Cardiff Devils Official Podcast

Devils Insider Summer Series - Episode 4 - Testimonial Man

• Cardiff Devils

Share episode

Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.

0:00 | 1:06:28

On this episode of Devils Insider Summer Series we celebrate the testimonial of a Devils legend in Ben Bowns. We hear from Bownsy, and Dan and Gaz chat about his career in Cardiff, the legacy he's built, and about the celebration of a decade in Devils red on Saturday 20th

SPEAKER_03

Today's podcast is brought to you by Minerva Hearing. Hear the cheers, protect your ears. Shumai A. Kroisel. Hello, everybody, and welcome to a testimonial special episode of Devils Inside It. Dan Ruther, alongside Gareth Hewish. Unfortunately, O'Neil Francis tonight, he's away for some extra top secret training that we're not going to allow to tell you about, but uh we're going to endeavour to carry on without our third member of the trio. Gaz, how are you doing?

SPEAKER_01

I'm very good. Thank you, Dan. It's uh a bit of a different way to do this. We're in two different capital cities, uh, but uh coming together to uh talk about a great celebration that will happen in the Vindico shortly.

SPEAKER_03

Exactly. Yeah, we're uh we're we're we're powering on through despite the fact I have gone over the border, but uh yeah, we'll get going. And and like we said, it's uh it's a very special week, uh a week full of excitement and celebration. And uh Ben Bounce is getting his testimonial, and uh I mean I thought, considering that was the fact that we do a whole episode dedicated to the Devil's Netminder and the Devil's number 33. So what more could you want from it? But uh yeah, I mean, I mean, where do you start? First of all, the testimonial coming up, and and and what a what an occasion this is, obviously incredibly well deserved for Bouncey. And uh yeah, fantastic 10 years uh over the last 12 in in red for for for Ben.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, absolutely. Feels like it's uh becoming a bit of an annual thing, isn't it? We have a testimonial and it's uh a special thing. You you shouldn't really take them for granted. It's amazing how many we've managed to have when you think about it over the last uh few years, a testament to how special this this club is and how special the players are that uh are able to uh partake in one and and gain one and have their sort of day in the sun, as it were. And uh this one will be uh as special as the others. Uh uh Bouncy has uh been just unbelievable over his time in Devil's Colours. And uh I think when he first signed all those years ago, there was always expectation, there was always hope that he would turn in to be uh you know a bona fide British number one, but what we've come to see over that time is the past anyone's wildest uh expectations or dreams that uh of what he would be. It's uh it's really is a remarkable story.

SPEAKER_03

It really is, and and and we'll we' we we are gonna chat a little bit later on about about the the early years of Ben Mans. We're gonna talk a lot about his career and stuff in red, and and my word is there are a lot to get through, but uh just constant on this weekend, you know, you you see the list of names that uh that are on that testimonial list, some devil's heroes in there. Jake Morrisette, Matthew Myers, Andrew Lord is the uh obviously the the the big name on the ticket as well. It's great to see Lordo coming back to Cardiff and a whole host of others. And uh I think you know, if there was ever a guy you want to celebrate, it's it's it's it's Bouncy, and it's good to see that those names are all going to be flooding back into Cardiff.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, it really is. And I I think the other side of it is I've really enjoyed uh the spread of the attendees from different parts of Bouncey's life as well. You know, he's got his childhood friend uh who they used to go and watch the Steelers together until Ben grew up. Um, you know, you get lots of teammates from that time where he was coming through junior in and around, you know, Hull and Sheffield and things. His mentor, Parsi Reitman, uh, is coming. I and I just love that. I think it's it seems to be a real love letter from Ben to his career. Um, and the fact that so many people have taken time to to come over and you know be a part of it shows exactly the type of you know respect that he commands in the British game, that the type of respect he's earned in the British game. And I think that's what I'm looking forward to the most. That that spread across all of the different influences he's had uh in his career uh coming together. Uh really, yeah, really sort of special lists, special group of guys, and I'm sure Devils fans will love seeing a lot of people back on the ice.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, exactly. I mean, well, one of the guys I think you allude to there is Davey Phillips, a guy who's never played in the Devil's Jersey, but he's coming down. And and you look at that list, and it's a lot of guys who clearly will go out of their way to do things for for Ben Bounce because he has done the same in return, and and it is deserving of this celebration, I think, because you know, yeah, anyone who commits 10 years of their life to staying with the same organization, but also a whole career to to British hockey and becoming an ambassador of it, I think it's worth celebrating. And yeah, I think it's it's it's great to see the list of names, including uh, you know, Steve King on there as well, which uh that's gonna be good to see Todd Kelman, Franny, of course. So it's uh it's a good range of guys as well.

