The news on the Belfast Giants’ social media platforms that netminder Alexis Gravel had departed the club has been followed with confirmation that the title chasers have signed 35-year-old Italian netminder Alex Caffi for the remainder of the 2025/26 season.

From Varese in Northern Italy, the Italian Austrian dual-national joins the Giants from Pioneers Vorarlberg of the Austrian ICEHL, where he made over 95 appearances between 2022 and 2026. Prior to joining the Pioneers, Caffi iced for teams across Switzerland, Italy, and the United States, including HC Lugano, HC Ceresio, Milano Rossoblu, VEU Feldkirch, and the Mississippi RiverKings.

Adam Keefe, head voach of the Belfast Giants, said: “Throughout his career, Alex has gained a lot of invaluable experience across some great teams and leagues, and has proven himself to be a reliable, well-rounded netminder.

“Alex joins us at a critical point in the season where we need as many healthy bodies and as much roster depth as possible, so to bring in a player of Alex’s pedigree is a big boost.”

placeholder image — Giants have netted Italian goalie Alex Cafii for remainder of 2025/26 season. Picture: Pioneers Vorarlberg

Caffi also boasts international experience, having made 10 appearances for the Italian national team between 2014 and 2019, including the 2014 IIHF World Championship.

Commenting on joining the Belfast Giants, Alex Caffi said: “I’m really excited to be joining the Giants family. I’m looking forward to getting to Belfast, meeting the fans, and helping the Departing Giants’ netminder Gravel gave nothing away that he was leaving the club when he spoke in a post game interview in Kirkcaldy on Sunday night when he was named at the Giants’ player of the game in the 3-0 win against the Fife Flyers.

Speaking on Sunday, Gravel said: “I think we didn’t start particularly well, Fife were really buzzing around, but we found a way. That’s what championship teams do, and we got it done.

Gravel added added: “It’s my first shutout of the season, so it felt good to get that one. The guys played really well in front of me.”

“We’ve been together since 5 August, and I think we’re ready to go on a roll,” concluded Gravel.

“It’s tough to win three trophies, but we’ll take it one game at a time.”

The Giants kickstart a big week of home fixtures on Wednesday 4 March, taking on the Coventry Blaze in the rearranged second leg of the Challenge Cup semi-final.

Adam Keefe’s side then welcome the Cardiff Devils to The SSE Arena, Belfast for a big double-header weekend on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March. Limited tickets remain for these three fixtures.