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American defenceman Tom Parisi has stunned Cardiff Devils by quitting ice hockey only three days after arriving in Wales.
Fast-skating Parisi, seen as a replacement for the outstanding Andrew Hotham, was introduced to Devils fans before their pre-season match against HK Poprad on Sunday.
He skated with his new team-mates three times at Ice Arena Wales and then made the shock decision to end his playing career at the age of 25.
Parisi booked a flight back to North America and has already left Cardiff.
“I want to apologise to the Devils Organisation and their fans for doing this, but my heart is not into hockey any more,” he said.
“It isn’t anything to do with the team or the league or the city, I just want to move on outside of hockey.
Difficult news as Thomas Parisi decides to fly back home & quit hockey
Full story here: https://t.co/5fiDeisUqT— Cardiff Devils (@cardiffdevils) August 23, 2018
“I should not have signed with the Devils without being 100 per cent committed to the team. I am sorry and wish them well for the season.”
Andrew Lord admitted he is ‘shocked’ by Parisi’s decision and the head coach has already launched a Worldwide search for a replacement.
That won’t be easy because Hotham set high standards as one of the best D-men in Elite League and Devils were delighted to have signed Parisi from the Montreal Canadiens organisation.
I spoke to Parisi outside the home dressing room after the match against Poprad and he came across as enthusiastic about hockey and up for the challenge.
https://twitter.com/cardiffdevils/status/1032542712954793984
He landed at Heathrow at 11am on Sunday morning, arrived in Cardiff at 2.30pm and carried out the ceremonial pre-match puck drop.
“I am shocked, that is the only way to describe this,” said Lord.
“He arrived on Sunday and he seemed like he was really looking forward to getting things going and a fresh start after a couple of difficult seasons in the AHL where he didn’t enjoy the game all that much.
“I was really looking forward to the opportunity to get him excited about hockey again.
“He asked to speak to me Wednesday afternoon and told me that he just didn’t want to play hockey anymore and that the last couple of years have worn him out.
“I’m still really happy with the recruitment and our overall team and I believe we are in good shape going forward.”
Lord and general manager Todd Kelman are now finding out which players of a similar quality are still available.
Devils are still confident in their squad and Lord is preparing his players as normal for two pre-season games against Coventry Blaze this weekend and the start of the Champions Hockey League next week.
Captain Jake Morissette and his team play at Ice Arena Wales on Saturday (7pm) before the teams meet again at Coventry’s Skydome on Sunday.
Cardiff Devils roster:
Netminders: Ben Bowns, Thomas Murdy.
Defencemen: Ben Blood (import), Bryce Reddick (import), Mark Louis (import), Gleason Fournier (import), Mark Richardson.
Forwards: Charles Linglet (import) Josh Batch, Stephen Dixon (import), Toms Rutkis, Mike Hedden (import), Layne Ulmer (import), Matthew Myers, Justin Faryna (import), Jake Morissette (import), Sean Bentivoglio (import), Craig Moore, Matt Pope (import), Joey Martin (import), Joey Haddad (import).
Tickets for Saturday’s home match against Coventry are available ONLINE HERE, call 0800 0842 666 or book in person at the Arena reception.
Cardiff Devils early fixtures and results list, including pre-season matches and Champions League group fixtures.
August
Saturday 11: Nottingham Panthers 5, Cardiff Devils 5
Sunday 12: Cardiff Devils 3, Nottingham Panthers 6 (Panthers won 11-8 on aggregate)
Saturday 18: Cardiff Devils 3, HK Poprad 2
Sunday 19: Cardiff Devils 4, HK Poprad 5
Saturday 25: Cardiff Devils v Coventry Blaze (7pm, pre-season)
Sunday 26: Coventry Blaze v Cardiff Devils (5.15pm, pre-season)
Thursday 30: Cardiff Devils v Red Bull Salzburg (7.30pm, Champions League)
