With just days away from the start of pre-season and the team already in the hustle and bustle of training camp, media duties and photoshoots, there is a real buzz about the season ahead.
That is to be expected after a sensational end-of-season march to 2nd place overall and a first domestic trophy in 4 seasons.
Given how written off the team were a year ago, they stood on that criticism and wrote their own story.
Sure, there were teething problems and a return to a now all-too-predictable mid-season panic with results.
However, things turned around and the outcome aside from the above was a team so well-knit, it eased fears and consoled frustrations of the identity that was missing since 2019.
That was the focus for their off-season endeavours and how to build this roster to compete for more than just snatching 2nd and lifting a playoff trophy against a very poor rival team on the day.
A lot has been discussed about the recruitment, especially the lack of in comparison to high expectations of grand signings and a reset of the roster.
That was against the backdrop of optimism that for their summer, ‘the goalies were fine and no need to change the defence, just add high end scoring talent’.
This was likely a ‘challenge accepted’ situation from the front office, so they made their announcements – which largely fell flat.
Whilst acknowledging they were interested in players that fans would have wanted, in a double down post from one of the owners on a back water forum, the intent was clear. An attempt to find diamonds in the rough, for more than half the cost.
That is how it will be viewed with complete discernment.
The underlying issue, has been the interview release regarding increased costs (prior to the end of season run).
It is a situation of damned if they do, damned if they dont, but a lot will ride on the recruitment style, less than the notice to fans that costs will (finally) increase – something which should have happened years ago.
There are so many conflicting parallels, it almost takes away the purpose.
I feel that has been lost this off-season – not just who they signed and with what background, but what the team could do as a much less changed roster, familiar with a system from one of the finest British coaches this league has ever had.
Before a puck even drops, this will be the heaviest ‘trust the process’ in terms of pressure for the club. Their hope, is that it pays off.
Up First – Odense Bulldogs
With a chance to get a look at the sprinkle of new signings, is a visit from the coaches’ former club, Denmark’s Odense Bulldogs.
They are certainly not the same team as he left them, now under the stewardship of Mike Flanagan, the former, short lived Storm coach, released early December in 2024.
They have also added a familiar EIHL name, in EIHL Face-Off Podcast Hero – Didrik Henbrant, formerly of the Panthers. He collected silverware with the Panthers, including the IIHF Continental Cup and was named the tournaments best forward.
He is a dangerous forward, who can pounce and snipe from anywhere, elusive off the puck and marshals the NZ with skill.
The one thing you could expect is that his pace has dropped off, which was evident year on year during his time in Nottingham. Something his new team hopes he can re-kindle.
Also, there is the addition of a high quality blue liner in Ross MacDougall, of whom I have previously written about, that has played with a host of current and former EIHL’ers.
Another who is no stranger to South Wales, especially in pre-season, is goalie, Emil Zetterquist, who visited with the Herlev Eagles in 2024.
This appears to be a retooling season instead of a full rebuild for the Bulldogs, after losing in a post-season bronze medal game, from finishing 5th overall in regular season.
They managed just 20 regular season wins (excluding OT) out of 48GP, so would be looking to bounce back again.
It is worth noting that despite last seasons’ lower finish, they also played for the first time in the CHL, thanks to that playoff win under current Devils coach, Paul Thompson.
Some of their departures have actually landed in the EIHL for this season, including a duo heading to Giants and heavily touted on the previously mentioned forum, Joakim Thelin, which, considering his output rate, was an incredible reach for any form of interest.
The visit will actually be an experience they may also be quite used to, not just from former player and coach, but for the team itself, as Odense play in a capacity stadium very similar in number to the Devils.
Games against Danish opponents are not new to the club in recent years, by easily dispatching Herlev in pre-season and losing agonisingly to Herning in the Continental Cup – now in as many recent years, they can chalk off one third of the Danish league. Quite a feat.
Ones to Watch
Radim Piroutek – The Danish born Czech forward has enjoyed his career in Denmark, progressing from the youth system before leading his current team with goals and playing in the CHL.
He would be well known to both the coach and defenseman, Brandon Estes, who were amongst the stars of the campaign that brought playoff success and the following season, a first CHL berth for the club.
He has put up back to back seasons with 21 goals in regular action, adding a couple more during their playoff stint.
He is strong with the puck, keeps a sharp head on a swivel to find outlets under pressure, reads the offensive game very well and has a mean tip in net front situations.
Dawson Tritt – The 6’3 American forward brings size to the forwards group and a knack for building up highly respectable production to boot.
The 25 year old LHS from Spokane, Washington, USA has some much needed and relevant European experience in his early stages of professional hockey.
Icing for Slovakian side, HK 32 Liptovsky, he put up 43 points in 62GP overall, going for an average of 0.69PPG, leading his team last season.
This helped them achieve their highest finish for eight seasons.
For a player coming off a breakout season, he has certainly put up the type of numbers that would compliment any EIHL team.
So coupled with Piroutek and the addition of Henbrant, this makes for a potentially dangerous and dynamic offensive set up.
What to Expect from the Home Bench
As this is the initial rehearsal before the season gets underway with cup action, roster utilisation will be the main focus.
This week has seen further additions on 2-way deals in goalie Harry Thomas and Jacob Bryceland and a new player under this system for the club, Ethan Lock who is in town for this week before heading stateside to join his NCDC development team, Vernal Oilers.
During his pathway, he iced for an U18 AAA team, putting up exactly 100 points in 59GP. The Cardiff-born junior Devil will for sure be one to look at for the future.
Adding to the promotion of Harewood full time and Jake Sacratini, there should be some minutes split between the youngsters.
The results don’t matter at this stage, although everyone loves a win – systems first is a must. The players need to put the work in competitively and the coaches need to see this in real time with game day situations.
The main focus would likely be new signings such as Thomas Caron and Panu Mieho, alongside Nick Welsh. Welsh aside, there has been an intense focus on what the new forwards would bring and if they fit or better the billing they were given by the owners.
So, even if they may start as top 6 or top line in pre-season – this isn’t to be taken too seriously, as these games are about finding what works and what can be improved upon.
Last season, Thompson wanted to figure out the best leadership group for his system, trialling players throughout this stage to see who put their hands up with the most vigour.
I would expect the same, despite having a feeling the same leadership group would be retained.
There is an identity they want to reignite, that took most of the last campaign to actualise – the time to start that begins this weekend, so expect hard hitting, ferocious play, gutsy shifts and some carpal tunnels to be smashed.
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