Last Season
From a roster that had so much potential, their campaign ended with a final for the ages, after a colossal collapse in the standings as well as adding to another final loss.
Two domestic finals, a 4th place held together with sweaty, tired leg tape and a European triumph, making this club the 2nd in EIHL history to achieve this feat.
On paper, this looked like a gutsy season.
In reality, it was opportunities sorely missed.
From not moving quicker on players who didn’t want to step away from the recovery table, to finding pieces to plug the gaps far too late, a season dogged by the worst spate of injuries likely in its entire history.
They ended their most tumultuous season with one of their lowest returns in goals scored since the second season of their current ownership.
They also achieved their lowest win% for more than 10 years.
It was a stark contrast to the first half the season, where the goalies, top line and the team as a whole lead across all variables, with a healthy gap at the top.
As soon as the Conti Cup Final drew near, the wheels were starting to stutter, the eventual league champions crept in at the summit, although they barely hung on in the end.
As the season drew on, especially once the dust settled on their European success, they continued their fall, to the point where if a couple results went the other way, they might have ended up in 5th place.
The sour point on their season as a whole was their total capitulation to their main rivals on the road.
0 wins.
One of the losses being a shutout in the Challenge Cup final. Against a team they recently coughed up 10 straight with no reply.
Questions were certainly raised, fans absolutely walked out of games both home and away.
So despite the initial shock that the coach wouldn’t return after the season, it ended up being a decision not made by the club, who extended his contract earlier that season, but by the coach himself.
Perhaps the pressure and expectations were too overwhelming and the utter capitulation would have been too difficult to recover from.
Soon after, a former EIHL coach and rival to the club on a biblical scale was announced as his replacement and the off-season began.
Perhaps, maybe, the old style of hockey the club had success with would make a comeback and they will once again be crowned as the Champions of the EIHL? Only time will tell.
Key Additions/Departures
Addtions
Jimmy Oligny (D)
Brandon Estes (D)
Nolan Yaremko (F)
Kristoff Kontos (F)
Departures
Zach O’Brien (F) (Norway)
Cody Donaghey (D) (Angers)
Mac Carruth (G) (Rouen)
Josh Batch (D) (NIHL)
Reid Duke (F) (ECHL)
Tyler Busch (F) (Flames)
Production
Cardiff’s offensive production bloomed bright at the start of the campaign across all competitions, from the league to the cup to Europe, they always found a way.
Much like being left in the summer heat too long, they wilted and eventually wasted away for one of the biggest collapses a Championship-ready roster has ever achieved.
They finished 6th overall in goals scored in regular season (178) and as mentioned already, this was their 2nd lowest in a decade under their current ownership.
Josh MacDonald (57pts) lead the club in regular season and despite a 4 week sabbatical, outgoing Zach O’Brien also made the 50 point mark. The acclaimed ‘natural goal scorer’ Cole Sanford was 2 points shy at 48.
As far as the goal scored area goes, MacDonald went 5th overall, behind former Devil Cole Ully, both on 28 for the regular season, Sanford managed just 20.
It was the depth of scoring that became an issue. Of course, the team were ravaged by injuries, but this provided more opportunities for ice time, for players such as Tyler Busch, who managed just 10 goals.
He went overall 4 points less than his initial season, leaving massive question marks on the validity of claims his fervent supporters made for him being a ‘key piece’ to the Devils roster.
Whether even strength or on the power play, the club still averaged middle pack, suggesting that even when they had a healthy roster and had a man advantage, it largely counted for nothing as opposed to being 5 on 5.
Overall, the Devils finished far below expectations with a 3.30GFA and with so many returning this season, it raises a huge question on whether that could genuinely be turned around. After all, hockey players are creatures of habit.
Across the EIHL regular season, Devils only managed a shot efficiency of 9.31%. A good target to aim for which would increase chances of shots generated into goals would be 12% plus for this league.
The Devils would need to honour their more prolific goal scorers and playmakers with greater ice time and have systems built around them to produce those numbers, however the counter-argument to that would be to spread the ability across the lines.
The issue is, if their line mates aren’t proficient enough to generate scoring chances or create situations to provide those chances, then this dramatically reduces the xG/Game per player and the team itself.
No matter how physical a team can be, goals win games and even if you need to score just a single more to win, if that team struggles to score more than a 3 goal average, they need their defence to be able to backstop that to oblivion.
So far, their pre-season results have almost matched last seasons overall for their GFA, 3.29.
Yes, it is only pre-season, but this is a window to gauge a rough perspective of what to expect. Nothing counts as far as results go and as long as there are no injuries to worry about and the players feel good, that is all that matters.
The question however, still remains.
Defense
The main concern from last season in terms of the blue liners was age and mobility. While there were some masterclasses, there were times when the blue line was easily pinched or turned over and they were never able to recover.
