Published Monday, 26 March 2012
Belfast Giants coach Doug Christiansen celebrates with the Monteith Bowl. (© Michael Cooper)
| • | Fan Favourite
Adam Keefe |
| • | Leading Scorer
Dowd or Peacock (tbc) |
| • | Junior Giant Player of the Year
Robert Dowd |
| • | Community Service Award
Mark Garside |
| • | Unsung Hero
Nick Kuiper |
| • | Giants Service Award
Lynne Allsopp |
| • | Volunteer of the Year
Michael Barr |
| • | Player’s Player of the Year
Stephen Murphy |
| • | Coach’s Player of the Year
Aaron Clarke |
| • | Defenseman of the Year
Jeff Mason |
| • | Forward of the Year
Robert Dowd |
| • | MVP
Stephen Murphy |
The contract announcement was made at the annual end-of-season awards event on Sunday night.
Christiansen, who was named at the start of the year as assistant to Team GB's Tony Hand, has already served two years with the Belfast side - leading them to this year's Elite League title.
"Doug prepares our guys to win every night and I know he will continue to grow as a coach here in Belfast," General Manager Todd Kelman said, describing him as "the best coach in the league in the last two seasons".
Kelman added: "Doug has done a tremendous job here over the past two seasons - this year he has faced a great deal of adversity, with players being injured or leaving the team unexpectedly, and he has found the guys to replace those players and ensured they fit into the team.
"I'm glad to have him back for another two years."
The Giants ran out clear league winners, topping the table with 95 points - 11 points clear of nearest rivals the Sheffield Steelers, with the third-placed Nottingham Panthers another four points behind them on 80.
While the regular season may be over, there is no rest yet for the newly crowned champions though as the playoffs now beckon next weekend.