CARDIFF, UK – Cardiff Devils have confirmed that five season veteran and Elite League record penalty minute taker Brad Voth will return to the club for his sixth season in the UK. Whilst arch-rivals Coventry Blaze are hit by the news goaltender Peter Hirsch will return to Denmark.
Coming to the UK in 2005, Brad Voth was regarded as a one dimensional player coming in to protect the skilled Cardiff forwards. However, Voth has emerged as not only an extremely useful player but has turned himself into the Elite League’s most talked about player and arguably the icon of the Cardiff Devils.
Although this coming season the 6ft 5in giant will not be wearing the Captain’s C, that honour now moves to former Sheffield Steeler Ryan Finnerty, it is sure that Voth will bring his unique brand of hockey back to the Elite League.
A player who has somewhat set the standard of a tough player who can bother the scorers, Voth has not always been the object of affection for opposition fans, high hits on Ashley Tait and others around the league have seen the player sit out for a number of games.
Nevertheless, Voth still amassed 33 points last season along with a League topping 347 penalty minutes in a season where he carried an injury for most of his year, having put up 46 points in the two most previous seasons.
Coach Gerard Adams has also pledged to spend at least one of his remaining import slots on a tough player that will take the pressure off Voth in regards to protecting the team with both Tylor Michel and Ryan Finnerty already in the side neither of whom are afraid to part with their mitts.
Cardiff have also added depth in their goaltending, announcing a two-way agreement with Telford Tigers to have Martin Clarkson in the team. The Great Britain Under 20 international, now 21, spent last season with Hobart College Statesmen of the NCAA and will continue his education at University of Wales Cardiff. Clarkson will train with the Devils during the week, as well as with the Tigers and play for the Tigers in the EPL as starting netminder.
In the event that starting netminder and GB international Stevie Lyle picks up an injury, Clarkson can be re-called to the Devils to start in the Elite League – with Tigers set to announce a strong back-up netminder potentially a return for Davy Lawrence who spent last season splitting a starting role with Tom Annetts at Basingstoke Bison.
Cardiff have also re-signed Joe Myers who split last season between Romford Raiders and Slough Jets of the EPL.
Also signed to mind the net are last year’s back-up Michael Crisp and former Telford Tiger and Swindon Wildcats netminder Mike Brabon.
Crisp, Brabon and Myers will split back up duties with the Devils senior side with the ENL Cardiff Devils and ENL2 Cardiff Satans to keep them sharp in the event they are required on the senior team.
Elsewhere, arch-rivals Coventry Blaze have parted company with Danish international Peter Hirsch who will take up a post with the Danish Hockey Federation on the back of his performances in the World Championships for Denmark.
Contact the writer phil.andrews@prohockeynews.com
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