Matt Finish For Cardiff Devils On Opening Elite League Weekend

Canadian forward Matt Pope is loving life in Cardiff Bay.

Pope made the move from Japan to South Wales for the 2017-18 season and says: “It’s great to play in front of Devils fans in Cardiff Bay.

“I get fired up when they are really getting behind their team. They lift the atmosphere and players love that.

“Our fans give Ice Arena Wales an atmosphere which is really cool to play in. Devils supporters should be proud of what they do and the atmosphere they create.”

The man from Langley, British Columbia will play for Devils in their opening Elite League match of the season against Sheffield Steelers away on Saturday (7pm) plus a home clash with Nottingham Panthers the following day.

Panthers visit Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff Bay for a League on Sunday (6pm).

Pope has played professional hockey in North America, Denmark, Italy and Japan, having joined Tohoku Free Blades last season.

He gained American Hockey League experience with Binghampton Senators, Manitoba Moose, Hershey Bears and San Antonio Rampage earlier in his career, while he opted on a move from Asia to South Wales for the new season.

Pope knew Welsh club Cardiff Devils was the right club for him after chatting to head coach Andrew Lord by phone.

“Lordo rang me and six hours later I signed,” says Pope. “I was talking to other teams, but the passion he brings to playing and coaching is something else.

“I knew it was the right decision to play for Devils. They are a winning organisation.

“My aim now is to make Andrew Lord happy he brought me to Cardiff. I have joined a team who expect nothing less than to win trophies.”

Pope is playing alongside Sean Bentivoglio and Joey Martin, a trio who have the skill and potential to be one of the best forward lines in British hockey.

There are early signs of chemistry, while Pope describes himself as a ‘jack of all trades, master of none’.

“I like to finish checks, enjoy the physical part of hockey, I love to score and pass,” he says. “I consider myself a jack of all trades master of none because I would not call myself a pure tough guy, an out-and-out goalscorer or set-up guy or a pure defensive forward. I try to be pretty reliable in every aspect and help the team in any way I can.

“My linemates, Benti and Joey, are players who balance my style out. I played against Benti in Italy, but this is the first time I’ve seen Joey. He’s a phenomenal player and it’s a pleasure to play alongside both of them.

“It’s also great to be in a country again where people speak English. Cardiff’s a good place to be and we have a great group of guys in our locker room.

“It’s been fun playing in the Champions Hockey League. I didn’t know quite what to expect, but we did better as a team as we went along.

“Hopefully in our next couple of matches (v Vaxjo Lakers, home and away) we’ll step things up again.”

Cardiff Devils Red Army have a coach going to Sheffield on Saturday and they can be contacted by messaging them on facebook, twitter @Red_Army_Travel or email them on [email protected]

Prices are adults £38, concession £35, children £19.

Tickets for Sunday’s home match against Panthers are selling fast and information is available on 0800 0842 666 or book in person at Ice Arena Wales.