The off-season tends to go by quicker and quicker every summer and already the Belfast Giants have a week of training camp under their belts.
Adam Keefe’s side are looking to exorcise the demons of what was a surprising trophy-less season last time out — a first under their most successful head coach — and in the blink of an eye that starts with a pre-season clash against the Cardiff Devils in exactly a week’s time.
But for defenceman Zak Galambos, this season in particular has been a long time in coming as he finally steps into the professional ranks for the first time at the age of 27.
It is rare for a player to step out of college that old, the Californian spending five years across Minnesota State, American International College and Western Michigan with a transfer year thrown in there, too, but Galambos believes it is the right time to make that transition.
And armed with the knowledge that he was wanted by the Giants before this season, making his decision to move to the SSE Arena this summer all the easier, he’s eager to get stuck into the full-time game this year.
“I had coach Keefe reach out to me the year before and instead of going pro I went back to finish my Masters,” explains Galambos.
“This year I didn’t get the bites I wanted in America and I didn’t want to chase something that wasn’t there, so I reached back out to coach Keefe and that led to here.
“I know I’m a little older than most college graduates, so I want to get the most out of Europe. I want to play great places, play great hockey and see the world. This has been a long time coming for me and I’m ready to go.”
Although his offensive numbers jump off the page, Galambos joining the Giants after racking up 25 goals and 79 points in 113 games for Western Michigan, the defenceman is prouder of his defensive improvements since joining the Broncos in 2022.
“When I talked to coach Keefe, he explained the Giants’ style to me and I thought it would really suit me,” continues the NCAA First Team All-Star.
“During my time at Western Michigan the coaches really worked with me on the defensive side of my game and I think now I’d call myself a really good two-way defenceman that can be both an offensive contributor but also a shut-down guy.
“I want to do whatever I can, be the best version of myself, to help the team win. I don’t really think about myself, I set that aside to help the team win.
“No-one wants to lose and winning is definitely the more fun thing. I hope that’s what we do this year.”