Latest news with #AdamKeefe
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Sheldon Keefe visits Belfast to celebrate brother Adam Keefe's jersey retirement in a tearful salute
Sheldon Keefe and Adam Keefe (via Getty Images) New Jersey Devils bench boss Sheldon Keefe made a return visit recently to Belfast, Northern Ireland, to mark a milestone occasion in the career of his little brother, Adam Keefe , whose jersey was retired by the Belfast Giants. What transpired was not only a salute to Adam's on- and off-ice legacy but also a tender moment for a family of hockey players who rarely crossed professional paths but are forever intertwined by the sport. Adam Keefe honoured by Belfast Giants as Sheldon Keefe part of memorable weekend celebration As Adam Keefe's No. 47 jersey was hoisted to the rafters of SSE Arena in Belfast, the deafening roar of gratitude wasn't solely for a talented hockey player—it was for an individual who has become an anchor of the Belfast Giants organization and society. To celebrate the occasion, Adam's older brother, Sheldon Keefe, made his first-ever trip to Northern Ireland to see the birthday party. "It was amazing,' Keefe shared of his experience. 'It was great to see him in his element and be a part of his testimonial night and his jersey retirement. Just to see how much he is loved in the community and learning and hearing so many stories about what he's brought to them, not just on the hockey side, but even just in the community, all the charitable work he does, especially with the hospitals and hospice.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Искате да научите повече за новото BMW 2 Gran Coupe? BMW Научете повече Undo undefined The special format of a Testimonial Game—a UK hockey tradition—had Adam don the uniform one final time, coaching and playing alongside his former teammates and friends. It also became a family affair, as Sheldon and their dad shared the opposing bench. Although they had concurrent careers in hockey, the Keefe brothers never got to split the ice—one in North America, the other building a legacy in Britain. undefined "I moved away from home around 16 to go play hockey," Keefe said. "He was only 12 years old, so I missed kind of that. And then, as he enters junior hockey, I leave to go pro. Then as he became a pro, I was starting to get into coaching, so I've always kind of missed him, and as a result, haven't been as connected as you'd like to be to your brother and his gave so much to it, but the way that he played the game, he played extremely hard, as tough an individual as you can as you'll ever find. " Now Belfast Giants head coach, Adam Keefe, came to Northern Ireland in 2011 as a hard-nosed forward. He hasn't left since. An integral part of the city's fabric over the years, he's become more than a coach—he's family. Married to a native Belfast woman with two daughters, Adam has established a life and legacy in a city that is foreign soil, gaining respect as much for who he is as for how he coaches. Also read: Seth Jones's silent romance: How the NHL star balances fame and privacy The weekend also raised over £109,000 ($147,000) for Northern Ireland Hospice with the Odyssey Trust charity event—a further example of the tight-knit community Adam has assisted in developing. For Sheldon, the trip was greater than mere family support; it was a reminder of how hockey can cross boundaries. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
Belfast Telegraph
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Great Britain forward ‘proud' to re-join Belfast Giants after signing on for sixth season
The 35-year-old dual-national, who was born in Calgary but represents Great Britain on residency, has been one of the key components of the Giants' dominance under head coach Adam Keefe, winning seven trophies at the SSE Arena. Since joining from the Coventry Blaze in 2019, Lake has been a consistent contributor to the Giants' cause, scoring 90 goals and 232 points in 326 games in teal and assuming the role of alternate captain in his last four seasons. And it was a no-brainer for the Giants to bring him back coming off a season where he scored 13 goals and 32 points in 70 games as they secured an Elite League and Challenge Cup double. As well as that, the former All-Star First Team nominee has made 74 appearances for Great Britain, scoring eight goals and 35 points as well as winning two gold medals in Division 1A of the World Championships and playing in the top tier twice. 'I'm excited to be back with the Giants for another season,' commented Lake. 'It's a great organisation to play for – professionally run, competitive every year, and supported by a passion fanbase. I take a lot of pride in pulling on this jersey and doing whatever I can to help the team be successful and win.' A graduate of Sacred Heart University, where he wore an 'A' in his final season, Lake played two seasons in the ECHL with the Alaska Aces before joining the Blaze in 2017 where he excelled, being named a First Team All-Star in his second season after scoring 38 goals and 82 points in 68 games. That earned him a move to Belfast and since then he has become a mainstay on the roster at the SSE Arena, forming an impressive partnership with winger Mark Cooper that led to the Giants securing the League and Cup double in the 2021/22 season, including scoring the overtime winner in the Cup Final against the Cardiff Devils. He would better that a year later by helping the Giants to the Grand Slam, adding the Play-Off title to their League and Cup defences, and last year he was once again front and centre in picking up another League and Cup double.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Keefe siblings united by hockey despite Atlantic separation
