Evening Kitbag; Locked In

It was deadline day for international transfers and Devils didn’t disappoint in their late season acquisition of American centre, Ben Almquist from Norwegian outfit, Lillehammer HC.

The 6ft forward from Victoria, Minnesota will be seen as a much needed addition to help stem the ruptured artery of their squad in recent months. For some, a body signed too late.

No matter what, it proven how difficult it could be to sign quality players at this stage of the season. Even rivals Steelers had to rely on 2-way Tremblay from Steeldogs and Panthers took Jere Huhtamaa from them to help with the loss of Bednard to injury a few weeks ago.

Expected signee, Brendan Ranford went to former round robin hosts of this years Continental Cup group, Žilina, along with 2 others. This is likely because for some teams in Europe, their campaigns were heading to a loss for expectations and it was time to clear house to save money.

Almquist joins from the back of an excellent start to his pro career, earning 35 points from 39GP in the Norwegian Elite League (Eliteserien), currently 6th in their table.

He also had a long college career but it really took off in the last two years where he went to Anchorage, Alaska, where he left as their top scorer.

PR noted he ‘skates very well, a team player and works hard with good hands and an asset to the power play’.

All positives from what could be a decent find this late in the season when so many clubs and players were making movements. From Fife’s Foss and his ECHL rights being activated to players needing to return home or even take up opportunities elsewhere, it is a fickle market to be in.

Recovery Table

PR also mentioned there were a few players out longer term, which could be any of group carrying knocks. Expected back should be Riley Brandt and Ben Davies at least.

I would expect these players back after the double header at Belfast, especially for the banner raising on St Davids day vs Flyers.

Brett Perlini should be expected back not long after due to a broken foot from a blocked shot a few weeks ago.

Reid Duke looked like he took a nasty impact throwing a mistimed hit on the road to Sheffield a couple weeks back and for Shinkaruk, it should be safe to say he is done for a while longer (I imagine the latter are the ones being long term).

Almquist is now registered as IR cover instead of Burman, with Maxym Duve officially released. Yet, no player put on IR as it stands, so who Alqmuist would be covering the remainder of the season is yet to be disclosed. Burman not released but no longer IR cover, so it is unknown what he will be doing for the club at this stage.

Jarrod Gourley missed the last game after heroically blocking a shot (so far, Gourley has a shutout) so might be precautionary and Schoonbaert didn’t ice toward the end of their last game, again, the hope is precaution, not addition to the recovery room.