With plenty of time to spare, head coach Brodie Dupont has completed the Cardiff Devils’ 2022-23 roster. He approaches the upcoming campaign, his first since retiring as a player, with a bounce to his stride after leading the Welsh outfit to a remarkable playoff title last term.
Speaking to British Ice Hockey moments after final buzzer at the Motorpoint Arena, the 35-year-old expressed his sheer delight at Cardiff’s threepeat.
“The whole year, we believed that we deserved to win some type of trophy,” Dupont said as his team celebrated on the ice. “Losing the final of the Challenge Cup stung and we just wanted to redeem ourselves today. Belfast gave us a good run: in the first period, I felt like it was all them. I’m just so proud of the guys.”
For Cardiff, the question is simple: are they strong enough to compete for silverware in the Elite League, Challenge Cup, and Continental Cup? We’ll soon know the answer.
Cardiff Devils 2022-23 Roster
Goaltenders
Ben Bowns: entering his age-31 season, Bowns is back with the Devils after two seasons playing on the continent. He made 25 appearances in the Slovak Extraliga last time out, upholding an impressive .909 save percentage. He’s set to start 2022-23 in control of the crease.
- Age: 31
- Nation(s): Great Britain
- Height / Weight: 6-foot-2 / 212 lbs
- Catches: Left
Taran Kozun: the Nipawin-born netminder was a first-class backup for Cardiff last season, putting together a .911 save percentage through 18 Elite League appearances. Kozun has plenty of experience, including time in the Western Hockey League, ECHL, and USports. The former WHL All-Star is expected to reprise his No. 2 role, but will compete with Bowns for starts.
- Age: 27
- Nation(s): Canada
- Height / Weight: 6-foot-1 / 174 lbs
- Catches: Left
Defencemen
New Signings:
Marcus Crawford: the former Grand Rapids Griffin is a puck-moving defenceman with an eye for goal. Crawford found the net 11 times in 2021-22, ending his final ECHL season with 52 points in 63 games for the Kansas City Mavericks. He has plenty of upside and is likely to feature on Cardiff’s second pair.
- Age: 25
- Nation(s): Canada
- Height / Weight: 5-foot-11 / 198 lbs
- Shoots: Right
Sam Jardine: after two seasons away, 28-year-old Jardine is returning to Viola Arena. He spent 2020-21 in the ECHL with former Devils head coach Andrew Lord, quarterbacking the Greenville Swamp Rabbits to success, before joining Liiga’s HIFK the following season.
“I thought getting Sam back in Cardiff was a long shot, but to be honest, there wasn’t much to discuss: he called us and wanted to come back,” Dupont said of the Canadian’s return. “He explained how much he enjoyed Cardiff and just wanted to be in a place where he can have an impact and where he can have a chance to win.”
His return is quite the coup.
- Age: 28
- Nation(s): Canada
- Height / Weight: 6-foot-2 / 209 lbs
- Shoots: Left
Blake Thompson: 1992-born Thompson has taken an unusual path to the Elite League, building his career up from the third division of the NCAA. With 66 points in 240 ECHL appearances, the 6-foot-1 blueliner operates with a defence-first mentality.
- Age: 29
- Nation(s): Canada
- Height / Weight: 6-foot-1 / 205 lbs
- Shoots: Left
Returning Players:
Josh Batch: after a decade in Cardiff, it’s no surprise that Batch is back with the Devils. He was crowned as the club’s Defenceman of 2021-22, thanks to his heavy hitting and shot from the point.
“Batchy has proven to be a solid all-round defenceman,” Dupont said. “I was so impressed with what he brought to the team last season. He played his best in the big games and when we had injuries, he stepped up and played even more minutes than normal.”
- Age: 31
- Nation(s): Great Britain
- Height / Weight: 6-foot-4 / 220 lbs
- Shoots: Left
Mark Louis: excluding the Covid-19 interrupted 2020-21 season, Louis has been a Devil since 2016-17. He’s made 221 appearances for the Welsh side, registering 37 points (six goals, 31 assists) and making his mark with fearless defending.
- Age: 35
- Nation(s): Canada
- Height / Weight: 6-foot-4
- Shoots: Right
Mark Richardson: was there ever any doubt that Richardson would be returning to Cardiff Bay? No, not really. The 1986-born blueliner has been an ever-present member of the Devils since 2009 and remains a savvy player capable of contributing at both ends of the ice.
- Age: 35
- Nation(s): Great Britain
- Height / Weight: 6-foot / 194 lbs
- Shoots: Right
Forwards:
New Signings:
Josh Brittain: the aptly-named Brittain is gearing up for his first season in the UK. A towering forward known for playing with a physical edge, he’s destined to attract attention in the Elite League.
- Age: 32
- Nation(s): Canada
- Height / Weight: 6-foot-5 / 227 lbs
- Role: Left Wing/Centre
- Shoots: Left
Joey Martin: the former captain returns! Martin enjoyed six seasons with Cardiff before the pandemic but spent 2020-21 and 2021-22 playing on the continent. He returns ahead of his age-33 season and is expected to figure in the Devils’ middle six.
- Age: 33
- Nation(s): Canada
- Height / Weight: 5-foot-10 / 185 lbs
- Role: Centre
- Shoots: Left
Ryan Penny: “He caught our eye last season with the Blaze and he came highly recommended from Justin Crandall who had great things to say about his work ethic and about his character, two things that we really value here in Cardiff,” Dupont said of Penny.
