Liam Reddox joins the Belfast Giants and becomes the 21st and final piece in the jigsaw put together by Adam Keefe and Steve Thornton as they move to both defend their place atop the EIHL and make moves into the Europe with the Champions Hockey League.
The 33 year old forward from Whitby Ontario brings a wealth of experience to the Giants that includes 100 games in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, almost 200 AHL game and, most recently 8 years with SHL’s Vaxjo Lakers, four as captain, collecting two SHL championships.
A dual-national, Reddox carries a UK passport, his father is Scottish, his mother from Southend on the English coast, and will no doubt have an eye on Team GB’s place in the World Championship. But speaking to AVFTB’s Patrick Smyth he assured that primarily his focus is bringing silverware to Belfast.
Drafted tp the NHL in the fourth round, Reddox’s Junior career was with the Peterborough Petes, where he helped bring the OHL title, the last trophy won at the PMC. He then started his professional career at Stockton Thunder, before four seasons in the Oliers programme bouncing between Edmonton and the Springfield Falcons in the AHL.
After this time, Reddox felt he needed stability, 4 years bouncing between Edmonton and Springfield taking its toll he made the jump to the SHL with Vaxjo where he remained for 8 years.
With the Giants undertaking European competition this season, Reddox comes as one of the most experienced CHL players now in the EIHL, leading his Lakers team to the Semi Finals in 2017 and then onto the CHL final in 2018.
He joins a now complete Belfast Giants roster preparing to retain the EIHL, Challenge Cup and Erhardt Conference titles that marked one of the most successful season’s in the clubs history.
A tough act to follow, but a roster with the potential to surpass it.
And a final marquee singing in Reddox is a large signal of intent. Let the games begin.
Bout ye, Liam.