WalesOnline - Terry Phillips Ice Hockey

Devils chase down their final import signing

2008-07-24T08:03:53Z

GERAD Adams is chasing down that last player - a skilled, offensive D-man.
The Cardiff Devils' coach has signed 10 of his imports with one to go and he is working hard on identifying the right man to replace Tyson Teplitsky.
"I am doing my homework on a few guys and we'll see where that takes us," said Adams. "We are still more than a month from the start of the new season and we need one more player.
"Now I just have to make sure it's the right guy for the team."
Centre Jay Latulippe is the latest Devils' signing and Adams is upbeat about his teams chances in the new Elite League season.
Their first match is against Manchester Phoenix at home on Saturday, August 30 at the Cardiff Bay rink. That is followed by opening Elite League fixtures the following weekend.
Watch out for all your Devils' news in the South Wales Echo - first with all the latest.

Centre Latulippe signs up as Devils' 10th import

2008-07-23T14:02:13Z

CARDIFF Devils have landed their 10th import and it's American forward Jay Latulippe.
Winger or centreman Latullipe, 26, will play between captain Brad Voth and Mike Prpich, while Rod Hinks will play centre alongside Derek Campbell and Jason Silverthorn on the other import line.
Adams is signing 11 imports, one more than last season, under League rules which allow the extra player for a club staying within a strict wage cap.
The Devils start their season on Saturday August 30 when Manchester Phoenix visit the Cardiff Bay rink for a challenge match, while Elite League fixtures start over the first weekend in September.
Season tickets at early bird reduced rates are still available and will be until the end of July. Further details can be obtained on the Devils' official website at www.cardiffdevils.com or by phone on 0844 8012010.
Devils players signed:
Netminder: Peter Aubry (import).
Defencemen: Doug MacIver (import), Wes Jarvis (import), Mike Hartwick (import), Jason Stone (Welsh).
Forwards: Brad Voth (import, captain), Derek Campbell (import), Mike Prpich (import), Jason Silverthorn (import), Rod Hinks (import), Jay Taluppe (import), Neil Francis (Welsh), Lee Cowmeadow (Welsh), Phil Hill (Welsh), Matt Towe (English), Ben Davies (Welsh).
Don't miss all your ice hockey new in the South Wales Echo - and watch out for my Devils' column every Thursday in the Western Mail.

Devils' owners say thanks to ice hockey sponsors

2008-07-22T10:05:27Z

CARDIFF Devils have a get-together for sponsors this week.
Owner Matt Burge and his wife, Fleur, and involved in their Devils' adventure together and both will meet and greet club sponsors during a speciel evening.
Burge, owner of last seasons Cardiff City sponsors Communications Direct, is putting a lot of money, time and effort into the Devils and is attracting a lot of support from local businesses.
The Devils still have to announce their shirt sponsor, with director of hockey Shannon Hope in charge of that project, but the backing of Burge means the club will be financially stable for the next three seasons and beyond.
He expects the club to be in a position by 2011 to be in a position which it can run and finance itself through season tickets, sponsorship and more.
And on Thursday Devils' officials say thank you to those people already backing the Elite League club.
Cardiff's first ice hockey match of the season is on Saturday, August 30 when Manchester Phoenix visit the Cardiff Bay rink.
Tickets are available from the club's city centre offices at floor three, Dominions Arcade, Cardiff or via the official website at www.cardiffdevils.com

Devils' new forward is 'quick and gritty' says G

2008-07-21T21:00:18Z

I'VE just had a chat with Gerad Adams. He's in Canada and I'm in Portugal with Cardiff City.
He has agreed all terms with the new forward coming in - and the contract will be signed by Wednesday.
He wants to wait until the formalities are completed before announcing his name, but the new forward makes it 10 imports signed and one to go.
Adams still needs a skilled defenceman.
Watch this blog and your South Wales Echo for all the details on Devils' new signing as soon as they are available.
G tells me he's quick, aggressive and gritty. Sounds good te me.
Devils' season tickets at early bird reduced rates are still available and further details can be obtained on the Devils' official website at www.cardiffdevils.com or by phone on 0844 8012010.
Elite League will again comprise 10 teams for the new season and they are Sheffield Steelers, Belfast Giants, Manchester, Edinburgh Capitols, Coventry Blaze, Nottingham Panthers, Newcastle Vipers, Basingstoke Bison, Hull Stingrays and Cardiff.
Devils players signed so far:
Netminder: Peter Aubry (import).
Defencemen: Doug MacIver (import), Wes Jarvis (import), Mike Hartwick (import), Jason Stone (Welsh).
Forwards: Brad Voth (import, captain), Derek Campbell (import), Mike Prpich (import), Jason Silverthorn (import), Rod Hinks (import), Neil Francis (Welsh), Lee Cowmeadow (Welsh), Phil Hill (Welsh), Matt Towe (English), Ben Davies (Welsh).

