Devils Reassemble For Pre-Season Training Camp

By Matthew Burgess

The Cardiff Devils returned to the ice for the first time on Monday morning for the start of their pre-season training camp.

19 full-time players, as well as four players signed on two-way contracts, checked in at Ice Arena Wales as the Devils look to build on last season’s Play-Off winning campaign.

Goaltender Taran Kozun is the only absentee this week, with the team confirming he is due back next Monday following a family wedding.

Head coach Brodie Dupont and assistant Neil Francis will put the 23-man training camp roster through their paces culminating with a back-to-back exhibition series against the Belfast Giants.

This evening (Tuesday) the team will hold an open training session in an event exclusive to current season ticket holders.

The Devils have advised season ticket holders to arrive at 5:30pm with the team hitting the ice at 6pm and the opportunity afterwards to meet with the players afterwards.

The Devils then host Giants on Friday night in Cardiff Bay before all 23 players make the trip to Belfast the following day.

The Devils roster for the 2022/23 season features seven new additions including the returning trio of Joey Martin, Ben Bowns and Sam Jardine.

Tickets for all home pre-season games and the season home opener against the Manchester Storm on Sunday 11 September are on sale via the Cardiff Devils official website.

In: Ben Bowns (G), Edward Bradley* (D), Josh Brittain (F), Marcus Crawford (D), Sam Jardine (D), Will Kerlin* (G) Joey Martin (F), Ryan Penny (F), Blake Thompson (D), Reece Kelly* (D)

Out: Mac Carruth (G), Stephen Dixon (F), Josh Lammon (F), Brandon McNally (F), Marc McNulty (D)

Re-signed: Josh Batch (D), Riley Brandt (F), Justin Crandall (F), Jake Coughler (F), Trevor Cox (F), Ben Davies (F), Sam Duggan (F), Bayley Harewood* (F), Taran Kozun (G), Mark Louis (F), Brodie Reid (F), Mark Richardson (F), Cole Sanford (F), Josh Waller (F)

* denotes player on two-way contract

PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE
Fri 19 Aug vs Belfast Giants (19.30)
Sat 20 Aug @ Belfast Giants (19.00)
Sat 27 Aug vs Manchester Storm (19.00)
Sun 28 Aug @ Manchester Storm (17.30)
Sat 3 Sep @ Nottingham Panthers (19.00)
Sun 4 Sep vs Nottingham Panthers (16.00)

ELITE LEAGUE OPENING WEEKEND
Sat 10 Sep @ Sheffield Steelers (19.00)
Sun 11 Sep vs Manchester Storm (19.00) – HOME OPENER

Featured image courtesy of Cardiff Devils