CARDIFF, UK – As the Elite League season draws close, Pro Hockey News takes a look at the clubs involved starting in the Welsh capital Cardiff, with the Cardiff Devils. One of the longest standing clubs in the top flight of UK hockey, the Devils stretch back to 1986 where they started life in the Wales National Ice Rink, 24 years later they are amongst the most decorated clubs in the sport.
Now playing out of the Cardiff Ice Arena in Cardiff Bay after the Wales National Ice Rink was demolished to make way for the St. David’s II development in the City Centre, the team has steadily increased attendances after an initial dip from the venue move.
A strong management team is headed by communications magnate Matt Burge whilst former players Brent Pope and Shannon Hope feature behind the scenes. So how did they do in 2009/10? A strong showing off the ice as attendances rose, the year was fair on the ice by the Devils historic standards culminating in an appearance in the Playoff Final, eventually losing out to the Belfast Giants but dropping the league winning Coventry Blaze in the Semi Finals.
The Coach?
Gerard Adams returns as head coach returns for a 5th season leading the Cardiff Devils. The former Sheffield Steelers defenceman will also lace up his skates to take advantage of the extra import slot allowed by the Elite League this season.
In 3 and a half seasons, Adams has coached 218 games with a 53.67% win percentage.
Coach Gerad Adams (Photo Cardiff Devils)
The Goaltenders?
Cardiff Devils have got the most depth of any Elite League team at goaltender, going for an all British line up, spreading five British goaltenders amongst their Elite League, ENL1 and ENL2 teams.
30 – Joseph Myers 09-10 Club: Romford Raiders, English Premier League. 09-10 Stats: P35 GAA 5.88 SVV .861 Career Stats: Elite League: P18 GAA 3.53 SVV .872 English PL: P55 GAA 5.88 SVV .861 English NL1: P3 GAA 3.00 SVV .889 23 year old Myers returns to his home town Cardiff Devils as the recognised full time back up netminder to starter, Stevie Lyle. For many years regarded as a top prospect, Myers is no stranger to the Devils bench having spent three seasons with the Devils before leaving for the EPL last year. Splitting the year between basement club Romford Raiders and Slough Jets, Myers acquitted himself well between the pipes despite low stats which can be partly explained due to the quality of defence infront of the young netminder. Undoubtedly Myers will have benefited from a year of playing week in week out, and splitting this year between the Elite League and English National League side he is sure to continue to improve. If the Devils need to call upon a goaltender to start for a longer period of time, look for them to look elsewhere in their deep ranks at this position. 33 – Stevie Lyle 09-10 Club: Cardiff Devils, Elite League 09-10 Stats: P56 GAA 2.66 SVV .909 Career Stats: Elite League: P159 GAA 2.75 SVV .906 Great Britain: P29 GAA 2.91 SVV .903 France Magnus: P26 GAA 2.52 SVV. .919 Italy Serie A: P37 GAA 2.80 SVV .900 British NL : P103 GAA 2.44 SVV .918 Superleague: P148 GAA 2.75 SVV .909 Ontario HL : P6 GAA 4.16 SVV .872 British HL1 : P40 GAA 3.88 SVV .885 GB Under 20: P4 GAA 4.00 SVV .899 Great Britain International goaltender Stevie Lyle will start the season as starting netminder for his hometown Cardiff Devils for a 3rd consecutive season.
Stevie Lyle (Photo Jessica Roberts)
Don’t expect to see Crisp between the sticks for the Devils too many times next season but it does provide another option for the team with Elite League experience. 41 – Martin Clarkson 09-10 Club: Hobart College (NCAA) 09-10 Stats: P1 GAA 9.03 SVV .692 Career Stats: NCAA: P1 GAA 9.03 SVV .692 AJHL : P51 GAA 2.27 SVV .921 21 year old Clarkson will ice full time for the Telford Tigers in the English Premier League as starting netminder but has been secured on a two-way contract with the Devils. A Cardiff native, Clarkson will be the netminder of choice to call upon should Lyle suffer a major injury during the season and will also train with the Devils on a regular basis. Long regarded along with Nathan Craze as amongst the finest prospects in British goaltending, Clarkson has spent much of the last few years playing in the USA in the development leagues. This will certainly not have hurt his game and he is expected to make an impact in the EPL this year.
