Cardiff Devils Double – Two More Signings Announced

Cardiff Devils have added two young players to their roster for 2019-20.

Toms Rutkis and netminder Jordan Lawday have both signed two-way contracts which allow them to play for Swindon Wildcats and Milton Keynes Lightning respectively.

Head coach Andrew Lord said: “Both players trained with us throughout last season last year and we are excited to have them with us for 2019-20. 

“Rutkis is on the verge of cracking into the line-up full time and has had another great summer in the gym and on the ice. He has once again improved a ton.

“Lawday is a solid netminder and benefited training with us the last couple of years.  We are excited to see what he does in Milton Keynes this year.”

Rutkis was born in Latvia, but has played all his hockey in the UK. He has played regularly for Wildcats over the last 5 years.  

In 32 games with the Wildcats last season, he scored 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points. He also played 37 games for the Devils in 2018-19 scoring three times and adding two assists.  

Lawday is expected to be Lightning’s starting goalie for the new season, having played 40 matches with a save rate of 91.4% last season. 

Both players will train full-time with Devils, working around the training schedules of Wildcats and Lightning. 

Cardiff Devils recruitment

Signings: (21 players announced – 13 imports, 8 British – maximum 14 imports can ice in any one EIHL game):

Head coach: Andrew Lord

Netminder: Ben Bowns, Thomas Murdy, Jordan Lawday.

Defence: Sean McMonagle (import), Mark Richardson, Mark Louis (import), Gleason Fournier (import), Bryce Reddick (import)

Forwards: Sean Bentivoglio (import), Masi Marjamaki (import), Blair Riley (import), Stephen Dixon (import), Matthew Myers, Matt Pope (import), Mike McNamee (import), Sam Duggan, Joey Martin (import), Joey Haddad (import), Charles Linglet (import), Josh Batch, Toms Rutkis.

Cardiff Devils pre-season and Champions League schedule:

August

Saturday 10 Cardiff Devils v Fehervar (Viola Arena, Cardiff Bay, 7pm) 

Sunday 11: Cardiff Devils v Fehervar (Viola Arena, Cardiff Bay, 6pm) 

Saturday 17: Nottingham Panthers v Cardiff Devils (in Nottingham, 7pm)

Sunday 18 Cardiff Devils v Nottingham Panthers (Viola Arena, Cardiff Bay, 6pm)

Sunday 25 Cardiff Devils V MAC Budapest (Viola Arena, Cardiff Bay, 6pm)

Friday 30 Cardiff Devils v Mountfield HK (Champions Hockey League fixture, Viola Arena, 7.30pm)

September

Sunday 1 Cardiff Devils v Graz 99ers (Champions Hockey League fixture, Viola Arena, 6pm)

Thursday 5 Mountfield HK v Cardiff Devils (Champions Hockey League fixture, 5pm)

Saturday 7 Graz 99ers v Cardiff Devils (Champions Hockey League fixture, 6.15pm)

October

Tuesday 8 Frolunda Indians v Devils (Champions Hockey League fixture, 5pm)

Tuesday 15 Devils v Frolunda Indians (Champions Hockey League fixture, Viola Arena, 7.30pm)

Single game tickets for pre-season and Champions Hockey League matches are now available along with the even-game ticket pack.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE or call us on 0800 0842 666

The 7-game pack, covering all four pre-season and three CHL home fixtures, offer big discounts and no service charges.