When Adam Keefe signed up to play for the Belfast Giants in 2011, he couldn't have imagined how lifechanging that decision was going to be. He had been hoping to follow in his older brother Sheldon's footsteps and make it to the National Hockey League (NHL), the ultimate goal of every Canadian who laces up the skates. Advertisement Sheldon, four years older than Adam, was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1999 and went on to make his NHL debut the following season, but ultimately his playing career was curtailed because of injury. "It's hard to get to the NHL and I was lucky enough to play at least some exhibition games and play at that level and get a taste of it," said Adam. "Ultimately, I fell short and was getting a little tired. I was getting a little older and I wanted to see the world and experience something new. "With our last name being Keefe, it was always a kind of a bucket list thing to visit the homeland. Advertisement "Finally, the opportunity came through a Facebook message from the coach of the Giants, Doug Christiansen. It was my first chance and I jumped on it. "I thought it would just be a one-year deal and I'd probably go back home and do ultimately what I did here, probably in Toledo." However, the younger Keefe sibling would never make that trip to Toledo. He won Elite League in his first season with the Giants and captained the side to another title victory in 2014. By then he was well established as a leader and a fan favourite, a team-mate that you could rely on to drop the gloves and defend his brothers on the ice. Advertisement Keefe's transition to coach in 2017 was a seamless move for the Giants. It kept the line of succession in place, despite no prior experience in the role. What followed has been the most sustained run of success in the club's twenty-five-year history. Ten trophies - four league championships, five Challenge Cups and a Play-off title - in six full seasons (two were lost due to Covid-19), including a Grand Slam in 2023. "I just fell in love with the city and winning and the fans here. Obviously, I met my wife and have two girls, so I'm locked into Northern Ireland. "It's been a great experience for me and a fun one." Advertisement Giants' fans echo mutual support for 'the heartbeat' of the Belfast side and they recently showed their appreciation at Adam's testimonial when his number 47 shirt was retired, the ultimate honour for a player. 'I wasn't going to mess with him much more' Sheldon made his first trip to Belfast for the event. Since his playing days came to an end, Adam's older brother made his way up through the coaching ranks all the way back to the NHL. He was head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2019-2024 and has just finished his first season in charge of the New Jersey Devils, leading them to the play-offs. Advertisement Sheldon's first impressions of Belfast have been favourable. "I love the city, just walking around and being here in the building and getting a feel for the hockey part of it. "You can see why there's so much passion here for Giants hockey and why Adam fell in love with the city and the team." Growing up together just outside of Toronto, both Keefe brothers were soon on the hockey pathway. "I don't know about brotherly rivalry so much," explained Sheldon. "I mean, there's maybe enough separation with four years that I think I had my way for a lot of the time. Advertisement "But it maybe contributed to some of the edge that he ended up developing in playing. "Certainly, as Adam got older, it was very clear I wasn't going to mess with him much more. "We were playing hockey, fighting in the basement, competing in the driveway and on the street and he quite often was playing with my friends and having to try to compete." Adam agreed, "A lot of times it's him and his friends playing street hockey and you're four years younger than those guys. "You got to work extra hard and sometimes you're going to get knocked down. "So, if you want to stay in there, you got to learn to fight back and I certainly did that. Advertisement "Obviously, he's provided a great example for me and set a very high standard that is difficult to try to keep up with. "He took care of me through critical years when I was a teenager and set me on a good path. "Then to follow his career while I was trying to make the NHL, to follow his coaching career and see that he just kind of kept winning right from the time he started. "Then ultimately to claw his way back to the NHL as a coach becoming one of the youngest coaches in the league and then to coach arguably the biggest hockey club in the world. That's very special." 