Daddy’s girl: A bundle of joy for Belfast Giants coach Adam
BELFAST Giants head coach Adam Keefe has admitted his view on the last year has changed after an addition to his family this week.
Daughter Cora was born on Wednesday night to Adam and wife Colleen, weighing in at 9lbs 3oz.
The Canadian moved to Belfast in 2011 to play for the team, initially only for one year, but stayed on and became head coach in 2017. He married local girl Colleen in 2018.
The proud first-time father says he is thrilled.
“It’s been a whirlwind first few days here. My wife did all the hard work and I’m so super proud of her and the work she did to bring home a happy, healthy baby for us,” said Keefe, who added that both mother and baby were doing very well.
“I’m still lost for words and I’m pretty tired. For the tough year we had in 2020, this was an amazing bonus to find out Colleen was pregnant and to go through that whole process during lockdown and the pandemic.
“It was tricky because you want to be careful not to bring home the virus, so we were shielding to protect the baby. But it also allowed us to relax and enjoy the whole process as well. It was certainly something to occupy our time during all these lockdowns!
“I’ll be home for these initial first few weeks when it’ll be toughest on my wife, so I’ll be able to help and take in all these special moments, instead of having to prepare for games and travel for games, which is great.”
He revealed Cora was watching her first hockey match at just one-day-old.
With no Giants games due to their season being cancelled, Keefe has been helping his brother Sheldon, head coach of the NHL’S Toronto Maple Leafs, — and he had a little assistant coach on Thursday night.
“It’s been a fun few days, even the sleepless nights,” he added.
“I watched my first Leafs game with my daughter sleeping on my chest on Thursday night.
“One day from birth she’s watching hockey.”