Not expected to feature in many games for the Devils unless Lyle goes down injured, Clarkson is a future starting netminder for the Devils. PHN Verdict: With the deepest goaltending lines of any club, the Devils are best equipped in the case of an injury to their starting netminder. That said, whilst Lyle is unlikely to top the standings, he gives the Devils a shot at winning every night and that vital extra skater. The defence?
3 – Alex Symonds 09-10 Club: Cardiff Devils 09-10 Stats: P42 0+3=3 PIM 18 Career Stats: Elite League: P131 1+6=7 PIM 96 English PL : P64 2+15=17 PIM 82 English NL : P30 1+4=5 PIM 44 GB U20 : P5 0+0=0 PIM 2 Capped 5 times at Great Britain Under 20 level, 22 year old Symonds is another product of the Cardiff Devils junior system. The Newport native is yet another player donning the Devils jersey for his local club. A much more developed player since he went away for spells in the EPL with Telford Tigers, Swindon Wildcats and Peterborough Phantoms Symonds is now a serviceable 6th defenceman, allowing coach Adams to roll 3 lines of D almost uniquely in a league that will often have only 5 recognised defencemen. Symonds is unlikely to trouble the scorers but will do a steady job for the shifts he gets in a game and contribute well to a firm Devils back line. 5 – Mark Smith 09-10 Club: Edinburgh Capitals 09-10 Stats: P56 6+19=25 PIM 42 Career Stats: Elite League: P56 6+19=25 PIM 42 Central HL : P43 3+13=16 PIM 61 ECHL : P59 6+9= 15 PIM 41 NCAA : P129 16+31=47 PIM 105 AJHL : P54 9+23=32 PIM 41 27 year old Smith comes to the club after a good first season in the UK with Edinburgh Capitals, where he was widely regarded as their best performing defenceman last season. A strong career in the NCAA shows that Smith is not the most effective going forward but will finish his checks and be a good solid defenceman for the team. Unspectacular, good defensive defenceman. Likely to play a good amount of minutes ahead of both Adams and Symonds as part of the main four defenceman for the Devils, Smith is a known quantity, a solid performer who is unlikely to let the Devils down. 17 – Mark Richardson 09-10 Club: Cardiff Devils 09-10 Stats: P56 5+18=23 PIM 22 Career Stats: Elite League: P234 31+64=95 PIM 60 British NL : P67 15+23=38 PIM 8 English PL : P49 21+21=42 PIM 6 Great Britain: P25 1+1=2 PIM 2 GB Under20: P20 6+12=18 PIM 10 GB Under18: P8 0+0=0 PIM 15 Still only 23, Richardson is fast emerging as the natural successor to Jon Weaver as the top British defenceman in the game. Logging many minutes for the Devils last season, he was the first player that coach Adams looked to re-sign to a two year contract. Experienced internationally and with over 200 games below his belt at Elite League level Richardson shows maturity beyond his years and as a former winger brings a flexible approach to the team that could be very useful with 6 recognised defecemen on the team in the case of an injury to a key forward.
