Giants fans have Jeff Baum to thank for Pearson signing for Belfast

Pearson admits that he hadn’t heard much about the team or indeed the city before he was approached but that Baum, who spent several years as a Giant and enjoyed a great deal of success, persuaded his Idaho Steelheads teammate that he should become a Giant.

Pearson played 58 with the Steelheads with 28 goals and 19 assists last season, a pretty decent record.

Pearson said: “It is something new and I have never really been over the pond.”

He added: “It has been good so far. The guys have been good and the city has been unreal just like the fans at the games so far too.

“I think it is something special that I and going to take with me this year for sure.”

He says Baum was helpful in him making the decision to move to Belfast.

He said: “I honestly hadn’t heard to much about Belfast and the Giants. But I played with Jeff last season in Idaho.

“So I was able to pick his brain a little bit when Keefer reached out to me,

“He told me that he had loved his time here in the city and that I would love it over here.

“He had nothing but positive things to say about Belfast and the Giants, so it helped me make my decision to join this season.”

Pearson admits that playing ice hockey in the UK league is somewhat different to what he has experienced back home in North America.

Pearson remarked: “It’s obviously a little different what with the bigger ice.

“But when it all comes down to it, it is all the same same kind of hockey.

“Keefer has been good in hammering down the important points in the UK league that us new players needs to learn and adapt too.

“I am trying to take it everything and learn as much from his as I can. And that also goes for the other guys too.”

Pearson agrees that there is a lot of experience in the Giants’ locker room this season.

“There’s a lot of experience in the locker room who have welcomed the new guys on to the team

“They bring a lot of experience and knowledge which they are handing on to the new guys which is very beneficial for you guys.

“We have got a winning team. So it’s important, I think, for the new guys to see how the older guys and the experience they carry.

“They have been there and done it, game-by-game. Taking a little of that knowledge from them, how they prepare, how they perform in the games, will keeping this legacy going.”

Pearson says that he has been pleased with how season has started for the Giants, both pre-season and competitive Challenge Cup games.

He said: “I had a good start in pre-season and everything and getting to know what role I will play on the team. Hopefully we can keep it going.”

He says getting early goals and assists in a season help settle any nerves.

“I am just looking to take a kind of game-by-game. Yes I would like to score every game and help the team as much as I can.

“But it is not always going to be like that. So figuring out ways when I might not be producing goals as to how I can help the team win, will also be important in the season ahead.”

Asked if he can identify the strengths that he foresees bringing to the Giants’ squad this season Pearson said: “I think my game is as a pretty direct power forward kind of game.

“I think my biggest asset is my shot. I like to shoot the puck and I like to put in the net.

“I think that is what kind of drives me and I think a lot of my game is focused on offence.”

He added: “I will be trying to bring that every game. But if teams are trying to shut me down, I will try to find different ways that I can contribute, if that’s finishing my checks getting on the forecheck hard or just playing a fast-paced game.”

Pearson says that coach Keefe has been impressing on the team importance on securing Challenge Cup points ahead of the next round of games.

Pearson said: “We are going to try and win every game that we can. If we can keep winning, keep building we will find a bit of swagger and some mojo.

“That will also be good to have when we move into the regular season games too.

“Yes, you might slip up at times but I think it’s the way that we bounce back will be the most important of our game.”

The Belfast Giants host the Dundee Stars on Sunday at 5pm at the O2 Arena.