Campbell season over

CARDIFF,U.K-Hard-hitting forward Derek Campbell has played his last game for the Cardiff Devils this season. The Devils ‘sparkplug’ suffered a lower body injury at Coventry Blaze on December 27, which has cost him the chance of a career season and the Devils of a key cog in their machinery. Club doctors have advised the Devils that Campbell will be out for roughly three months and while there is a slim chance he could make the post-season, head Coach Gerad Adams has elected to de-register Campbell and bring in a replacement.
Elite League clubs are limited to 11 imports meaning players with long or medium term injuries are often de-registered to enable teams to ice the maximum level of players from outside the UK. With two pieces of silverware still up for grabs, and momentum heading into the playoffs vital, Adams had little choice, but to bring in a replacement for Campbell.
“Campbell will be out between two and three months and as we’ll be just at the end of the season then, we had to take a view.We’ll make sure we do all we can to help Derek.” Adams said
Campbell has led the Devils powerful fore-checking game this season, building on the reputation he developed at rivals Basingstoke Bison last season as the hardest hitter in the Elite League. Campbell has also notched impressive numbers this season with 27 points (14 goals) in just 30 games and looked set to record a career season.
While his loss is a disappointing blow, fans can take heart that this looks unlikely to be the end of Derek Campbell’s career in a Devils uniform providing an agreement can be reached between the club and player. “Campbell has done a good job for the Devils and there is no doubt that if things work out I would be interested in bringing him back next season.” Adams said
Fans can now turn their attention to the prospect of a new player coming into the line-up and all the excitement and expectation that brings. The signing deadline at the end of January is fast approaching and Adams has admitted he needs to act quickly.
“I have identified several players who fit the bill and they come from far and wide. A couple of names have been thrown around as to who we might be looking at but I’ll wait until I have a contract signed before making any comment.” Adams said Contact the author at Aled.lloyd@prohockeynews.com