Reduced price Devils season tickets still available

2008-07-21T12:05:26Z

CARDIFF Devils are planning a big season in 2008-2009.
They have a new owner in Matt Burge, a number of new, high impact players and are aiming for a big step-up in entertainment and music before and during the match.
"We want the whole experience of watching the Devils to be first class no matter what the result on the ice," said director of hockey Shannon Hope. "We believe we are putting together a highly competitive team - and we'll be challenging the leading clubs.
"But our target is to ensure everybody enjoys themselves on a match night."
Cardiff's first match of the season is a challenge clash with Manchester Phoenix at the Cardiff Bay rink over the last weekend in August.
The Devils have extended their early bird season ticket prices until the end of July and details can be obtained from the official website at www.cardiffdevils.com

Adams close to signing new forward

2008-07-21T11:59:06Z

CARDIFF Devils are close to signing an import forward.
Coach Gerad Adams has reached agreement with the American player and the contract will be signed tomorrow.
The new signing will be revealed in your South Wales Echo tomorrow - and that will leave Adams with one more player to bring in.
That will be a skilled defenceman - and Adams is still well within the Elite League wage cap.
"We will be sticking rigidly to the wage cap," said Adams, who returns to South Wales from Canada during mid-August.

Max heading home to Kazakhstan

2008-06-17T09:36:22Z

MAX Birbraer is returning home to Kazakhstan.

]]> Cardiff Devils' power forward is leaving South Wales after two years, saying: "It's a wrench to be leaving - and I'd love to think I will be back playing for the Devils one day."
Kazakhstan-born Birbraer, who has also lived in Israel and Canada, will play for his home-town team and said: "It's a unique offer. The team manager is a close friend of my father and they play in the second tier of the Russian league which is an awesome standard."
Devils coach Adams said: "Max has been a valuable assett to Cardiff over the last couple of years.
"He did the club proud on and off the ice. I thank him for his service.
"We won't say goodbye. We'll say see you later and hope he comes back."

D-man Hartwick among trio of wanted players

2008-06-17T09:28:59Z

CARDIFF Devils have contract offers out to three players - including big, tough D-man Mike Hartwick.

]]> The Canadian played for Mississippi Sea Wolves in the East Coast League last season and coach Gerad Adams believes he would fit into the Cardiff Devils team.
"Mike is a big, stay-at-home defenceman," said Adams. "He isn't flashy, just a big steady guy who will play the body and clear the net."
Devils already have five import players signed - goalie Peter Aubry, Jason Silverthorn, Brad Voth, Mike Prpich and Derek Campbell.

Parrish back on the blue-line at Manchester

2008-06-13T12:19:54Z

FORMER Cardiff Devils D-man Dwight Parrish is back with Manchester Phoenix.

]]> Phoenix head coach Tony Hand has moved to add experience to his defence for 2008-2009 by signing American blueliner Parrish for his second term with the club.
Since his last spell with Phoenix, Parrish has played for and coached the Bracknell Bees in the English Premier League and during that time helped the club lift four trophies.
Last season, though, the Berkshire club stumbled from one crisis to another, but Parrish remained as steady off the ice as he is on it, guiding the team to cup success over Slough Jets and narrowly missing out in the play-off final, ironically also against the Jets.
Hand said: "Dwight is a solid, dependable and experienced campaigner and he’s still hungry to succeed."
Phoenix have completed also signed experienced Canadian defenceman Kenton Smith from the Charlotte Checkers of the East Coast Hockey League plus Great Britain international netminder Stephen Murphy and outstanding teenage goalie prospect Adam Summerfield.
Nottingham Panthers, meanwhile, have signed American goaltender Davis Parsley.
The 25-year-old, who is 6ft 2ins tall, was a high draft pick in the NHL (fourth round in 2000 by Florida Panthers, 120th overall).
Last year he had a save per centage of 92.4% in the East Coast Hockey League at South Carolina and in five years in the pros has consistently posted save percentage statistics of over 90 per cent.
Panthers have also signed Canadian centres Chris Richards and Bruce Richardson. They led their teams in scoring last season with 40 goals and 97 assists between them.
Richards, 32, has been playing in the CHL in North America for the last eight years. Last season he was with the Youngstown Steelhounds where he was the chief playmaker with 56 assists alongside his 24 goals in 64 games. The season before he broke the 100 point barrier at the same club!
Richardson, 30, was leading scorer for the Wichita Thunder last season, including 41 assists in his 57 point tally.
What's your view of how the Devils' team is building - and signings by other clubs. Are Nottingham's new centremen, both from Central League hockey, going to be a hit in Britain?
Who do you think Cardiff's Gerad Adams should sign - he has six import slots remaining to be filled.

Matt and Ed helping out Cardiff Devils

2008-06-13T11:55:35Z

FORMER Devils forward Mat Petricko and ex-Belfast coach Ed Courtenay are helping Cardiff coach Gerad Adams prepare for next season.

]]> Petricko will be playing in Slovakia next season and is also becoming a players agent for ice hockey and football, while Courtenay is an agent in North America.
"Both Matt and Ed are helping me identify and track down players who would suit Cardiff Devils," said Adams. "They know the Elite League and understand what is required."
Adams has most of his British contingent in place with five imports signed. There are also contract offers out to several potential signings.

Devils sure to be 'mean and tough'

2008-06-13T11:44:17Z

CARDIFF Devils will be mean and tough in Elite League during 2008-2009.