Look for Richardson to be used in all situations and he is also likely to wear an A this season. Richardson is a very useful defenceman and amongst very few British players to be able to play a significant role at this position. Not only will Richardson be important for the Devils but also for the coming World Championship campaign for Great Britain. 27 – Kenton Smith 09-10 Club: HC Vallpelice, Italy 09-10 Stats: P39 2+15=17 PIM 78 Career Stats: Elite League: P52 7+32=39 PIM 64 Italy Serie A: P39 2+15=17 PIM 78 ECHL : P477 47+145=192 PIM 492 AHL : P9 0+1=1 PIM 2 WHL : P334 43+150=193 PIM 442 IHL : P59 1+3=4 PIM 24
30 year old Smith is the brother of fellow defenceman, Mark Smith and like his brethren he is entering his second season of Elite League action following a season with Manchester Phoenix a season ago. Although not noted outside of Manchester, Smith is a fast mover of the puck out of the zone and will be good for 25+ assists through out the season. Smith also smoothly finishes his checks and will take no prisoners at the back. Unlikely to finish in the all-star team, but showing experience in both the IHL and AHL shows that Smith has some skill and with 39 point in his last EIHL stint, he will certainly trouble the scorers. 29 – Justin Sawyer 09-10 Club: Bloomington Prairie Thunder, IHL 09-10 Stats: P76 4+9=13 PIM 288 Career Stats: Elite League First Season IHL: P76 4+9=13 PIM 288 CHL: P121 1+21=22 PIM 508 ECHL: P55 0+7=7 PIM 189 AHL: P15 0+0=0 PIM 28 OHL: P81 1+12=13 PIM 233 OPJHL: P89 3+21=24 PIM 331 At 24, Sawyer is younger than most players who come to the Elite League, but will arrive with the majority of the Devils’ fighting needs on his shoulders but will also be expected to be a servicable 4th defenceman. With 6 recognised D men, two of which are British, Adams is able to take the risk of having his major fighter as a defemceman, and Sawyer is not one to back down having dropped the gloves with Alex Penner (Nottingham Panthers), Blair Stayzer (Newcastle Vipers) and Cedric Bernier (Breahead Clan) in the past whilst it is sure he won’t back away from Dundee’s Sean McMorrow either. A stay-at-home defenceman, he will posses less skill than the rest of the Devils contingent but is likely to be able to contribute more than the above named heavyweights in the league. Sawyer won’t be alone either with Brad Voth and Ryan Finnerty also ready and willing on the sidelines. 55 – Gerard Adams 09-10 Club: Cardiff Devils 09-10 Stats: P38 4+11=15 PIM 58 Career Stats: Elite League: P284 58+86=142 PIM 620 British NL : P17 6+4=10 PIM 99 Superleague: P49 4+8=12 PIM 176 AHL : P15 0+0=0 PIM 16 ECHL : P106 7+27=34 PIM 285 WHL : P246 38+94=132 PIM 845 Adams, who at 32 is still a young coach despite this being his 5th season in charge, has led hockey teams for many years and is very experienced in the league after spells with London Knights, Edinburgh Capitals, Sheffield Steelers and Cardiff Devils.
Adams has taken advantage of the extra import slot by registering himself from the start though he expects to play himself lower down the pecking order of the imports to allow him to coach from the bench. A very capable defenceman who is also tough in the vein of the entire team Adams will add another string to an already very strong bow. PHN Verdict: The Cardiff defence as a full force will be amongst the strongest in the league, they have a good balance of toughness from Sawyer, attack from Kenton Smith and Mark Richardson and good defensive sense from Symonds, Adams and Mark Smith. The Forwards?
4 – Jon Pelle 09/10 Club: Rapid City Rush, CHL 09/10 Stats: P38 21+23=44 PIM 33 Career Stats: Elite League First Season CHL: P88 44+46=90 PIM 33 Denmark: P20 8+5=13 PIM 8 NCAA: P135 39+58=97 PIM 92 Another of the new young, hungry breed for the Devils Jon Pelle is a very promising acquisition coming off an injury troubled season with the Rapid City Rush in the Central Hockey League. The best points per game ratio Pelle is a slick skater who at 24 still has bags of energy. With just three professional seasons, Pelle’s stats don’t look the most impressive in the league but if he remains fit he could be a real suprise in the scoring charts.
On the downside after an injury hit season, questions marks are raised over his fitness and Pelle doesn’t benefit from the experience that many EIHL imports posses.
11 – Samuel Smith 09/10 Club: Dubuque Thunderbirds, CSHL 09/10 Stats: P39 11+10=21 PIM 61 Career Stats: Elite League: First Season CSHL: P39 11+10=21 PIM 61 English PL: P4 0+0=0 PIM 0 18 year old Sam Smith returns to his hometown club after a year in the CSHL, the second tier of junior leagues in the USA, finishing with a respectable points total for his team. Smith is somewhat of an unknown quality due to his USA training but is expected to feature for the Devils this season fighting for a 3rd line place with fellow youngster Ben Davies who has more experience at this level.
