Missing Pieces from a Stunning Summer for the Devils

If this offseason could be described in one word, I would say that it was ‘unrelenting’.

It has been against the norm, relentless, catching many off guard, with lots of surprises early in the mornings and some off the cuff announcements being dropped, sending fans into deep dive frenzies amongst the usual ‘glad you are here’ in typically dutiful fashion and some out right astonishment.

This offseason has also left my own plans in tatters, with an exciting scouting series being usurped by social media managers alike, as teams crack on with business, driving the interest immediately in the the hope it will translate into record season ticket sales and attendances for the upcoming season.

Wages will have to be paid, which means a cost offset later down the line at the POFW, but that is all I will say on that.

The early verdict is that every club has so far improved, making for an incredible campaign of EIHL hockey ahead, the costs and effects going beyond, is yet to be seen.

As for the Devils, things were kicked off with gusto with early announcements of landing marquee signings, statements being made. However, the finishing touches are yet to be announced, with another unexpected date for the Calgary Summit – on a Monday, hopefully live. With some hangovers.

For the Brit core, in my own review, I speculated changes to be made with some expected departures. There was only one, with Josh Waller departing for a return with the Flames, his replacement, the vastly experienced and much welcomed GB veteran, Brett Perlini.

As for the other expected departure, it seems Sam Duggan has earned the trust and respect of his GB and club coach, slotting in late as injury cover for the worlds, making his voice heard and style of play recognised as worth while to stay, at least for another season.

As written before, Duggan will seriously need to earn his place on this team, being one of the most stacked since the tenure, quite literally, began with the Calgarian ownership.

Any semblance of a season watching from the gantry would surely make the case for a departure more realistic, as his career has not just dwindled, but flat lined recently. This is it for him as Devil. Make or break.

Goal tending was less of an issue, despite the back up situation, as Bowns had a stellar season between the pipes in all competitions for 23/24. This time around, the conversation will undoubtedly unravel as to who will start with more excitement rather than trepidation.

Return of the Mac was for some an expectation, however this was a pleasant surprise, considering the European hockey market is a bounty for such a quality goalie, so returning to the fold with a new team, coach and environment would surely make for an even better Mac Carruth.

Perhaps hockeys unexpected hockey power couple, being the tandem of Bowns and Carruth? This is one storyline I cannot wait to get underway.

Then there was hockeys worst kept secret. Gleason Fournier. If one return was highly received, this has surely made fans that have seen the best of the Devils recent successes froth with glee and excitement.

Each time there was a visit during seasons gone by, watching from the gantry, the hope was there. Would he return?

He did. Perhaps at the expense of the EIHL DOTY for the last two seasons. My own hope is not, however, as speculated in the post season review, it’s either rebuild or go bust. This is the rebuild. This is absolute.

The return of experienced veterans and additional experience in the likes of Perlini, Carruth and Fournier was a crescendo that many fans found hard to cope. But was it too early to reveal such a strong deck of players?

Of course, there was the fan favourites being announced to kick things off, in Riley Brandt and Cody Donaghey and stalwarts Ben Davies along with a surprise returnee to some, Evan Mosey. The import Brit dazzled during worlds following a solid year on the Devils top 4 D.

At times on the ice, he looked like a giant amongst men with his poise on the puck, which he needs to continue to for the upcoming season.

So, enter the highly touted (and my) dream signing, written of only here – Zach O’Brien.

This has probably been the biggest signing in the EIHL era and the perfect answer to the high scoring top end talent the Giants had two seasons prior, of whom most have also returned.

O’Brien is a proven goal scorer, winner and total team guy, finding success and brilliant returns for those who recruit him along the way. A special player.

The only source that even touted the skills of Zach O’Brien was right here and speculated on Chasing the Puck (written by myself also). Another correctly called player to not only come to this league, but to join the Devils.

On top of that, there was speculation of who would join him. One of the foremost and immediate names was Sam Herr, but seeing he extended his contract back in February with Ravensburg, it seemed unlikely he would be going anywhere.

Enter the Panthers.

So, that was out of the mix. Who else?

As previously mentioned in other sources written by myself and put out there on social media, Josh MacDonald was duly announced.

Hockey Town in Cardiff and Wales itself was hitting fever pitch in excitement. Surely this cannot be happening?

Shortly after, the wrapping up of the Brit core was finalised, welcoming back legendary heroes in Josh Batch and Captain Mark Richardson, then further returnees; an expected Ryan Barrow returning, then the GOAT, announced later than usual and late enough to speculate a stampede inclusion.