Decisions on when to push forward or make a clearance play, find a stretch pass or just utterly level an opponent went awry as games drew on and the season took its toll.
From NZ mishaps, blind back hand passes to a grateful stick of an opponent, to failed outlet plays through too much traffic, it left a lot to be desired.
Accolades rained in for fan favourites, happy to overlook the flaws that would (and indeed, had) cost games, only because that player was chippy and some times put on a hit here and there.
The theme continued across the fan base, not enough physicality.
Their GAA was 4th overall with 143 GA, an improvement on the previous season. However, there was a more robust tandem in the net.
Not their best since returning from the shutdown, but very close on overage.
The 2.65 average is pretty decent, but with the GFA so close, it really did become a factor by the time the season ended. Far too close for any comfort and far too concerning considering the fire power they had to hand.
The team itself had a pride and purpose about its defence, which was more than better the average. On the PK they ranked first overall with 83.23%. They usually end up in the 79% averages.
The main failing of the defensive unit was taking penalties. Brandt aside, who seemed to get tossed for any reason at times, Andrew MacWilliam was 3rd overall in the PIMS department with 94. Some ways behind him were Busch (47) and Gourley (45).
Devils finished 3rd bottom for PIMs/Game with 11.41. Signs of a frustrating season for some and difficulty to hang with the pace for others.
This time around, they have signed players with a career of collecting PIMS and being very mean to play against. So in this league, would that translate well for the club and put them into winning scenarios?
Certainly, they have improved in terms of physicality but over the course of the last 2 weekends, they had their block beaten off by low-end Brits when gloves were dropped. So, the jury is out on this area.
Between the Pipes
Last season offered a mouthwatering expectation for the best goalie tandem in the EIHL. Mac Carruth, back for his 2nd stint as a Devil and future GB HoF’er, Ben Bowns.
The season started in most Devils way possible, with pre-season split between GB camp and Devils camp, which provided no benefit to the team at all.
Then, when the season started cooking, questions were being asked on how healthy some of them were. This was confounded in Slovakia, when both goalies became injured, meaning they had to bring in rookie goalie Maxym Duve as cover.
Shortly after, they added Taz Burman. Ironically, despite having the literal lions share of the games to this point, Bowns was seconds away on multiple times from securing a shutout. Nearly all of his rivals achieved this, some even with apples accredited to their game performances.
Then, Carruth got a shutout when he returned from injury and Burman then claimed one. It took nearly the entire season for Bowns to get his reward.
Throughout the campaign, along with MacDonald, they were the up there as the goalies to beat for being league leaders. But, like their season as whole, that eventually withered away into obscurity. At one point, Carruth took over, then after some controversy on the road, Bowns regained the number one slot.
Bowns ended up finishing 3rd overall in SV% but slipped behind the top 3 teams’ tandems for GAA. To be expected, as he faced more shots, save for Greenfield who iced more games by a long stretch. In comparison to the champions, he faced more than either within that tandem by 200 shots.
Two-Ways
Despite having the GB Mens team head coach at the helm and a reputation for having the longest standing and most successful Brit cores in the EIHL modern era, the club rarely called upon their 2-ways.
Harewood was once again cast aside, but featured in the Conti Cup, even grabbing and assist in the final.
The most disappointing part of his tenure, was that Pete Russell failed to bring in and truly test new up and coming Brits or even trying to bring in ones that were ready to Harewood’s level or more.
Players such as Jack Hopkins, Finley Ulrick, Reece Kelly. One of the biggest missed opportunities throughout the season and Pete Russells two season stint.
The Brit replacement for Josh Batch was actually Brodie Kay (Fife Flyers) who didn’t even manage to see through the pre-season.
Setting the coddled discourse aside from those who gushed over the announcement of bringing such a young player into the fold, it has again accentuated the need to look wider for new Brits, as this season is yet another testimonial year with the current crop approaching the end of their incredible careers.
The premature departure of Kay has certainly provided another level for Harewood to lockdown his place on the roster full time, which is yet to be decided. Devils would still need to find another blue liner to keep in mind for any injuries or suspensions.
Sam Smith (Bristol Pitbulls) has stepped into Kays role for now, but there isn’t the same level of control for the player as for Harewood.
Unanswered Questions
1. Does the team really have more goals in them?
So far, the jury is out on this question, but pre-season is only a very fluid guide that could always be flipped on its head. You could win all of the pre-season games and go on a long losing streak. Conversely, the opposite could happen.
The issue with playing it safe because it was pre-season was the longevity of it. 7 games. Three too many. Not a single game where the entire roster was full to rotate and experiment with. (Typically).
The return for goals scored fumbled across the pre-season slate after a fast start vs LM side Repaces de Gap. The end result was just lower than the season average previously. Not entirely uplifting.
