2024 Kelly Cup winner Bobo Carpenter is heading overseas to play for the Belfast Giants (EIHL) in the United Kingdom. Carpenter, who recently led the Florida Everblades to a third consecutive Kelly Cup, was an alternate captain last season. The 27-year-old collected 46 points in the regular season and topped all Florida skaters with 23 points and 12 goals during the team’s extended playoff run. He previously played four years in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals and Bridgeport Sound Tigers after playing four years at Boston University, where he won the Hockey East Championship in 2018.

Bobo’s father, Bobby, was a standout forward who played in the NHL for 18 years. He is best known for being the first American player to score 50 goals in a season. During his career, he won a Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 1995. During his 18 years in the NHL, he developed from a goal scorer to one of the best defensemen in the league.

Earlier this summer, the Cincinnati Cyclones signed forwards Bobo Carpenter and Zach Tsekos from the Florida Everblades to complete the trade that sent Zack Andrusiak to Florida at the trade deadline. This is a bust for the Cyclones, but I didn’t expect him to end up in Cincinnati next season, given that he’s already won a Kelly Cup and the pay is better overseas. Read what Giants head coach Adam Keefe thinks about the signing below:

“Bobo is a winner and comes from a great hockey family. He just won the ECHL Championship where he was the leading scorer in both the league and the playoffs for Florida. He has a great shot and is not afraid to do whatever it takes to win. Bobo’s work ethic will make him a fan favorite here in Belfast. We are excited to have him with us.”

Comments from head coach Adam Keefe on the signing of Bobo