Introduction
Cardiff born Owen Griffiths, grew up through the ranks of the Cardiff Devils organisation, moving to semi-professional hockey in Swindon then debuting professionally in Manchester. It is safe to say Owen Griffiths knows British ice hockey very well. Growing up in a city with a successful ice hockey team and a struggling football team it was no surprise that Owen would play one of these sports and he chose ice hockey. Moving through the ranks and levels of ice hockey; he now finds himself landing a contract with the Manchester Storm.
Image by Tony Sargent
Time with the Cardiff Devils
Owen Griffiths grew up playing for the Cardiff Devils organisation whether it was playing with the Cardiff Devils youth team or Cardiff Fire (Cardiff Devils affiliate team) Griffiths made an impact. When he played for the under 16 and 18 Cardiff Devil teams, Griffiths demonstrated great offensive awareness and shooting prowess as he regularly contributed for his team whether it was great passes leading to goals or wonder shots beating the goalie at all angles. He would play 65 games with the U16/18 teams putting up a solid 138 points (Pts) which meant a point per game (PPG) average of 2.12 which for a youngster is promising.
Time with the Guildford Flames
In 2019 Owen Griffiths would make his full time professional debut with the Guildford Flames, the team he would play with for the next four seasons excluding the covid year. During his four year tenure with the Guildford Flames, Griffiths managed to cement himself as a key homegrown player in the league. Stats aren’t always important when you look deeply into a players game and this is the case for Griffiths as he has time and time again shown how strong his passing ability is and his offensive read despite not putting up more than 11 assists a season, he was a key player for the 3rd and 4th line allowing assistance when required.
Move to Manchester Storm
A move to the Manchester Storm is a smart one for both the club and Owen Griffiths as the Storm prepare for a new era under their new head coach, adding key homegrown players like Griffiths is important to have a solid 4th line where they can develop their youngsters like Connor Lee. Griffiths will carry on being an offensive dean on the ice, teaching younger players how to read plays better alongside this he will bring his passing prowess to each game allowing scoring opportunities.
Conclusion
Owen Griffiths' journey through British ice hockey is a testament to his dedication and skill. From his early days with the Cardiff Devils youth teams to his solid tenure with the Guildford Flames, Griffiths has consistently demonstrated his offensive awareness and passing abilities. His move to the Manchester Storm marks a significant step in his career, where his experience and leadership will be invaluable to the team's development under their new head coach. As Griffiths continues to mentor young talents like Connor Lee and contribute his playmaking skills, the Storm are poised to benefit greatly from his presence. Fans can look forward to seeing Griffiths make a lasting impact in Manchester, both on and off the ice.
Author of Article: Calan Yule
Editor: Calan Yule
Proofread By: Will Harris
© EIHL News Central
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