Cardiff Devils Search For New Signing In Europe And North America

Cardiff Devils are ready to strengthen their team, but only if the right player becomes available.

Player-coach Andrew Lord, Steve King and his fellow owners, club staff plus contacts scouring Europe and North America in search of the right player.

Lord will only move for a player with the right qualities as a player and a man who will fit into the Devils group over the last two months of the season.

Elite League leaders Cardiff might have moved to bring in a new signing anyway, but the ankle injury sustained by captain and playmaker Jake Morissette has made a move even more important.

The ideal player would be a high quality impact forward. Devils have two outstanding British net minders plus a 6-men defensive unit with the versatile Chris Culligan able to cover on the blue line if needed.

The Elite League signing deadline is February 15 and Lord confirmed after the 5-3 win against Manchester Storm that there is nothing imminent on that front, saying: “It is extremely quiet, more so than I have known it before at this stage, in terms of players perhaps becoming available.

“We have not made any decisions, but we always keep our finger on the pulse in terms of the player market anyway. That will not change.”

Sheffield Steelers have signed Canadian winger Geoff Walker from Italian club Fassa Falcons. He was top scorer in the Alps League with 20 goals and 52 points.

Devils, too, talked to Walker’s representatives, but he eventually signed for Steelers.

Braehead Clan have also added to their team, signing Walker’s Fassa Falcons club-mate Stefan Della Rovere, who is also a Canadian left-winger.

Many clubs around Europe are looking for new signings, some from Elite League, but Devils will ensure their scouting network is at full capacity over the next week or so.

Devils are unable to play on the big rink at Ice Arena Wales on Tuesday because staff are preparing for the Wales v New Zealand Silver Ferns netball internationals.

Lord will take his team out onto the smaller second rink at the IAW, while they fly to Northern Ireland on Wednesday morning.

Devils take on Belfast Giants in their Challenge Cup semi-final second leg tie, having been edged out 5-4 in the first game. The winners will play Sheffield or Nottingham in the final at the IAW in Cardiff Bay next month.

This weekend Devils travel to Coventry Blaze on Saturday (7pm) before entertaining Nottingham Panthers at Ice Arena Wales the next evening (6pm).

Ticket information is available from the club’s official website or via the hotline on 0800 0842 666.