]]> Captain and enforcer Brad Voth is back, along with Mike Prpich.
The aggressive Canadian winger, 26, showed he is willing to drop the gloves and fight when he played last season before suffering a knee injury which needed an operation.
New signing Derek Campbell, who has moved from Basingstoke Bison, is another tough player who will get stuck in when things get over-physical.
And coach Gerad Adams is also in talks with some big, stay-at-home D-men as he seeks to complete his Devils signings over the next month or so.
“After being injured last year, Mike Prpich wants to prove himself to the fans in Cardiff and the rest of the Elite League,” says Adams.
“He brings a good combination of skill and strength to the team. He’s known for being a player that opposing teams don’t like playing against because of his physical style, while he also has good hands and a quick shot.
“Mike, Derek and Brad will be a force to be reckoned with next season. Not just because of their feisty style, but they both have the ability to score goals and be a big part of our offence.”
Before Prpich was injured, against the Belfast Giants in November, the Devils had won every game in which he played.
In seven outings for the team he scored one goal and added three assists, giving the Devils another attacking option on the second line.
Cardiff have also signed goalie Peter Aubry, who is returning for a second spell with the club. He replaces Phil Osaer, who will be playing in Norway.
Jason Silverthorn has also committed to playing for the Devils again.
Adams, who is stepping back from playing to focus on coaching, now has five imports confirmed with six more to add.
He has contract offers out to a number of potential signings.

Davies among the Brits to sign for Devils

2008-06-13T11:39:02Z

TEENAGE Welsh forward Ben Davies has signed for Elite League Cardiff Devils.

]]> The promising Cardiff-born forward has progressed through the youth ranks within Cardiff Junior Ice Hockey Club and has been playing English National League Hockey.
Davies, 17, has impressed Devils' coach Gerad Adams, who said: "Ben played great when called upon last season.
“For such a young player, he gave us a lot of energy on the third line when we really needed it. Training and playing alongside the professionals on the Elite League team will help him develop and Ben’s shown that he’s eager to learn."
Other British players to sign are Jason Stone, Matt Towe, Lee Cowmeadow, Phil Hill and Neil Francis.
Davies will play for Cardiff at junior and senior levels and his move to the Devils is another sign of a developing closer relationship between the two clubs.
Adams will liaise closely with junior coaches in Cardiff to ensure Davies continues to develop as a player.

Teplitsky and Birbraer still in Cardiff

2008-06-13T11:35:01Z

TYSON Teplitsky and Max Birbraer are still in Cardiff, although they are due to fly out next week.

]]> Defenceman Teplitsky, who has now completed two-year studies at Cardiff Business School, is leaving Cardiff to play in Finnish Elite League hockey, while Birbraer's future plans have not yet been finalised.
The big-hitting winger is wanted by Cardiff Devils, while he also has offers from teams in Kazakhstan, Sweden, Norway and Germany.
"I haven't yet signed for anybody," said Birbraer this week.
He will be linking up with Devils' team-mate Jason Silverthorn when they coach at a hockey school in North America later this month.

Hard-hitting Campbell close to signing for Devils

2008-04-29T08:18:48Z

HARD-hitting forward Derek Campbell has verbally agreed to sign for Cardiff Devils.

]]> Campbell was with Basingstoke Bison last season and Devils coach Gerad Adams said today: "Derek is an Ian McIntyre-style player."
Adams is also in talks with a number of other players in Britain, Europe and North America.
Adams, who returns to Cardiff in May, is also talking to other imports and British players, saying: "I am making good progress and hope to have more news within a couple of weeks."
Which players would you like to see playing for the Devils next season? Let me know.

Devils could have 11 imports for next season

2008-04-29T08:11:34Z

CARDIFF Devils could have an extra import ice hockey player in their line-up for 2008-2009.

]]> New proposals by Elite League owners have given teams who finish fifth or lower the chance to include an extra non-British trained player.
And they will clamp down hard on any teams who break the wage cap with a 15-points penalty plus the loss of one import player for the following season.
The top four from last season Coventry, Sheffield, Nottingham and Belfast cannot have an extra import, while the other six teams can give themselves an edge by going with 11 non-Brits.
That would probably mean looking towards Europe - Cardiff have had Slovakians Mat Petricko and Lucas Komarec in recent seasons - in a bid to beat the rising cost of leading British players.
The proposal on the table for the next board meeting - it hasn't been signed off yet - suggests a lower wage cap and a higher wage cap.
Any team who finished fifth or lower last season - Cardiff were in sixth place - can add an 11th import player if they are within the lower cap.
If they spend above that limit they will be restricted to the usual 10 imports. Top four Coventry Blaze, Sheffield Steelers, Nottingham Panthers and Belfast Giants can only have 10 anyway.
And the League have said they will clamp down on any team who breaks the upper wage limit. They could be punished with a 15-points deduction and be restricted to nine non-British trained players the following season.
"The proposals have not been signed off yet, but they have been put forward and there is merit in the ideas," said Devils' director of hockey Shannon Hope.
"Certainly, we will be within the wage cap and it is hoped that every team sticks to the limit."