good enough for me.
G is also a man of integrity, patience and loyalty. He could have walked away from the problems at this club but chose to stay and help develop it. Those values are respected by his colleagues and his players.
This season has been all about stability (financially and team-wise) and development. The on and off-ice teams are achieving that and the club is moving forward. I really believe most fans would prefer to see this continue lead by the right personnel at the expense of winning something this season.
PR and G never said the season's team were going to win the league - they knew after last Summer's horrendous events that the Club could not compete against the Belfast's and Nottingham's of this world. But they DID say that our team would be competitive and challenging .....the Devils have already reached one semi-final, and finished 4th in the League with only 8 imports. Remarkable achievements anyone's standards.
Our British players have had a chance to really develop and the Club is slowly getting back on an even keel with sponsorship and preparation for our new home in 2 seasons.
If all that can be done on restricted resources and with an injury-ridden team, imagine what could be possible? G, Neil and the Team have somehow found a way to win games by adapting the style of play and using sheer hard work. You can see the team spirit when they play together.
Well done PR, for pulling off this one. Fantastic news that G (and Neil) are back for more.