'His life is all about the hockey' Adam's success as a coach has come as no surprise to Sheldon. In his words, "life's been all about hockey". Advertisement "I think we can both say we would be a little lost without the game. "If I look at my own transition into coaching, when you maybe first get into it, for me, at least, I didn't know what I was doing at all. "But you're relying on your competitiveness, your passion for the game, your work ethic, all the things that help you play at a high level, and that gives you a strong foundation. "I knew Adam was going to commit and be all in on everything that he's doing and while learning and refining any skills that you need as a coach, you're going to have the respect of your players because of everything that you put in to help them and the team. Advertisement "He's been an absolute competitor and a guy that will do anything to win for his entire life." Sheldon has helped Adam out with player recruitment and wouldn't hesitate to recommend Belfast as a playing destination. "I've followed enough to know the standard of the Elite League and that it just continues to improve and get better and better. "Seeing the arena and seeing the city and community, it would be a great draw for players to come and get the life experience but still play great hockey. "As I watch the young kids playing as well, there is lots of excitement about growing the game here too." Advertisement Despite enjoying his Testimonial weekend where the Giants once again gave back to the community raising over £109,000 for the Northern Ireland Hospice, the new season is never far from Adam's mind. "Champions League is right around the corner. "August is going to come around pretty quick, and nobody cares about last year.'
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Keefe siblings united by hockey despite Atlantic separation
When Adam Keefe signed up to play for the Belfast Giants in 2011, he couldn't have imagined how lifechanging that decision was going to had been hoping to follow in his older brother Sheldon's footsteps and make it to the National Hockey League (NHL), the ultimate goal of every Canadian who laces up the four years older than Adam, was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1999 and went on to make his NHL debut the following season, but ultimately his playing career was curtailed because of injury."It's hard to get to the NHL and I was lucky enough to play at least some exhibition games and play at that level and get a taste of it," said Adam."Ultimately, I fell short and was getting a little tired. I was getting a little older and I wanted to see the world and experience something new."With our last name being Keefe, it was always a kind of a bucket list thing to visit the homeland."Finally, the opportunity came through a Facebook message from the coach of the Giants, Doug Christiansen. It was my first chance and I jumped on it."I thought it would just be a one-year deal and I'd probably go back home and do ultimately what I did here, probably in Toledo." However, the younger Keefe sibling would never make that trip to won Elite League in his first season with the Giants and captained the side to another title victory in then he was well established as a leader and a fan favourite, a team-mate that you could rely on to drop the gloves and defend his brothers on the transition to coach in 2017 was a seamless move for the Giants. It kept the line of succession in place, despite no prior experience in the followed has been the most sustained run of success in the club's twenty-five-year trophies - four league championships, five Challenge Cups and a Play-off title - in six full seasons (two were lost due to Covid-19), including a Grand Slam in 2023."I just fell in love with the city and winning and the fans here. Obviously, I met my wife and have two girls, so I'm locked into Northern Ireland."It's been a great experience for me and a fun one."Giants' fans echo mutual support for 'the heartbeat' of the Belfast side and they recently showed their appreciation at Adam's testimonial when his number 47 shirt was retired, the ultimate honour for a player. 'I wasn't going to mess with him much more' Sheldon made his first trip to Belfast for the event. Since his playing days came to an end, Adam's older brother made his way up through the coaching ranks all the way back to the was head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2019-2024 and has just finished his first season in charge of the New Jersey Devils, leading them to the first impressions of Belfast have been favourable."I love the city, just walking around and being here in the building and getting a feel for the hockey part of it."You can see why there's so much passion here for Giants hockey and why Adam fell in love with the city and the team."Growing up together just outside of Toronto, both Keefe brothers were soon on the hockey pathway."I don't know about brotherly rivalry so much," explained Sheldon."I mean, there's maybe enough separation with four years that I think I had my way for a lot of the time."But it maybe contributed to some of the edge that he ended up developing in playing."Certainly, as Adam got