- Age: 27
- Nation(s): Canada
- Height / Weight: 6-f00t / 192 lbs
- Role: Centre/Left Wing
- Shoots: Left
Returning Players:
Riley Brandt: despite parachuting into the Elite League halfway through the season, Brandt made a significant impact. He registered four points (two goals, two assists) in 27 games and became an immediate fan favourite thanks to his fearless defensive efforts.
“Last season was his first-year pro and he is just going to get better,” Dupont explained. “He hits like a train and because of his size, he isn’t going to get called for elbowing or checking to the head. I have never seen a player run over guys like that before and the fans absolutely love it.”
- Age: 25
- Nation(s): Canada
- Height / Weight: 5-foot-7 / 170 lbs
- Role: Forward
- Shoots: Right
Jake Coughler: another midyear signing in 2021-22, Coughler hit the ground running for the Devils. He embarked on quite the scoring run to end the season, contributing 39 points (24 goals, 15 points) in 37 regular- and post-season games. He’s expected to slot into Cardiff’s top-six as a result.
- Age: 26
- Nation(s): Canada
- Height / Weight: 6-foot-1 / 187 lbs
- Role: Centre
- Shoots: Right
Trevor Cox: a former Medicine Hat Tiger, Cox has been a consistent producer at every level he’s played at. He continued his fine form in his debut season with Cardiff, notching 58 points (18 goals, 40 assists) in 54 regular-season appearances. The 1995-born forward was also prolific in the playoffs, leading Dupont’s side to an unlikely championship.
- Age: 26
- Nation(s): Canada
- Height / Weight: 5-foot-8 / 165 lbs
- Role: Centre/Left Wing
- Shoots: Left
Justin Crandall: a clutch performer in the playoffs, Crandall has signed up for another season in Cardiff. He wracked up 57 points (12 goals, 45 assists) last term, demonstrating his playmaking credentials from the wing.
- Age: 30
- Nation(s): USA
- Height / Weight: 5-foot-11 / 190 lbs
- Role: Right Wing
- Shoots: Right
Ben Davies: “Benny brings energy and emotion to every game,” Dupont said of Davies’ return. “He plays so hard, he’s one of our fastest skaters and one of the top penalty killers in the league.”
Quite. The Devils were the Elite League’s best penalty killers in 2021-22 (86.25%), with Cardiff-born Davies playing a crucial role. He’ll reprise his special teams role from puck-drop of the next campaign.
- Age: 31
- Nation(s): Great Britain
- Height / Weight: 5-foot-8 / 179 lbs
- Role: Centre/Right Wing
- Shoots: Right
Sam Duggan: 1998-born Duggan is one of Team GB’s most promising players. He was a key contributor from Cardiff’s bottom six last time out and is expected to push for more ice time in the season to come.
- Age: 24
- Nation(s): Great Britain
- Height / Weight: 6-foot-2 / 198 lbs
- Role: Centre/Right Wing
- Shoots: Right
Brodie Reid: a former Kansas City Maverick, Reid was Cardiff’s most effective forwards last season. He put together a 59-point season (31 goals, 28 assists), including 10 strikes on the powerplay.
“Last season was a great experience and I never considered going anywhere else,” he said in a club press release. “My family and I absolutely loved our time in Cardiff, and we are all excited to be back again.
- Age: 32
- Nation(s): Canada
- Height / Weight: 6-foot / 187 lbs
- Role: Right Wing
- Shoots: Right
Cole Sandford: he couldn’t say ‘no’. After scoring the best goal of the playoffs (pictured), Sandford is back for another spin in the Elite League. The Vernon-born sniper enjoyed a productive career in junior and collegiate hockey before making the jump to Europe. After providing 47 points (22 goals, 25 assists) in 51 games, he’s due to reprise his top-six role.
- Age: 26
- Nation(s): Canada
- Height / Weight: 5-foot-8 / 163 lbs
- Role: Right Wing/Centre
- Shoots: Right
Josh Waller: another promising homegrown, Waller made his Team GB debut this May, chipping in with 12 goals and 17 assists in 59 games for the Devils last season. He’s slated to feature in the middle-six next term.
- Age: 23
- Nation(s): Great Britain
- Height / Weight: 5-foot-10 / 174 lbs
- Role: Left Wing
- Shoots: Left
Two-Way Players:
Earlier this offseason, Cardiff entered an affiliation deal with the Bristol Pitbulls. The agreement has seen the clubs sign three players to two-way contracts, allowing them to play and train with both organisations. The following players are involved:
Will Kerlin, Netminder:
- Age: 21
- Nation(s): Great Britain
- Height / Weight: 6-foot-1 / 194 lbs
- Catches: Left
Edward Bradley, Defenceman:
- Age: 21
- Nation(s): Great Britain
- Height / Weight: 6-foot-1 / 187 lbs
- Shoots: Right
Reece Kelly, Defenceman:
- Age: 21
- Nation(s): Great Britain
- Height / Weight: 6-foot-2 / 216 lbs
- Shoots: Right
2021-22 Cardiff Devils at a Glance
League Position and Record: 3rd, 35-15-4
Playoff Performance: Champions
Leading Scorer: Brodie Reid, 59 points (31 goals, 28 assists) in 52 games
Challenge Cup Performance: Runners-up to the Belfast Giants