Then a rather unexpected returnee in Tyler Busch. Though a respectable record for a third line C, given the signings already announced and who will be speculated going forward, it was a genuine bewilderment to include a player that although does the job, does it in heaps and troughs throughout the season.

Not missed during his absence, he was first struck off the proverbial list, especially considering the new signings and those returning. I am glad game day selection is not my job. However, Busch does come with good accolades, being a team guy is often more important than production, so with respect, welcome back Mr Busch.

Grow that mo with vigour.

Joining Barrow is a signing that many might have been caught out with. Kohen Olischefski. This is a key signing in itself for the connection with Ryan Barrow.

Not only AHL and DEL experience, a team mate of the same NCAA team, which recently won the Big Ten NCAA championship that has seen an owners son join the development camp at Calgary Flames of the NHL.

This class of players currently sees some with the NHL and their AHL affiliates and others in the EIHL, such as Bo Hanson to Giants.

Olischefksi was third highest in scoring points during that campaign with his Devils and former Pios team mate Barrow, so if fans thought Barrow was a gem of a signing and player, watch this space. Perhaps the most underrated one yet.

Joining the ranks of leavers with Josh Waller was Bode Wilde, which was expected, as he went across to Germanys DEL2.

Unexpectedly was Cole Ully joining the Clan. Which left the door open for someone to fill the LW 2 gap. Adding to these departures were Sanford, joining the same league as Wilde and rather left of field, Cox announcing his retirement.

All but Ully I expected to go, but hoped Sanford to stay. Each brought good quality to the team over the years, however, as written before, perhaps the post-covid pick ups had their time to marinate and didn’t quite mature into proven winners.

From last seasons roster, half have returned. This was slightly less than expected, but given the permutations of the last few seasons, particularly the last two with Devils being woefully behind two different grand slam winners and failed Continental Cup attempts, change was certainly due.

In a summer of change for other reasons, perhaps nerves of excitement going into this season instead of pangs of anxiety would be the prevailing feelings for the Devils fans?

So, with the current state of the team before the highly anticipated Summit drop. A feature of the Devils calendar we all look forward too, one that will surely celebrate the decade of incredible fortitude, turn around, success, harmony and a bed rock to rely upon.

Who next?

As already stated, it has been a summer that has left my own plans in tatters. By now, this should be a build up to cap off the expected or suggested signings the club could have made.

Zach O’Brien, Josh Macdonald, Brett Perlini and the majority of the returnees we have had from last season (Duggan and Busch aside), as well as Carruth (with doubt) and Fournier (he was inevitable), the final spots for me would have been at least 6 players at this stage of the standard summers we all know.

Going by a graphic being used to finalise the look of the team, there are 4 left. Fitting as it could be a Calgary 4 and looks like it is, announced at the Calgary Stampede by our Calgary Four.

With them, I would have added Cole Ully, as I would have expected Marcus Crawford to return. Currently I have my doubts, although it would be incredible if he did stay. For Justin Crandall fans, I feel his time to hang up the skates may have come.

Reid Duke – C, RHS

Reid Duke was a player I wanted to start the June article with. For his connections with current roster players, it would make sense with him as an addition, as well as a replacement for Busch, that could help keep a competitive middle six tick over and drive more offense.

Bags of AHL experience and a solid season in DEL2, going over a point per game (1.05) he would be a massive upgrade on any of our players from last season. For Arniel fans, as speculated, I could also see him hanging up his skates.

Duke also won the Conti Cup with HK Nitra, whose goalie has been signed as a replacement for outgoing favourite Evan Cowley of Ducs Angers, who went over to Asiago this offseason. That goalie I would have strongly suggested to pick up if Carruth wasn’t an option, in Matt O’Connor.

The Calgary native also played with and spent time on teams with current Devil and fan favourite, Cody Donaghey and recent returnee for a brief spell at AHL outfit at Henderson Silver Knights, Tyler Busch. The connections are solid indeed

He was also drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the 6th round in 2014, with 5 years in the AHL. From that draft class, there has been recent Stanley Cup Champions from the top rounds and a remarkable class all around, including a potential team mates brother, so the company he keeps suggest a good quality player fans can look forward too.

Andrew MacWilliam – D, LHS

This would have been the backup to my primary choice in Jordan Sambrook for D. Not for the CV comparisons, but due to keeping the overall age of team and Defence down.