The main route for goals came via Ryan Barrow, who may have a stellar rebound year, if he keeps this up (with success). Other than that, Nolan Yaremko offered up some promise, being a player who can get things done.
The main players, especially the top line MacDonald – Martin – Olischefski have been on the periphery, but not nearly as entertaining or productive as many wanted to expect.
For the blue liners, Fournier has seemed to naturally find his feet again after the typical first season blip (which both Bowns and Martin had when they returned from small European stints). Mosey has also added to the scoresheet, but the pairing is a worry as they provide very minimal coverage when both looking to attack.
The diamond in the rough (if this is what you could call it) was Brandon Estes, who has slotted right in to being a top Devils Blue Liner, to the point that it seemed he has always been there.
‘Secondary’ offensive options were limited last season, which the club basked in with Crawford for 2 seasons previously. This may become that buffer zone again if only one line is firing up front or the bottom 6 (once again) bail out the stars ahead of them.
2. Has the team added physicality that will be effective?
One of the biggest issues, especially for long term, fans was a lack of concerted and effective physicality vs teams. The style of play, which was very much dump and chase, was easily snuffed out by hemming in the wings and isolating the chasers.
The next biggest issue was being held up on the blue line, without being able to muscle through and play their own game.
This lead to breakdowns, turnovers, counter plays and chasing the game instead. Unforced errors, missed passes, poorly executed hits (Reid Dukes being the most alarming vs Steelers in the Challenge Cup), then the DZ pressure and rushed, panicked defensive plays, ultimately costing games, where some teams had no right to skate away with max points.
The additions of Helgeson, Lacroix and Caponi seemed to whet the whistle for those calling for more hits and more shut down ability. From the pre-season, one started strong and has since slipped into obscurity (Caponi), one has been invisible entirely and looks out of place and unable to meet the demands for pace in this league (Lacroix) but there is a saving grace.
Tyson Helgeson. Sublime defensively with this stick, strong and robust when defending his net, crushes opponents along the boards and so far, doesn’t drift out of position to head hunt.
It would make sense to pair Helgeson with Mosey as he has the speed to back to check, which can allow Mosey to carry and harry the opposition along the boards and from deep.
Then there is Jimmy Oligny, who adds further quality to the skating of Fournier. No surprise, as their backgrounds are similar. He has a familiar trait to Crawford however, which is to get very angry at bad guys and will wade in to the fray.
He cares for his team, he will drop the mitts. But so will Helgeson, Caponi, Brandt, Yaremko, Martin. It is a list that has been growing across pre-season and if this is just a taste of what to expect, then yes, physicality is there.
But at the wrong times.
Being chippy after whistles is fun for the casual spectator, but it needs to be more refined and concentrated on the ice, within play, especially in the NZ which most games have seen prolonged battles in and of course, around the opponents’ net.
As the season will draw on, the game day fitness will take over and presumably the legs will be less battered off-ice by the coaching team, so this may develop gradually, which means so far, the jury is out, but the expectation is nearly met.
3. Did Kays premature departure take off an unwanted band aid for their Brit-future?
Although it wasn’t the signing that would define a dynasty and a place in folklore or history, the announcement overall, was well received.
It did prompt concerns and questions whether it was the right signing to make, especially for the players’ stage of their career.
This came amongst the backdrop of a former 2-way blue liner, the highly respected and sought after Scotsman, Reece Kelly. Who ended up at Clan and started to cement himself as a key Brit player there.
Then, after asking if he would be a future asset to look at, it was dismissed as him ‘not being at the level of Josh Batch‘.
Who then retired.
Then, Kelly moved to Steelers, which shocked a lot of people.
Another opportunity missed.
So, with the announcement of Brodie Kay, the concession to accepting such an underwhelming business piece, was that he would be ‘one for the future’.
We all knew it was also just not right now.
Perhaps he knew it too and the move was too soon. He left before pre-season concluded and re-signed immediately with his home team, Fife Flyers. He does have a massive future as a regular full time ice hockey player in this league, without a doubt.
At the start of this campaign under new management, a longer term 2-way, local player Bayley Harewood, was offered a better carrot on a stick than they had previously dangled in front of him.
Essentially meaning, you work hard, we might reward you with a full time deal. To cement the process, the club finally got full rights over the player, which allowed them to call him up at any time.
This should always be the case to assist with player development and further provide pathways for their careers.
With Kay leaving, it would be the biggest miss a player could accomplish at any stage of their careers, but it also shows a continued lack of concerted interest from the club.
The entire scenario is built around this as Harewood’s decision, his responsibility. Not theirs.
I agree with it, to an extent. Considering the only player added as a young Brit to develop and build with, was Sam Duggan, the clubs established core has gifted them a sense of security in this area.