A power forward at 6ft 3in, if Smith clicks in the Elite League he could be an impact player for years to come but expect Smith to spend some time playing for the ENL side or with an English Premier League side before being able to make a strong impact in the Elite League. 15 – Scott Matzka 09/10 Club: Orebo (Sweden), Tappara (SM-Liga, Finland), Jokipojat (Metsis, Finland). 09/10 Stats: P37 11+16=27 PIM 44 Career Stats: Elite League First Year SM Liga: P2 1+0=1 PIM 0 Finland 2: P16 7+14=21 PIM 10 Swden 2: P37 11+16=27 PIM 44 Denmark; P154 99+124=223 PIM 460 Germany2: P78 41+64=105 PIM 292 ECHL : P108 37+66=103 PIM 186 AHL : P18 2+6=8 PIM 12 NCAA: P166 36+56=92 PIM 214 USHL: P98 50+67=107 PIM 223 Despite a deceptively low scoring season last time out, Matzka is amongst the highest impact players to join the Elite League this season and will likely centre the first line for the Devils. Expect Matzka, who playing in the hyper-skilled SM-Liga as recently as last season, to be there or there abouts at the top of the scoring charts coming the end of the season.
Joining the Metsis league halfway through the season he almost single handedly carried his team from average to championship contenders. Coach Adams has done some fine work in recruiting this player to the Elite League and his years of successful play in Denmark, a league higher in quality but similar in play will assist Matzka to be a success in the UK. A likely star player for the season ahead. 16 – Tylor Michel 09/10 Club: Cardiff Devils 09/10 Stats: P52 13+21=34 PIM 88 Career Stats: Elite League: P52 13+21=34 PIM 88 ECHL : P68 8+18=26 PIM 66 NCAA : P123 24+37=61 PIM 249 Michel enters his second season with the Devils, a hard hitting defensive forward that will work hard in the corners and give his all for the black and red in Cardiff. Not likely to be a major impact with the scorers, Michel plays a role within the team as a top grinder who can win the 50/50 battles for skilled players such as Pelle and Matzka to take advantage of. Whilst there are more skilled options than Michel, he will turn up to play every night and give 100% for the club. Michel will win the hearts of the fans but is unlikely to be the deciding factor in many games this coming season. 18 – Stuart MacRae 09/10 Club: Amarillo Gorillas, CHL 09/10 Stats: P62 22+37=59 PIM 30 Career Stats: Elite League First Season CHL: P122 43+81=124 PIM 72 ECHL: P62 10+19=29 PIM 20 CIS: P107 43+70=113 PIM 50 QMJHL: P288 101+175=276 PIM 192 MacRae, 28, from Nova Scotia is a solid second line forward who will be able to chip in with a point a game but is unlikely to top the scoring charts.
MacRae is a good average to above average import who will be a good second line goalscorer coming off of two good seasons in the CHL. Likely to be paired with Captain Ryan Finnerty on the second line, MacRae will likely enjoy a similar points per game ratio in the Elite League to he did in the CHL. 23 – Maxim Birbraer 09/10 Club: Cardiff Devils 09/10 Stats: P54 22+36=58 PIM 58 Career Stats: Elite League: P160 71+106=178 PIM 238 Russia 2 : P32 5+15=20 PIM 32 Germany 2: 16 4+5=9 PIM 4 ECHL : P82 23+33=56 PIM 73 AHL : P164 19+21=40 PIM 94 CHL : P44 16+14=30 PIM 37 OPJHL : P47 50+34=82 PIM 52 Isreal National T : P9 11+12=23 PIM 10 The only Isreali international ever to play in the Elite League, Bribrear collects passports as some people collect stamps with Kazak, Isreali and American nationality having learnt his hockey in both Kazakhstan and America. Entering his 4th season as a Devil, the 29 year old was the top scorer on last years team but will face stiff competition this season from Scott Matzka for that title. Finding his niche in the Elite League after plenty of experience in the high level AHL, Bribraer is never the most popular of players are rarely is recognised as a standout by opposition fans.
