DURHAM, UK – Belfast Giants currently top the Elite League with a total of 49 points from their opening 30 games of the regular season. Doug Christiansen’s side are ideally poised to capture the 2011/12 Elite League title and one of the main reasons behind Belfast’s success so far this campaign has been the strength of the home grown players on the Giants roster.
Christiansen’s 3 young British forwards (Craig Peacock, Robert Dowd and Mark Garside) have already contributed over 80 points this season which illustrates just how crucial they are to the overall success of the Giants. Pro Hockey News recently got the opportunity to speak to Craig Peacock about how the 2011/12 season is progressing for the player himself and his team.
“I feel we have had a pretty good start to the season, we are sitting in a good position currently which is where we wanted to be, setting us up for the second half of the season. It has been a struggle at times through the injuries and players leaving the club but that is the nature of the sport and it’s something that we just have to deal with and find a way to get results, which we have managed to do so far this year.
“We want to be challenging for every trophy on offer. We have made the semi’s of the challenge cup and we are right in the mix of things for the league. Belfast is a club that demands success and after coming away empty handed last season we have our sights set on picking up as many trophies as we can. To go this year without winning anything again will be disappointing and we will have under achieved.”
Craig went onto speak about his superb start to the current campaign and how he saw his role on the Giants roster.
“I don’t think much has changed about my game, just the experience now of being in the league for 3 years. I feel that I am maturing more as a player and my game is developing with that and having the chance to play with some great players also helps. Playing with Doucet before he got injured and McBride before he left helped me raise my game as well and now playing with last season’s top scorer Jon Pelle it makes things a lot easier for me on the ice.
Craig takes a shot against Fife
“Being now the second longest serving giant behind Graham Walton I do feel a responsibility to be a leader even though I’m still only young, I just try to go out and play my best every game and make sure that the team knows the importance of every game as here the league title is the most important and the new guys on the team may be more focused in their North American ways to gear up for the playoffs.
“I haven’t really set any personal goals for myself, making the GB team again would be one and just to help the team push forward for trophies to get this club back amongst the silverwear where it should be.”
Belfast lost the services of Colin Shields one of the best British forwards of recent years in the close season. We asked Craig if the loss of Shields had increased the pressure on him to perform as one of the Giant’s top forwards.
“I think so yes, I think it falls on all 3 of us younger Brits now at the Giants. Myself, Mark Garside and Robert Dowd all have to raise our game and bring something to the team, we are all the same age and we know that this is a great chance for us to take on some responsibility and be big parts of the Giants team.”
Despite posting over 50 points last season Peacock was surprisingly left out of thee Great Britain squad for the World Championships in Kiev. Craig speaks of his disappointment of missing out on selection for the tournament and of his thoughts on the future for the national team.
“It was a big disappointment for me to miss out, any time you get to play for your country it is an honour. The competition for places on the team is so high and that’s only a good thing for us as a nation. After making it the season before then not last year it made me determined to do what I could through the summer to prepare for this season to give myself the best possible chance of being selected again.
“Paul Thompson did fantastic things with the GB programme the past few years and the guys did amazing last year narrowly missing out on the gold medal. I don’t think it matters who the coach is as like I said before the standard of players now in the country is so high and nobody’s place is guaranteed. Everybody will have to fight all season long to make the trip at the end of the year and that’s a great thing.”
Craig started his career in the EPL (English Premier League) with the Peterborough Phantoms and the experience he gained from his time in Peterborough helped him develop his all round game during his formative years in senior hockey.
Craig drives to the net
“I spent 2 good seasons in Peterborough whilst 18/19 years old, it gave me the chance to get the ice time I needed to learn and develop I got to play in all situations. It helped being able to play regularly rather than making the jump to the Elite league too early and not really getting good playing time. I think it’s important that you start your way from the bottom and make your way up and really give yourself a chance to develop yourself as a player before making the step up.
“We had won the treble in Peterborough and I had a couple of offers to move up. I felt the time was right after having a successful season in the EPL. I had a chance to play a few games (the previous) season with the (Basingtoke) Bison (in the Elite League) and I think it helped show me that I was capable of making the jump. I just wanted the chance to be able to prove myself and Steve Thornton the coach at the time (at Belfast) told me I would get that chance and make of it what I will and I just grabbed it with both hands and never looked back.”
Craig went onto speak of the best players he had iced with so far in his career and his favourite/least favourite rinks he has visited during his time in the game.
“At the Giants in my first year, Jeff Szwez. He was a great player who could do everything, he never took a night off and it was a pleasure to be able to play alongside him every day. Colin Shields is another, he has shown that British players can be successful over in North America and he was great for me when I first came to Belfast and he made the transition into this league a lot easier for me.
Peacock in action
“I love playing at home at the big O (Odyssey Arena). It’s a great arena and we have a great set of fans. It’s always a thrill to play at home. Really disliked Whitley Bay when Newcastle were in the league, wasn’t the nicest of places to visit when you are on the road!”
Just before the interview came to a conclusion Craig spoke of his most enjoyable moments of his career up to now.
“Winning the treble in Peterborough was something special, it’s not too often you get to sweep all the trophies on offer. We had a great team that year with a great coach and it is something I will always remember.”
“Winning the playoffs my first season in Belfast. The atmosphere that weekend was like something I’ve never experienced before, and to win a trophy in my first full pro season was a perfect start to my career.
Thanks to Craig for taking the time out to chat about his season up to now and we wish him and the Giants all the best for the remainder of the campaign.
Photos courtesy of Ian Buchan
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
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