Belfast Giants head coach Adam Keefe has been short-listed for the European Coach of the Year award.
The nomination for the award, organised by the Alliance of European Hockey Clubs, comes after Keefe led the Giants to the Elite League and Challenge Cup in 2018/19.
Voting has already started for the award online via the Euro Hockey Clubs website - www.eurohockeyclubs.com with the winner will be announced in Prague, Czech Republic, on June 11.
Keefe, who is also assistant coach for the Great Britain team playing in the top flight of world ice hockey for the first time since 1994, is up against the following contenders:
- Pavel Gross (Mannheim, DEL) – In first season, turned underachiever to winner, DEL + playoffs
- Kari Jalonen (Bern, NLA) – Second title in three years, brought stability to up-and-down club
- Antti Pennanen (HPK, Liiga) – Wins title with low-budget team and players rejected by other clubs
- Roger Rönnberg (Frölunda, SHL) – Top in Sweden, top in Europe – the perfect season
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"Thank you to the Alliance of European Hockey Clubs for recognising our achievements in 2018/19," Keefe said.
"The team were outstanding all season long and I was thrilled they made it a special year by winning two championships.
"The Giants fans were superb in their support of the team last season and we cannot wait to get going in 2019/20 - our 20th anniversary season.”
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