Doug Christiansen agrees new two-year deal with Belfast Giants

Belfast Giants coach Doug Christiansen's reward for guiding the team to this season's Elite League title is a new two-year contract.

Christiansen's contract extension was announced at the Belfast Giants' annual awards winner on Sunday night.

Netminder Stephen Murphy was named the players' player of the year and the most valuable player of the year at the awards night.

Robert Dowd and Jeff Mason picked up the forward and defenceman awards.

Scottish keeper Murphy is widely acknowledged to be the best in the Elite League and Giants general manager Todd Kelman said that his performances defied those who said it was impossible to win the title "with a British keeper".

Kelman described the current Giants line-up as the best team in the club's history.

This season's Giants can boast of the league's best ever away record as well as the meanest defence and won the Elite League after finishing eleven points clear of their nearest challengers.

Their eyes are now on the final prize of the campaign as they aim to add victory at the end of season play-offs to the league title.