The Belfast Giants are pleased to confirm the return of Associate Coach Jeff Mason and Assistant Coaches George Awada and Rob Stewart ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Having made over 400 appearances for the Giants across eight seasons as a player, Jeff Mason remains one of the most recognisable figures in the club's modern history. After hanging up his skates, he transitioned into coaching and spent three seasons on Adam Keefe’s staff before taking on his first Head Coach role with the Dundee Stars in 2022/23. Mason returned to Belfast a year later, and the 2026/27 season will be his seventh behind the Giants’ bench at The O2 Belfast.
Completing the coaching group are Assistant Coaches George Awada and Rob Stewart, two club stalwarts whose influence stretches far beyond their playing days. Together, the pair made more than 600 appearances in teal before moving into coaching, where they have amassed over 20 years of experience between them. The upcoming campaign will be Awada's fifth season as Assistant Coach, while Stewart enters his 19th year as part of the club’s coaching setup.
Adam Keefe, Head Coach of the Belfast Giants, said: “We’re fortunate to have a coaching group that knows exactly what it means to represent this organisation. Between them, there’s a huge amount of experience, not just in coaching but in understanding the standards and culture that have made the Giants so successful. They’re people I trust completely, and I’m looking forward to working alongside them again this season.”
The full schedule of Elite League and Challenge Cup fixtures is out now. For more information about the Belfast Giants and upcoming games, please click here.
