CARDIFF, WALES – It has been a hot minute since the final announcement was made to confirm the official 25/26 season roster in South Wales, a summer that has split opinion right down the middle.
Discussions about physicality over goals, goals over everything else and some, naïve arguments, that the goals already exist, so no need to worry.
Each to their own.
Amongst the back drop of so called ‘keyboard’ coaches and scouts, despite both actually using keyboards, efforts to engage good debate has prevailed and thanks to the EIHL Face-Off Podcast assisting, a mid-summer survey produced some expected results and an idea of how the fanbase are feeling as we go into pre-season then Challenge Cup action.
The expectations for this season will be vastly different than any since 2022 and even more so since Pete Russell took over as head coach.
The owners even made an appeal during their 2025 Summit Announcement to temper the expectations as their budget isn’t as expansive as many might think and even hinted that last season was an over-spend, which needed to be mitigated this year.
That is fair enough, Shinkaruk alone was enough to offset a new budget. Let alone anything else.
This was also reflected in their announcements. A lot of underwhelming feelings were conveyed, as is the right for any fan. The smaller details hide behind the veil.
There is a new coach, which means new relationships, ending of past ones, new visions and recruitment ideals. Although the same entities assist in that department, it is clear Coach Thompson felt there was a dynamic at play that they simply had to focus on.
Physicality.
In this case, there should be a bombastic amount of it. Yes this was a key component that went awry over the years. Personalties seemed to develop a habit that leaving a player to it was the best approach to maintain a balance in the locker room. Perhaps.
However, the amount of 6ft+ centres that failed to marshal the NZ, rustle the opponents net and cause chaos in the slot definitely went noticed. No skates to fill in that role, it has been vacant since Layne Ulmer left the club.
The question to ask, is why an abundance of centres? The answer could be simply to allow options, rotation and account for less ice time to some players that might be seeing the end of their playing careers very soon.
Olischefski performed extremely well on the dots, as did Tyler Busch, the depth for this skill was very minimal, so this would be a key area to look into as the season builds up and gets going.
As for the classic power forward, the new Devils will be expected to really amp this up – Yaremko, Lacroix, Kontos, on top of players such as Caponi, Olischefski and Barrow, make for a mouth watering prospect of some really rough and tumble hockey.
There is an ability to have a really robust top 9, rather than a talent-split top and bottom 6.
Since the summit, Devils unveiled two really good quality signings. Defenseman Jimmy Oligny and former Panthers forward, Kristoff Kontos.
To some, the latter was still underwhelming, likely that had he been part of the earlier or summit announcements, then anticipation for a higher quality player to be signed, would have been the hope.
Alas, return to the very start.
Limitations.
Defensive Measures
The other expectations for the off-season was the squad retention. Nearly 60% has been retained at the back (without 2ways), with the biggest overhaul on the blue line. 4 new Defenders, with Kay expected to be scratched for most of the season, shows the area that was focused on for improvement.
Defensively, the team hasn’t had much of an issue, aside from age. However there was an under achievement in terms of offensive production the previous season.
Some may think this was a coached issue, ie; not letting Fournier ‘do what he does best’ and others understood that a first season back never meets the bar that was set before.
Other thoughts were that some players were over used and had more favour, but this could be said for any level at any sport.
For the forwards, this was where the expected changes were locked in, but not nearly enough to offset some contributions that were way off the mark to represent championship winning teams in any capacity.
Nearly 70% were retained, showing that the club wanted to maintain a core, but the reality was there were some they couldn’t let go, at least not this season.
It is of course a testimonial year, a big one.
The Brit-Pack
The biggest element in the EIHL player market this year and going forward would arguably be the British players. Having that established Brit core, for any team is a huge deal. It is a vital element to the future of the sport.
For some, this element has started to wilt. Already, Josh Batch has retired, Mark Richardson (inspirationally) defies logic, Ben Bowns, the focus of the next testimonial has already announced retirement from International hockey.
Perlini announced for a 2nd season in South Wales was welcomed by all, but even still, he is no spring chicken and took a very long time to get going in the least campaign. The hope there is he continues where they left off.
