CARDIFF, UK – The Cardiff Devils have begun the 09/10 Elite League season with higher expectations than in recent years. Since taking control of the club at the start of the 08/09 off-season, owner Matt Burge has set about restoring Wales’ only professional hockey club to its former glory. By mending old relationships and building new ones, Burge and his team of ‘Next Generation Devils’ have brought a much-needed stability back to the franchise, but also restored the city’s pride in a club which brought home numerous championship honours to the city of Cardiff in its hay day. However, with new found stability comes an increased expectation. Fans are no-longer worried about whether they will have a hockey team to watch this season, but how many championships the class of 09/10 can win. Coach Gerad Adams has done nothing to quell those expectations by enjoying a hugely successful recruitment drive in the off-season. Make no mistake about it; the 09/10 Devils are expected to seriously challenge for honours this season and once again compete with UK hockey’s ‘big boys.’ In the first of a two-part feature, here’s the player-by-player lowdown on the men charged with that task, starting with the defensive unit; Stevie Lyle Arguably the biggest coup of the Devils’ off-season, the return of Stevie Lyle to his hometown club after 6 years, sees him embark on his eighth season in a Devils uniform. Lyle has won championships at Cardiff and has continued to prove his winning pedigree, most recently leading the Devils’ Elite League rivals Belfast Giants to two trophies last season. As one of only two UK trained goalies able to provide import standard goaltending, the acquisition of Lyle has allowed the Devils to achieve a depth to their roster not seen for years. Mike Brabon Brabon signs with the Devils on a two-way contract with the franchise’s farm team of the same name. In a league where first choice goaltenders play if fit, Brabon will start for the farm team unless Lyle suffers an injury. Wes Jarvis In the absence of talismanic defensemen Tyson Teplitsky, Wes Jarvis will hope to build further on his outstanding 08/09 season to fill that void. Jarvis was a key part of a Devils defensive core which boasted the second best defensive record in last year’s Elite League. Jarvis led all Devils defensemen in scoring last season with 18 goals, proving himself to be a strong two-way player, Jarvis will be counting on the quality that saw him drafted 46th overall in the 1997 NHL entry draft to at least equal his offensive production last season. Jarvis also proved himself to be more than capable with the gloves off and may need his 6’4 230lbs frame to step up again this season in the absence of Doug MacIver on the Devils blue line. Mike Hartwick Another defenseman who will need to step up the physical play is former Ivy Leaguer Mike Hartwick. Hartwick also returns for his second season with the Devils after an impressive debut in UK hockey. Hartwick puts his defensive responsibilities first and will be a crucial cog in the Devils penalty kill, making life as easy as possible for Stevie Lyle in goal. A tri-athlete in his spare time, Hartwick will be a workhorse defensively for the Devils and Coach Adams will be hoping Hartwick uses his 6’3 216lbs frame to full effect in the Devils zone this season. Mark Richardson English defenseman Mark Richardson has enjoyed a rapid escalation since converting from centre to defence mid-way through last season. So much so, that he’s arguably team GB’s number 2 defenseman. Richardson will bring the offensive capabilities of a former centreman to play a crucial role in the Devils transition game, but will also remain reliable defensively. Richardson will be a more than capable option to quarterback the powerplay. Scott Romfo Romfo is the direct replacement for Tyson Teplitsky, the Devils star defenseman over the past three seasons. While Romfo will do well to equal Teplitsky’s points production, he’s an equally strong skater, passer and puck-carrier and will provide the main link between defense and attack in Teplitsky’s absence. Romfo will also likely take a lead in quarter-backing the Devils powerplay. Defensively, he’ll likely bring a good level of physicality. Crucially, Romfo is a proven winner having won the coveted Kelly Cup with South Carolina Stingrays last season. Jason Stone Welshman Jason Stone will begin his 21st season as a pro hockey player this September. Incredibly it’s his 20th season at the Cardiff Devils, a time-span which has seen him make over 1000 appearances for his home-town club. Stone, a 6 foot, 210lbs stay at home D man has also been awarded a testimonial season for his commitment to the Devils franchise. Contact the author aled.lloyd@prohockeynews.com
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