older, it was very clear I wasn't going to mess with him much more."We were playing hockey, fighting in the basement, competing in the driveway and on the street and he quite often was playing with my friends and having to try to compete."Adam agreed, "A lot of times it's him and his friends playing street hockey and you're four years younger than those guys."You got to work extra hard and sometimes you're going to get knocked down."So, if you want to stay in there, you got to learn to fight back and I certainly did that."Obviously, he's provided a great example for me and set a very high standard that is difficult to try to keep up with."He took care of me through critical years when I was a teenager and set me on a good path."Then to follow his career while I was trying to make the NHL, to follow his coaching career and see that he just kind of kept winning right from the time he started."Then ultimately to claw his way back to the NHL as a coach becoming one of the youngest coaches in the league and then to coach arguably the biggest hockey club in the world. That's very special." 'His life is all about the hockey' Adam's success as a coach has come as no surprise to Sheldon. In his words, "life's been all about hockey"."I think we can both say we would be a little lost without the game."If I look at my own transition into coaching, when you maybe first get into it, for me, at least, I didn't know what I was doing at all."But you're relying on your competitiveness, your passion for the game, your work ethic, all the things that help you play at a high level, and that gives you a strong foundation."I knew Adam was going to commit and be all in on everything that he's doing and while learning and refining any skills that you need as a coach, you're going to have the respect of your players because of everything that you put in to help them and the team."He's been an absolute competitor and a guy that will do anything to win for his entire life."Sheldon has helped Adam out with player recruitment and wouldn't hesitate to recommend Belfast as a playing destination."I've followed enough to know the standard of the Elite League and that it just continues to improve and get better and better."Seeing the arena and seeing the city and community, it would be a great draw for players to come and get the life experience but still play great hockey."As I watch the young kids playing as well, there is lots of excitement about growing the game here too."Despite enjoying his Testimonial weekend where the Giants once again gave back to the community raising over £109,000 for the Northern Ireland Hospice, the new season is never far from Adam's mind."Champions League is right around the corner."August is going to come around pretty quick, and nobody cares about last year.'
Belfast Telegraph
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Belfast Giants to retire Adam Keefe's #47 jersey: ‘I am truly humbled'
At his testimonial game on Sunday, recognising 14 years of remarkable service to the organisation as a player and a coach, the Giants legend will become only the eighth player in club history to see his jersey raised to the rafters, never to be worn again by another player. It is the highest honour that can be bestowed in hockey and a wholly deserved one for Keefe, the team's most successful coach and an individual who is described as the "heartbeat" of the organisation. Commenting on the retirement of his 47 jersey, Adam Keefe said: 'It's hard to put into words what this means to me. Belfast has become my home, and the Giants have been my life for over a decade. To see my jersey raised to the rafters, in front of my family and friends, and our incredible fans who have supported me all these years before my testimonial, will be truly humbling. I'm very honoured and proud.' Joining the organisation in 2011 as a hard-nosed forward and quickly establishing himself as captain in only his second season in Belfast, Keefe would win two Elite League titles with the Giants as a player but it is as coach that his legacy has been taken to another level. In his seven seasons in charge, Keefe has delivered ten trophies to the Giants out of a possible 19, including the Grand Slam in 2023 as his all-conquering side swept all before them to secure League, Challenge Cup and Play-Off glory. Last season the Brampton, Ontario native led the Giants to their fourth League title under his stewardship, winning a dramatic final day race to clinch the crown, as well as a fifth Cup, and is now preparing to take the team into the Champions League for the fourth time next season. And on Sunday he will be honoured not just with the jersey retirement but with his testimonial game which features a plethora of friends and former team-mates, who will gather at the SSE Arena to celebrate a remarkable career in Belfast. Keefe's name will join a list of legends whose jerseys hang from the bridge already, the likes of Todd Kelman, Colin Shields and Graeme Walton already immortalised - and now the Giants' "heartbeat" joins them. Not just the team's coach, Keefe has now built his life in Northern Ireland having married wife Colleen, with the couple welcoming their daughter Cora in 2021.
