The Belfast Giants have announced the signing of ex NHL netminder Tom McCollum. McCollum has played in some very good leagues across his career with the American having spells in Germany and Austria. If the Giants are to have success this season, McCollum will no doubt have a big part to play in their success. The former Calder Cup champion will play alongside Jackson Whistle as they battle it out for a starting spot in the SSE Arena.
During the 2023/2024 campaign, McCollum played for Eisbären Regensburg in the DEL2. He played 41 times there registering a save percentage of .923% and a goals against average of 2.55. These numbers are very impressive for the 34 year old and it is a sign of what Giants fans can expect heading into the 24/25 season. McCollum plays a very energetic game as his presence controls his crease very well. Standing at 6’2” with no skates, McCollum is a demanding figure in the blue paint and he isn’t afraid to shove guys out of it if required to. For a tall player, McCollum's reaction time and reflexes are very impressive with the netminder having a history of making sequences of impressive saves. From post to post, McCollum has total control over his net and even backstopped a famous win for the Detroit Red Wings (NHL) vs the Buffalo Sabres. McCollum played around half of the game as the Red Wings won 6-4.
McCollum will have heavy competition for the starting spot at the Giants as Adam Keefe has already signed British netminder Jackson Whistle for the upcoming season. With Whistle having experience of playing the EIHL and IIHF world championships, Keefe has a plethora of experience to pick from when choosing his match night roster. For the past 2 seasons, the Giants have run both Whistle and import Tyler Beskorowany. The two netminders played split games with Adam Keefe rotating his starter. In the past Whistle has had hip problems meaning he struggles to play back to back games. This will probably be a similar situation to what happens this season between McCollum and Whistle as both players are capable of starting in the EIHL. Keefe will no doubt play both keepers over a double weekend with rest being necessary especially over the busy Christmas period.
Across the league there are some great netminders such as returning Devil Mac Carruth and Fife’s own Shane Owen. This will be some great competition for McCollum who will be a pivotal part in the Giants set up. Closest in comparison to McCollum is the Devils’ Mac Carruth. The battles between Cardiff and Belfast will be intense with these two netminders between the pipes as they both promise to be sensational in the big games.
The signing of Tom McCollum is a significant boost for the Belfast Giants as they prepare for the 2024/2025 season. McCollum steps in to replace Tyler Beskorowany, bringing his extensive experience in top leagues and a proven track record, including a stint in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings. McCollum's presence in the crease will be crucial as the Giants aim for success this season. With impressive stats from his recent season in the DEL2, McCollum's ability to perform at a high level is evident. His competition with Jackson Whistle for the starting spot will elevate the Giants' goaltending, ensuring they have a reliable last line of defence. As the team faces tough competition from other top netminders in the league, McCollum's addition could be the difference-maker in critical matchups, especially against rivals like the Cardiff Devils. Replacing a stalwart like Beskorowany is no easy task, but McCollum's skill, leadership, and energetic playstyle make him well-suited for the challenge. Giants fans have much to look forward to as McCollum dons the teal and white, aiming to backstop Belfast to glory.
Author of Article: Will Harris
Editor: Calan Yule
Proofread By: Calan Yule
© EIHL News Central
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