As for the Prince of Wales, Ben Davies, his longevity is up there with Mark Richardsons and he always delivers. His leadership on his line has given the fanbase something to cheer about for the last few years, but time always comes to call eventually, so after this season, the question is when, not if.
This turned heads to look for players suitable for stepping in or even up for the club to cement themselves as the next Brits at the Devils, which has had a magic core for a decade. The expectation and understanding would be that the future group would be lead by Sam Duggan.
Rightfully, the expectation was for Reece Kelly to be looked at and brought in, which was slapped down and dismissed, As we know, during the last season, he inked a deal with Steelers, even though the club maintained an interest.
This is one for the very near future at least.
So, who did they announce? Brodie Kay.
This was one that left a lot to be desired but also a signal of intent and design for the season ahead. There won’t be any grandstand signings this time around and with the new coach, who is passionate about developing British talent, this would be one for the new coaches to work on.
It was amazing that the former coach, the current coach of Team GB done very little to promote through the club he worked for. So, hopefully, at least for Kay’s sake, the new regime would provide a bountiful foundation to continue to build on.
The next expected Brit would be Bayley Harewood, who was all but announced during the last testimonial.
The stumbling block there was the access rights for the player to the Devils, as Bristol Pitbulls retained their rights over him during the last few seasons.
I would expect him to be added to the squad with a big opportunity to have a real crack at the roster, as he has been knocking on the door season after season. (Update, he has!).
Goal Scoring or Physicality?
Much has been stated regarding goal scoring, with many believing the existing players have enough. The above graphic immediately disproves that notion in an instant.
Blue-line Efficiency
As mentioned, the defence hasn’t been the issue, as goal tending on top of a great PK (leagues best last season) has been one of the best facets of the last 2 seasons at least.
However, there are minimal improvements, most notably Oligny’s appointment.
As for Estes, he had a good season in Denmark with the new coach, but nothing prolific beyond that. If he hits 0.50PPG this season, it would be good for him overall. He would however need to go above 0.60 to be considered an ‘upgrade’ on Donaghey.
This league is a level up from Denmark and each team have levelled up, again.
For Tyson Helegson, he provides another outlet for ferocious physicality, something Gourley had in buckets but spent most of his time fluffing one timers on the blue line.
For the new Devil, he has spent over 400 minutes in the penalty box across the last 3 seasons. This is all you need to know of what to expect and is a sure fire upgrade upon the retired, Gourley.
Oligny is the obvious replacement for Andrew MacWilliam, who despite being replaceable (as we have seen), was far too good for this league. I imagine the EIHL officials would be relieved he won’t be barking at them week in and week out.
His steadying, resolute presence at the back and in front of his own net was something that kept his team in games. Offensively not quite there, as his game was geared more for physicality and stewardship from the blue line.
Come game time, he [MacWilliam] had to cover a lot for his line man, Donaghey especially, but worked well with Gourley as a shut down unit.
His skilled hitting ability and presence drew a lot of ire from those who weren’t up to his level in that area, causing a lot of frustration and burst blood vessels.
Oligny is a different kettle of fish. An expansive CV, just like MacWilliam’s, especially in the AHL. Again, not a goal scoring defensemen, but a younger, more mobile skater that has been a quality addition to each team he played for.
His leadership, similar to the exited blue liner is second to none, so a likely shout for an ‘A’ this campaign. An improvement? Absolutely.
Ultimately, Devils missed a Marcus Crawford or Pre-2020 Fournier. Which, the prevailing thought clinic has been that was why Fournier had been brought back, but failed to deliver (as expected in his first foray back to the Welsh capital).
Should there be a repeated performance from the blue line legend and veteran or a slower, meagre return, than perhaps the options at the back would in the end, show up a deck of cards that should have been folded before the dice was even rolled?
Forward Thinking, Kind of..
The physicality continues, as another addition from the NCAA champions, Denver Pios, Connor Caponi, has been brought in to add some flair and even more passion to the line up. One that will yet again raise a question of Brandt or Caponi, as the role is expected to be similar.
