It’s exciting moving to a new city for your first professional ice hockey deal — there’s new sights, new sounds, new team-mates, new systems and a new style to get used to.
For Zak Galambos, the first month of his time in Belfast was spent camped in his apartment playing Rainbow Six Siege with some of his former college buddies from Western Michigan.
“I was going crazy,” admits the American defenceman.
Of course, this wasn’t laziness on Galambos’ part, rather it was the unfortunate result of him picking up a small hernia injury in a practice scrimmage that ruled him out of the first 10 weeks of the season.
It meant that rather than making his professional debut straight away, the 27-year-old was house-bound for around a month before finally being able to even see around the city let alone get back to skating and working out in the gym.
But after a long wait, Galambos was in a Giants jersey at the weekend and finally made his debut against the Manchester Storm, as well as playing the day after in Sheffield, and it couldn’t have come around soon enough.
“The start of the season for me wasn’t what I was expecting. It was a long time coming and it was really exciting. I’d been gone for so long and it was something I couldn’t wait to do,” beams the California native.
“There were a little bit of nerves but once you get the two or three shifts under you, you’re just out there playing hockey again.
“Manchester I felt like I was having to mesh with the guys a bit, trying to get back into it and find that chemistry again. That was the harder day. Sunday was a lot better, even with the result. I felt like I could make a few more plays.
“But it was really frustrating getting injured so early in the season. I was training all summer, came into training camp and you kind of get set back. All you can do is try and find the positives in it and that’s what I’m trying to do — move forward and try to get better every day.
“There’s more to come. All I can do is keep getting better from here.”
The Giants are in Glasgow on Wednesday night for another pivotal Challenge Cup tie against the Clan (7.30pm) knowing they need just three points from their final two group games — they finish their preliminary campaign at home to Fife on Saturday — to clinch top seeding for the knockouts, as well as trying to shake off Sunday’s frustrating 5-2 loss to Sheffield in the Elite League.
For Galambos, though, he’s got his own targets to hit and he’s eager to build up a run of games in a teal jersey now he’s back from injury.
“I did set goals right at the start of the season and they haven’t really changed,” admits the Giants rookie.
“Right now, for me, it’s about getting back into things, getting that confidence back up again and then I can focus on my goals again.”