The Cardiff Devils have not won a trophy for the past two seasons. Here we look at the team that head coach Pete Russell is putting together to turn their fortunes around for the 2024/25 season.
It is said that a team is only as good as its last line of defence. Given that Cardiff has two excellent netminders, the foundations on which they can build their team. 33-year-old Ben Bowns (92.4% save percentage over 28 games in 2023/24), will be aiming to extend his impressive career by returning for a 9th season with the Devils. ‘Bownsy’ made three appearances for Great Britain at the 2024 IIHF World Championships, and made some incredible saves along the way. Competing for Bowns’ position is Mac Carruth, returning to Wales after a previous stint during the play-off championship-winning 2021/2022 season. The American stopper returns from the Herning Blue Fox of Denmark (89.9% save percentage over 36 appearances) and will be looking to add to his impressive professional career which started when the Chicago Blackhawks drafted him 191st overall in round 7 of the 2010 draft. The competition between Bowns and Carruth should give Russell some headaches, but should eliminate any complacency in either player.
Another key part of a team is the defence. In 2020, the Devils said goodbye to long-time favourite Gleason Fournier. However, they can finally say, ’he’s back!’. After a European tour of Hungary and Italy, Fournier is returning to Cardiff for 2 seasons with the 2-way defenceman expected to be a top pairing player for Pete Russell. In the 2023/2024 season, Fournier played 46 games for Hungarian side Fehervar AV19 whilst scoring 17 points along the way. The 2009 3rd round draft pick will be looking for more success in Cardiff to add to his 2 EIHL titles and AHL Calder Cup winner’s medal. If the past is anything to go by, the Devils #20 will take the league by storm and be a big threat in every building he plays in. Returning alongside him is Playoff semi final goal scorer Cody Donaghey. Last season the 28-year-old played 44 times for Pete Russell racking up 28 points as well. The pair of d-men are familiar though as they played the 2022-2023 season together in Hungary where they finished 8th in the ICEHL. Donaghey is a big body on the ice but also has a lethal shot which can be used on the power play to great effect.
Moving onto the forwards, the Devils announced that fan favourite Riley Brandt would be returning for a 4th season in the EIHL. In the 23/24 campaign, Brandt played 53 games and totalled just 10 points. Brandt’s burning character is epitomised by the fanbase who love to see their ‘wrecking ball’ drop the mitts on the ice. Having played his whole pro career in Cardiff, Brandt knows how things run and will be a leader in the room as fellow teammates will look up to him for his motivation and love for the club. After joining in the middle of the 2021/2022 season, Brandt has won a playoff championship with Cardiff however he hasn’t been able to recreate that in his previous 2 attempts as he has watched both the Giants and Steelers win grand slams. Cardiff have also excelled in their recruitment of new players as Pete Russell has brought in the trustworthy Brett Perlini from Saale Bulls Halle. Perlini scored an incredible 53 points in just 38 games which is just what the Devils need. In the 2024 IIHF World Championships, Perlini played every game scoring 4 points including a game winning goal vs Austria. The ex-Panthers forward will know his new teammates well as he played the 22/23 season at Herning Blue Fox alongside netminder Mac Carruth.
Finally, the blockbuster signing for the Devils so far is 31 year old forward Zach O’Brien. O’Brien is a huge signing for the Devils as his numbers are none to be messed with. Scoring 60 points in 54 games for the Newfoundland Growlers (ECHL) last season, the expectations are set for him in the Welsh capital. The all-time top point scorer for the Newfoundland Growlers will have his work cut out for him as EIHL teams will pick his name up straight away when talking about the Devils. From his great shot, O’Brien cannot be left with any space in the offensive zone as he will find the back of the net if he is. The Canadian centre is also a winner, having won the AHL Calder cup and being on plenty of all-star teams he will be hoping to add more to his list of honours come April.
Also returning is Great Britain international Ben Davies. As he heads into his testimonial year, the 33 year old centre will no doubt play a key role in the Devil's fourth line and on the penalty kill. Davies’ contribution doesn’t often come in the points but in the work rate and grind he puts in every night. In the 2023/2024 season, Davies played 51 games scoring 12 points.
Russel has built various successful teams in the past including a gold medal winning team GB and the Cardiff Devils 24/25 season. Pete Russell’s roster is full of experience and top-quality players, which is what will be needed to succeed next season. With 12 more signings still to come, it will be interesting to see how the Devils do in September.
Wrote by Will Harris
Proofread by Calan Yule and an anonymous reader (they wish to be unnamed)
Edited by Calan Yule, Will Harris and an anonymous reader (they wish to be unnamed)
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