This draws back to the older debate of Pietroniro vs Brandt, which the latter eventually won. During his time under Pete Russell, he became a really good hockey player, but equally has been an injury risk. So, due to being a firm fan favourite, it was too obvious to not include him in the squad.
It will however raise debate and selection issues if Caponi somehow occupies a 4th liner role and has to battle it out with Brandt for a selection. Unless, Davies gets scratched too, but with Kay, that might not happen too often.
This leads to who should be the more obvious choice for that role in totality. Cedric Lacroix.
A bombastic, firebrand of a player, will certainly look to intimidate on and off the puck, probably on and off the ice the too.
Recruitment wise, similar to Sheffield, there has been a focus on bringing in players with QMJHL experience and roots. This, even if not by design will likely bring a flair and nuance to the season in spades.
As with the many highlight packages, he can snipe some goals, but it will be the discipline factor that might become a key focus during the season.
Previous centres have lacked genuine physicality and being able to park on net to deflect, disrupt and distract around the blue paint. The hope here is that Lacriox can do this.
He can also play wing and in defence, so a two-way player similar to Mosey. This would provide considerable options, as seen in recent years when Justin Crandall was at the club.
Not a prolific goal scorer by any means, which doesn’t add to what the club ultimately needed on top of physicality.
Another new signing, one that might be a gem by the end of the season, was Nolan Yaremko. Another, like Lacriox and Oligny that adds AHL experience to the group, but also a stint in DEL2, with a very positive record in USports for his career before turning pro.
0.66PPG pace in Germany is pretty decent, increased when in the coast at 0.95 and almost 1.5PPG in USports, makes him a very enticing prospect.
However, the levels of Zach O’Brien and Reid Duke far surpass him up to this stage, so of course without seeing his contribution yet, it is impossible to determine, but it is barely close on a like for like basis with Duke in mind, let alone the ZOB.
In DEL2, he [Duke] went 1.05PPG, but hit Europe after a long stint in the AHL. The comparison would suggest Duke to be more productive points and goals wise, however, he was underused last season on the third line and it is hard to see anywhere other than top 6 for Yaremko with this roster.
Then, the final signing (proper) of the off-season build up. Former Panther, Kristoff Kontos. This one would shake up the early roster predictions ten fold.
He is in the same boat as Yaremko in comparison with a top liner like ZOB, who utterly destroys him in every department. What Kontos does bring is a wealth of experience from Europe, especially Sweden, so should link up well with the new coaching team.
A player on paper can only offer statistical value. The real representation is the person in the jersey, off the ice and the value they bring to an organisation that not everyone will see.
I have a feeling, this is a difference that meant more to the new coaches and the Devils management. Kontos also ran a daunting gauntlet on the final day of last season, beating this very team and most of them in it, under incredible drama, ups and downs and unknowns.
That is immeasurable in value.
This also points to a question of did they need to sign certain new players or even retain some from last season, but again, limitations, careful budgeting and resetting new expectations.
What to Expect
Without seeing the team in action to get a proper sense of what they could bring, on paper, this is the team you would expect to finish how they did last season.
The main concern, quite rightly as well, would be where the goals will come from, considering that firepower overall hasn’t improved from the replacements and the team has year on year seen a general decline in lighting the lamp, especially for fun.
There is a naïve expectation or presumption that existing core players will automatically uptick their return because of the new coach.
Nearly all of those players have had a new coach almost each season since 2019.
Last season saw the lowest since the the new ownership in production, the nearest by a single score in their 2nd season. Devils finished 2nd then, 21 goals behind the champions. That season also saw a team outside the top 2 have more wins, the lowest in win by title comparison in the last decade.
When the winds of change and unknowns are gusting at gale force, never deplete any form of insights into that wind.
For many, due to the increased expected return of physicality, that is all that would be needed to convert more chances to goals and therefore, there is no need to worry.
Again, going for it in the wind, to lighten the expression.
The assumption is either pure folly or contrived fantasy.
Since 2022, more or less the roster has had the same players, for some, extending beyond, so with new coaches and systems, the production and outcomes have largely been the same. It wasn’t ‘Pete Russell/Euro Hockey’ that was the issue.
It simply cannot be.
