BELFAST,U.K-Steve Thornton has agreed to terms and will return to the Elite league Belfast Giants as Player-Coach for the 2009-10 Season. Thornton made his Giants debut in 2003 when he joined half way through the season and helped the Giants to a second place league finish and lead them to their only Playoff Title to date.
Player-coach Steve Thornton (Photo courtesy of Michael Cooper)
Thorny spent the next few seasons in Europe before returning to the UK as player-assistant coach for Elite League side Basingstoke Bison. Thornton then suffered a hand injury which required surgery and saw him ice in only 28 games but still tally 15 goals and 22 assists. When Ed Courtenay announced his retirement it was up to General Manager Todd Kelman to bring in a new coach, and Thornton was his first choice. Since rejoining the Giants, Thornton has 62 points in 54 games, and also rejoined Team Great Britain and went alongside five other Giants to the Olympic Qualifiers in Poland. Thornton also lifted his first piece of Silverware as a Coach, with the Giants winning 6-5 on aggregate over the Manchester Phoenix on St. Patrick’s Day in the Challenge Cup final. The Giant’s sights are now firmly on their British Knockout Cup final on Thursday March 26 in the Odyssey Arena, and then to their Playoff Qualifiers to try win the treble in Thornton’s inaugural term as Coach. Contact the author at
Aaron.stewart@prohockeynews.com Related
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