Nevertheless, the Devils can count on Bribrear for a good contribution season on season and this coming season is likely to be no different for the multi-national forward. 25 – Phil Hill 09/10 Club: Cardiff Devils 09/10 Stats: P56 22+21=43 PIM 63 Career Stats: Elite League: P343 61+90=151 PIM 297 British NL : P22 3+4=7 PIM 14 English NL : P20 8+13=21 PIM 34 Superleague: P9 0+2=2 PIM 0 Great Britain: P10 3+1=4 PIM 0 Late bloomer 28 year old Hill has really broken out over the last couple of season as a Devil following a year away with the Sheffield Steelers.
Two consecutive career record 43 point seasons following his return to his hometown club means that Hill is a really key part of one of the best British packs in the league. A defensive winger, Hill is not flashy but uses his 6ft 3in frame to his advantage, and will once again be a key part of the forward lines for Cardiff, potentially securing a first line slot if Coach Adams retains his policy of having a British player on each of his forward lines. A slot alongside Scott Matzka and Jon Pelle would almost certainly see the 28 year old beat his career mark and add to his 10 caps at International level. 26 – Brad Voth 09/10 Club: Cardiff Devils 09/10 Stats: P50 12+21=33 PIM 347 Career Stats: Elite League: P228 69+85=155 PIM 1466 ECHL : P177 15+26=41 PIM 722 AHL : P30 2+3=5 PIM 108 WHL : P215 27+30=57 PIM 785 Massive Brad Voth, a 6ft 5in native of Calgary, Alberta is Mr. Cardiff Devils entering his 6th and rumoured final season with the Cardiff Bay club.
Talisman Brad Voth (Photo Jessica Roberts)
An excellent power forward having worked on his game over the past few years, Voth will be concentrating on playing this year but with Voth around incident is never far away so don’t expect not to hear of the big man this coming season. One of the major characters in the Elite League, viewers will be worse off if Voth does choose to retire after the coming season. 61 – Ryan Finnerty (Captain) 09/10 Club: Cardiff Devils/Bloomington Prairie Thunder 09/10 Stats: P28 11+19=30 PIM 122 Career Stats: Elite League: P152 55+82=137 PIM 494 Italy Serie A2: P24 14+14=28 PIM 146 IHL : P15 4+10=14 PIM 50 ECHL : P240 52+85=137 PIM 636 CHL : P63 22+37=59 PIM 156 WHL : P24 1+2=3 PIM 38 BCHL : P77 28+60=88 PIM 225 29 year old Captain Finnerty was an instant hit when he arrived in the UK with Sheffield Steelers late in the 2006-2007 season. Winning the hearts of fans and pundits alike with his take no prisoners style, Finnerty is a wind up merchant who will get the in the faces and in the ears of opposition players, if your new to hockey think Shane Warne (Australian Cricketer) meets Sly Stalone and you’ve got yourself Ryan Finnerty. Finnerty again is a grinding player who alongside Michel and Voth will ensure that the Devils forward lines aren’t pushed around but will also near a point a game. This season with the C on his chest, Finnerty will have to make sure he watches his phrasing with the men in black and white. 65 – Ben Davies 09/10 Club: Cardiff Devils 09/10 Stats: P53 5+5=10 PIM 14 Career Stats: Elite League: P109 8+10=18 PIM 14 English NL : P31 23+43=66 PIM 6 English PL : P7 0+2=2 PIM 4 GB U20s: P10 7+7=14 PIM 8 GB U18s: P10 7+12=19 PIM 6 19 year old Davies will fight it out with Samuel Smith for the third line spot for the Devils and starts at favourite with the more ice time in the Elite League to his name and 10 points last season. The smallest of the Devils players, Davies is a pacey winger who in years to come could become a full GB international. Davies will continue to develop this season and is likely to increase slightly his points production but will have to work hard to climb through the roster to rival the likes of Hill for a second or first line spot. The Verdict: The Devils don’t have enough firepower in the front line to make a real challenge for the title but in Scott Matzka they do have one of the best single forwards in the league. With Voth, Finnerty and Michel they will not be pushed around up front and have bags of size. Overall Team: The Devils will come to play each and every night and will not be an easy game at all, they are well set up, have a settled core and one of the best Brit packs but they lack the firepower to top the league. Contact the writer: phil.andrews@prohockeynews.com
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