The 34 year old Calgary native has a resume that should be devoid of the EIHL.

9 consecutive seasons in the AHL then at top European leagues, it is just as incredible to have him as it is Zach O’Brien. The potential for both with Gleason Fournier and Marc Carruth to blend some top names in a mix, what are we doing?

This is the feeling.

Astonishment at how seriously stacked this team is shaping up to be.

Another draftee, picked by Ontario giants Toronto Maple Leafs in the 7th round in 2008, in the same draft that gave rise to Tampa Bay legend, Steven Stamkos.

He has won the NCAA championship with North Dakota and recently a league champion in Austria, along with plenty of Champions Hockey League experience.

Not a point scorer but a stay at home defenseman, that should compliment the more attacking minded line mates he would have, with plenty speculating Fournier being the same player he was (I actually think his prowess would be refined and defensively more focused).

My only worry would be the age factor for the Defense as a whole, thanks to Cody Donaghey, the multi-award winning Devil for the end of season awards, it is 33.2 years old on average.

This can be abated, as the last serious time they were the genuine team to beat, was pre-lockdown in 2019/20 with the average at 30.61 years as a whole. Currently, the team sits at 29.57 years old, with 4 more signings to be announced at least.

Hunter Shinkaruk – C/W, LHS

Perhaps the direct replacement to Cole Ully would be another Calgary native in Hunter Shinkaruk. The 29 year old impresses on his resume even further, with NHL experience too, featuring at Calgary and Vancouver in the show, with 7 seasons in the AHL, before touring in China, Sweden, Latvia and recently Germany in the DEL.

Another draft pick, at the Vancouver Canucks, he was drafted 23rd overall in 2013 along with a couple of Stanley Cup winners of recent years. High profile standing indeed, even above a European hockey player from famed Herning Blue Fox in Oliver Bjorkstrand and the aforementioned, Evan Cowley and recently departed Cole Ully.

Shinkaruk is an offensive minded winger, with speed and silky hands, that will often crash the crease to create chaos around net. An ingredient that has been absent in the stew of Devils rosters since they had the likes of Layne Ulmer and Sean Bentivoglio.

This winger never made the radar, not due to his exceptional resume but I would have picked Brendan Ranford for his similar, but equally impressive resume and slightly more experienced career.

With knowledge that Cox was leaving and MacDonald in the mix, he would have been my pick to bolster the top 6 with Ully, even though he is an Albertan, he is from Edmonton, so not exactly on the right radar for the clubs owners. maybe.

With 2 forwards and 1 Defender, the final part would have to come down to either starting the season with just 6 D or having a system to create competition up and down the ice.

My view would be 7 D, with an improvement on River Rymsha.

Rymsha didn’t set the world alight and even with an unfortunate injury stint, he never came back fighting either. Not what is expected of a Cardiff Devil. His greatest strength was his hitting and shutdown ability, the rest, was scarce.

This would mean to bring in a D man that should expect and be happy to compete with the bottom pairing or the scratched place on the gantry. The benefit could be Mosey providing forward cover and relying on the rest of the D to carry a game or two. It happened often last season, even Crandall delighting supporters with his defensive efforts.

To make the final piece stronger requires a special player. No matter how hard the club would be sold, the position and reality of what is in front of them would require someone with the right mindset to be a team player and hard worker, who turns up every day wanting it the same as the higher end guys. This is actually rare, to keep someone motivated in that scenario.

Enter Jarrod Gourley.

A 25 year old LHS 6’2 aggressive defender, is the type of player you would need, let alone want in that role. Someone, who can even bring the average age down, yet be driven enough to compete when needed and always bring their A-game.

Even with some AHL experience, he would have rubbed shoulders with a former fan favourite, Sam Jardine, who has gone back to Europe this upcoming season. Another Calgary native which has a further club connection in former D man, Blake Thompson in the ECHL, this could be his first European venture in his career, a move well known to the club, who are experienced in facilitating.

Who would this leave out for potential names some want to return?

Justin Crandall, Marcus Crawford, River Rymsha and lightly speculated Jake Coughler are a few to mention, as anyone who had a chance to keep, they would. However, when a club looks to rebuild and regather following years of being bridesmaids (again) – tough decisions and equally tough outcomes have to be made.

That is sport. That is hockey.

That, should be your 2024/25 Cardiff Devils come the end of the 2024 Summit premiere.