Paul Adey will not return behind the bench next season for the Stena Line Belfast Giants. Adey and General Manager Todd Kelman failed to come to an agreement for next season and mutually decided to part ways.

“Paul has done a great job for us this year. He won a league title and advanced to the finals for the other 2 major titles,” said Kelman.

Adey led the Giants to the Elite League title for the second time in three seasons. He also advanced to the final of the Challenge Cup and ended his season with the overtime loss in the Playoff Championship game last Sunday against the Sheffield Steelers.

Adey was named the seventh head coach in franchise history just 12 months ago. His efforts this season saw him deservedly named “Coach of the Year” by both the Elite League and the UK Ice Hockey Journalists.

“On behalf of the Belfast Giants players and staff and the entire organisation that we are a part of, I want to thank him for his work and for playing a big part in what we accomplished together as a team this past season. I wish him well for wherever he ends up next season,” concluded Kelman.

For the Giants, the search for a new head coach starts immediately.