The problem wasn’t physicality either, as a link to decreasing returns for goals. It was accuracy and ability.
Both go hand in hand.
Devils are very similar to Giants in terms of shot generation. Year on year.
The main issue was that shots were generated as ‘looks’ rather than genuine, determined efforts. Hitting the logo of the goalie isn’t the quality percentage shot to make things happen.
The stats also back it up. Last seasons measure of success is why there is yet another coach, even if not by the decision of the Devils management or ownership.
Hesitance, reluctance, confidence and pure ability are genuine factors, that never seem to be addressed.
At one stage, the team were flying last season, with the best goalies and the team had scoring depth. From Brandt to O’Brien. The only misnomers were Perlini who started late and took a while to get going, then of course, the raft of injuries.
Sanford re-joined early and hit the ground running.
Also, injuries for some, create opportunities for others. Whilst the team obviously reeled with the impact of their team mates hitting the recovery table instead of punching more into the league table, this clearly affected them but it was the lack of ability to adapt and take advantage of their increases in ice time and responsibility that ultimately shone through.
Effectively, since the new year, they collapse and if it wasn’t for MacDonald, that collapse would be blood eagle for their season.
If this team can have a (relatively) injury free season, then the odds are in their favour, just hopefully not at the expense of penalties, ejections and distractions to winning games.
This is the factor.
Winning Mentality
This is the real discussion point and while the club have been off the mark in standings, with two rivals claiming grand slams and double championship seasons, the best the club has genuinely won was platter in a very regressed format.
Discarding the 19-20 season where the club were trending to hit at minimum 35 wins and claim the title, their efforts since haven’t gone beyond 30 wins.
Last season was a downward trend overall, as Devils initially lead, then as they fell, others managed to stumble into the picture and someone, eventually, had to be a winner.
The gap between last season and from 2020 onwards has seen a stagnation in overall seasonal output from the club, as they have struggled to lock down a coach with continuity.
The main thing to be concerned about, is getting over 30 wins in regular season. Anything beyond that, is a bonus.
However, is this a stark reality check that the team has simply been performing to type, that type being, what their competitive ‘budget’ allows, compared to larger arena teams, two of which has had the lions share of the all the silverware available, whilst making monumental strides to modernise the game here properly?
That is a discussion point for the end of the season.
Survey Results
This is not an official Devils survey, but something I wanted to create and see if there would be any feedback, so thank you to all who participated.
It reflects quite soundly where the fans’ confidence lies in terms of recruitment and coaching changes, views on the league results this season ahead, with the most notable being in goal scoring.
It truly reflects where the majority of fans wanted to see an impact with the signings and roster overall, which in turn reflected those scores also.
The most surprising aspect was the amount who felt that despite this, there would be a strong chance at silverware, with the same confidence as the new coaching set up.
Of that trophy, it was unanimous, 55% opting to think the Playoffs being the most achievable, with a league win from next season. Which makes sense if this season would be intended as a ‘down year’ in terms of expectations with results.
An almost similar but strong majority also felt that Devils should focus on a rebuild, including a new Brit core and fresher options in terms of mainstay players.
This outcome might be a symptom of that changes are indefinitely expected, including a core of players that will become cult and legendary figures not only at their club, but for country as well.
With one more testimonial event to take place, for arguably the finest British and Devils goalie the league and club has ever had, this could be one hell of an emotional season, even the next.
However, despite that – thoughts, opinions, views, arguments, counter arguments, ideas, niches, issues or problems anyone might have as a fan, player, representative or even as a laid back spectator of sport, one thing remains to be discussed.
Almost the one element that truly matters.
The puck hasn’t even been dropped yet on the season and already from home and afar, the clubs’ success and outcome of the campaign has been solidly pre-determined.
Already written off on the title chase, then not much stock or faith in the cup and with the playoffs, which isn’t a concern until regular play is done and settled.
That kind of ‘pressure’ is something this group haven’t had in a while. To many, it is a first.
That makes this team, especially on paper – the most dangerous.
The floor or for a better term, ice pad, is theirs to make it their own.
A sleeping dragon ready to claim its prize.
The excitement is palpable.
Erebor, awaits.
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