Todd Kelman to bring Cardiff to Belfast for pre-season game

Todd Kelman has been at the Belfast Giants since the birth of the club in 2000

Todd Kelman will make an early return to the Odyssey Arena when Cardiff Devils face the Belfast Giants in a pre-season game on 30 August.

Kelman stepped down as Giants general manager last month to take a similar role with the Welsh club.

After the 30 August game in Belfast, the Giants will travel to Wales for a return game 24 hours later.

The Belfast team will begin their Elite League title defence a week later on Friday, 5 September.

"I am pleased that we are opening our pre-season schedule against Cardiff," said Steve Thornton, Belfast Giants head of Hockey Operations.

"Todd and Andrew Lord are putting together a strong Devils team and I'm sure that they will be battling with us for the Elite League title all season long.

"These games will provide our team with a tough challenge early on as well as giving our fans a first look at the 2014-15 team in action.

"As far as I am concerned, all spots on the team will be up for grabs and I expect the 2014-15 Giants will be taking to the ice in these games wanting to set down an early marker and impress."

Belfast's Elite League fixtures are scheduled to be announced on Tuesday morning.