MIKE LEE RETURNS FOR THIRD SEASON WITH BELFAST GIANTS

The Belfast Giants are pleased to announce the return of 30-year-old defenceman Mike Lee for the 2026/27 season.

Voted the 2025/26 defenceman of the year, fans’ favourite, players’ player, and MVP, the Connecticut native returns as a Giant for the third consecutive season. Having first arrived in Belfast ahead of the 2024/25 season, Lee has recorded an impressive 111 total points in 131 games in all competitions, 69 of which came during a standout 2025/26 campaign for the American.

Adam Keefe, Head Coach of the Belfast Giants, said: “Without question, Mike was a standout player for us last season. He led from the front week after week and came up with some big moments when it mattered most. In his two seasons in Belfast, Mike has just got better and better, and he was our MVP last season for a reason. Getting Mike back is the perfect way to start off our defensive core.”

Before beginning his professional career, Lee played two seasons of NCAA hockey with Sacred Heart University, notching 52 total points in 68 appearances for the Pioneers. Between 2020 and 2022, Lee spent time with the ECHL’s Indy Fuel and Kansas City Mavericks and the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL, making more than 100 appearances over two seasons.

Lee’s first experience of European hockey came with HC Nové Zámky in the Slovakian Slovenská hokejová liga, where he made over 90 appearances and scored 64 total points in two seasons. Since arriving in Belfast, Lee has been an ever-present figure on the Giants’ blue line, becoming notorious for finding the back of the net in crucial games.

Commenting on re-signing with the Belfast Giants, Mike Lee said: “I’m super excited to have re-signed with Belfast. The success that we achieved over the last two seasons is something that’s driven me to want to come back to this winning organisation and be part of a winning culture. I can’t wait to get back to Belfast and play in front of the best fans in the Elite League. See you soon, Teal Army.”

2026/27 Belfast Giants season tickets are on sale for a limited time only, with the full schedule of Elite League and Challenge Cup fixtures expected soon. For more information or to secure your seat ahead of the new campaign, click here.