The Odyssey Trust has confirmed the full Belfast Giants All Stars roster that will take on Ukrainian National Championship side Dnipro Kherson in a charity game at The SSE Arena, Belfast on Wednesday 19 April 2023.
Featuring several of this season’s 2022/23 Elite League and Challenge Cup-winning roster, including Mark Cooper, Jeff Baum, Ciaran Long, and captain David Goodwin, and a number of former Giants from throughout the years, such as Steve Saviano, JJ Piccinich, Darryl Lloyd, and current Giants head coach Adam Keefe, the one-off international will be contested in support of Ukrainian Hockey Dream – the registered charity foundation of the Ice Hockey Federation of Ukraine.
Talking about his return to the ice, Adam Keefe said: “I am really looking forward to playing in front of the Giants fans for the first time in five years. Better yet, I get to do it alongside some fantastic current and former Giants for such an important cause. I would urge all Giants supporters to get behind the Hockey Can’t Stop initiative and help us raise as much money as possible for those who need it the most.”
All proceeds from the game’s ticket sales will be donated towards Ukrainian Hockey Dream’s 2022/23 global fundraising goal of $15.6m, all of which will be used to support up to 7,500 young players, professionals, coaches, and staff members, across more than 100 clubs and 15 schools throughout Ukraine.
Steve Thornton, head of hockey at the Stena Line Belfast Giants, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all the brilliant businesses and organisations – Belfast Harbour, Stena Line, Cara Group Travel, Harness, SSE Airtricity, Belfast City Council, Foyle Friends of Ukraine, Third Sector Connect, and Connected Health, that have pledged their support towards this special charity game.
“For us, this game means far more than hockey. It’s about showing solidarity with others during a time of need. We hope that the money raised will make a real difference to Ukrainian Hockey Dream and contribute towards their invaluable work to reinstate ice hockey throughout Ukraine.”
For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.ticketmaster.ie.
FULL SQUAD*
Andrew Dickson, Gabe Bast, Jeff Baum, Kell Beattie, Mark Garside, Steve Saviano, Paul Swindlehurst, George Awada, Jonathan Boxill, Grant Cooper, Mark Cooper, Henrik Eriksson, David Goodwin, Adam Keefe, Darryl Lloyd, Ciaran Long, Matt McLeod, JJ Piccinich & Mack Stewart.
*subject to change.