CARDIFF,U.K- The arrival of hometown goaltender Lyle and fast-improving English defensemen Mark Richardson, addressed the Cardiff Devils need to strengthen its core of UK trained players. Likewise, the retention of influential imports like Jay Latulippe and captain Brad Voth, showed the Devils were able to keep hold of its most sought-after players.
Nevertheless, until at least two new high-quality players could be attracted to the franchise, question marks as to whether the Devils were the recruiting force they once were would remain. Those question marks were answered within one week, when fans learned that the Devils’ most potent strike force of recent years would be re-united at Cardiff for the coming season.
Fans were aware that Head Coach Gerad Adams was pursuing a high-caliber centreman and winger for the Devils’ new-look top line, but the announcement that the Elite League’s 2006-07 MVP Mark Smith would play the 2009-10 season in a Devils uniform came as a bolt out of the blue.
The announcement came as a greater surprise given that Adams had told fans just a week earlier that Smith was not attainable at that time. Smith has spent the last two seasons at Ritten in the Italian Serie A. Smith achieved more than a point per game in both seasons recording 40 points (15 goals) from 32 games in 07/08 and 35 points (14 goals) from 30 games in 08/09.
In announcing his new top line centreman Gerad Adams said; “He was keen to see what sort of team we will have for the new season and now he’s convinced we will be challenging right at the top.” One of the reasons the Devils are likely to be challenging at the top is the return of Smith’s line-mate from his season with the Devils in 2006-07. Indeed, return of the man Smith clicked with instantly during his last spell at Cardiff; Kazakhstan born Max Birbraer, could well have been the deciding factor for his return. Although, Birbraer’s commitment to the Devils was announced after Smith’s it is likely both deals were negotiated at the same time, and rested upon each other. With these signings the Devils are getting more than the sum of the parts. They’re getting two players who both enjoyed career seasons during their one and only season as line-mates. It was a partnership that saw Smith become the league ’ s Most Valuable Player, and produced the number one and two scorers on the Devils roster. They enjoyed an Instant chemistry, perhaps only matched in the Elite league era by Coventry Blaze ’ s prolific Dan Carlson and Adam Calder. Aside from his goals, Birbraer brings a proven quality to the Devils roster. He has a wealth of experience at AHL level with over 150 games split between his time at the Albany River Rats and San Antonio Rampage. It’s something few players in the UK Elite League can compare to. There are huge expectations on Smith and Birbraer to provide the game-breaking scoring punch that the Devils lacked last season and which probably cost them more success. However, they enjoyed the help of a strong supporting cast in 2006-07, which will be crucial in 2009-10 as teams will no doubt be looking to shut down Smith and Birbraer from the opening face-off night after night. The signing of Matt Miller as the ‘third cog’ on the Devils’ ‘Big line’ could be the teams’ most crucial signing of the off-season. Miller is a player that can and will contribute on the scoreboard. (He fired-in nine goals in his brief 12 game stint at the Basingstoke Bison last season). But, his role will also be to enable the ‘Dynamic Duo’ to play their best hockey. Known as a fighter for much of his junior and professional career, Miller has a career high of 162 PIMS as a professional. The six foot 190 lbs forward’s fight card shows he’ll take on any player of any size. However, he’s proven both in the CHL and EIHL that when given the opportunity he possesses a scoring touch. The ability to ‘protect’ the Devils’ star forwards, his eye for goal, and renowned skating speed, could make Miller the ideal foil for Smith and Birbraer. With Miller on their line, there is no reason why Smith and Birbraer cannot achieve new career best performances this coming season. If they do, the Devils will have a real chance of winning their first championship of the Elite League era. Contact the author at Aled.lloyd@prohockeynews.com
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