Time however is running out and it does seem a colossal change in mentality and approach is needed, even respect, to building a new core.
They have a coach who could do it. Kay perhaps, wasn’t his man to start with and Harewood has been around long enough to warrant a view that he should have already grabbed this opportunity with both hands and had it cemented.
Last chance saloon for Harewood or a slate left vacant until the bulk of the current core retires? Time will tell on this area, which leaves a question for the question, therefore, it is still ambiguous over what they will do.
Meaning, this will be a debate of concern that will ramp up when more and more established Brits call it a day or leave (for any reason), therefore, a band aid of epic proportions will be required to cover up this self inflicted wound.
Predictions
1. This will be the blue print of what is to come under Paul Thompson, as the club look to establish longevity behind the bench. That has been their main problem since Lord left and Thompson is the 4th coach in 5 years since that departure.
I would expect Thompson to try and tackle the negatives that surrounded the team last season, such as physical, entertaining hockey with a campaign-long passion and pride to match it.
Along the way, being the romantic he is and how much he wants to prove since his own departure from the EIHL before the lockdowns, he would be eyeing the Challenge Cup as a focal point to put his own mark on the team, the club and on his CV.
He is accomplished, but he has been away from a league that has grown into a new animal all together. Would his experience away be enough to add to his own CV to have what it takes?
It certainly isn’t a budgeted team to win a trophy haul this year, but with no European competitions to add to the EIHL grind, there should be some expectations to capture at least one of the three.
2. Beyond that, is plugging the gap between their competitors. Devils have been in decline since 2021, with the likes of Steelers and Giants setting records, standards, collecting trebles and nearly hitting a three-peat.
Amongst the standards that have been set, is the dwindling returns on the goals put up by the men in red, white and green.
Anything short of 200 goals in the league would be a failure and an example of why holding on to players without the higher end pedigree continues the trend.
Would they be able to achieve this? I think not, so far, as the data backs it up. Only once they have gone over 200 goals since 2019. If the goals truly are there, then where have they been all this time?
3. Ryan Barrow to have a monster year. I have speculated already in a previous article; https://hockeysteve.co.uk/2025/08/31/player-spotlight-ryan-barrow-el-purasangre/ and his pre-season form has detailed why.
Now is the time for him to set his own standard, shrug off the past couple of seasons and make hay whilst the sun still shines, even if it rains from time to time.
4. Current stars might go close to high points seasons, but would ultimately fall short. In the last three seasons, the top points scorer hasn’t ventured beyond 70. The highest since 21/22 season for Devils was Trevor Cox with 66 points.
Last season, with 57 was MacDonald. In order to put the team into any winning position, the top line needs to produce top line numbers individually. MacDonald should hit at least 60. Besting the previous highest scorer is a possibility, but not with the current line combinations.
As for Sanford, who has been in relative decline since that season with Cox (65), he has failed to reach 60 points thereafter. But that was in spite of one season taking nearly 10 games to log a single point and he started last season a little later after returning from DEL2.
He started like a rocket when he returned but faded into obscurity toward the seasons end, perhaps the reason being his shoulder which he has just returned from recovery after surgery in the offseason.
Would this be another rebound year, like many others across the league? You would hope so. I predict 58 points max for Sanford this season at a very generous push.
5. The final position for Devils seems to be locked in no matter who has been attempting predictions. Here is mine, 4th at a minimum.
The games will be closer than last season, but the imbalances in the squad, especially across the top 6 would render the abilities of the coach to be limited unless they manage to sign an additional goal scorer or two throughout the season.
This is where my ultimate prediction would weigh on that outcome; should they add a veritable piece to the mix, especially to the likes of Scott Kosmachuk, Ryan Valentini or even a Brandon Hawkins calibre player, then top 3 definitely. I could also see Josh Winquist being lured away if he goes off like a rocket for Fife.
Along the way, at least one further player would leave, potentially for not having the abilities they expected when scouted, the changes being in the middle 6.
As for the blue line, I would expect a 7th D on a 2 way to be properly secured before the end of October. Overall, if the roster very much stays as it is with no further additions or subtractions, then 4th ultimately against the quality of teams ahead of them.
This is a season where expectations would absolutely need to be tempered and instead to just enjoy the ride. It will be a roller coaster, that is for sure.
Predicted Lines
Following the overall trend throughout the dress rehearsal stage and amidst some absences within the early slate of games, here is how I think the initial roster would be set from the get go. If in bold and italics, is where there should be changes, but of course, I am not the coach, just reporting what I see, analyse and observe.
MacDonald – Martin – Olischefski
Kontos – Yaremko – Sanford
Perlini – Lacroix – Barrow
Duggan – Davies – Brandt
Estes – Oligny
Fournier – Mosey
Helgeson – Richardson
Bowns
Stoever
Scratches; Caponi, Harewood
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