SPEAKER_01

It is, and it's a special kind of relationship that Steve and and Ben have. Um we were made a lot of promises when uh the new ownership took over that you know it was gonna be a club that that's invested in, and it's not just investment in money, it's investment in time, and the amount of investment that they put in Bouncy in those early years, and crucially the drive that Ben had to grab it with both hands and say, Yeah, I am gonna spend my summers in Calgary, you know, getting on the ice and you know, soaking up as much time there and learning from different people. And the fact that, you know, Steve King saw something in Ben so quickly to get that in place is a big, big reason of why Ben's been so successful and the devils have been so successful over that time. So it'll be great to to see those two uh share the Vindico ice together, and I'm sure that'll be a special moment for both of them.

SPEAKER_03

It really will, yeah. And and and we'll hear from Bounsey shortly, and he's he's he speaks a little bit in his interview about how much work has gone into this as well. And and I always feel that that those who get testimonies were a little hard done by because you've got to organize it all, and it's a celebration to yourself. And and Bounsey, uh as you know, he's always been, is incredibly self-deprecating, is so humble and about it all as well. And and you get the impression that he's he's I think humbled is the probably the best word for it by by the reaction that he's had, but also he's excited to to see all these guys.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, he is, and uh, I think uh another thing we need to sort of mention here is uh and I've Ben will touch on it in his interview as well, is the the team around him that has helped uh not just arrange this testimonial, but have been with him through the whole journey. I mean, I shudder to think how many cars the Bounce family must have gone through, going up and down, up and down all these years to support him, because you always see the Bounce family in the stands, not just at home games, but away games as well. They must have seen more devils games than anyone else over the uh past decade. And again, you know, I don't think it's any surprise, the correlation between success and the people around you, and uh it'll be another uh great moment for for the Bounds family as a whole um on Saturday.

SPEAKER_03

I do want to quickly actually ask you as well, because I I started coming to the hockey a year or two after Bounds here joined the Devils, so I haven't seen the whole career as it were, but you of course have have been around a little bit longer and saw Bounds even before he joined the Devils and stuff. You're gonna be announcing, I believe, on uh on Saturday as well. And and from your point of view, this is you know, you've seen this whole career, and this is very, very deserved.

SPEAKER_01

It it is. It's um like I said in my intro, it it's amazing to think just how much uh uh Ben has achieved since uh he joined the Devils, and it's strange he was uh someone that was signed pre-ownership, he was one of only a handful of people that had a contract before that all went through. And you know, Franny's told a story many times about the fact that uh Ben was on holiday, kind of waiting anxiously to get a call that was either gonna strip the uh opportunity away from him or kind of run it through. And but to think about that, Ben had bet on himself already. The devils were not in a great place, but I think he saw he obviously knows the history of the club before he joined, he obviously knows that you know the the type of teams that the devils have had or did have it around those times, but he bet on himself to make a a little jump above where where he was in hell, maybe at the time, to kind of say, Yeah, I'm gonna be a number one somewhere. I I I'm gonna go somewhere that uh pre-ownership did at times have a little sniff of a trophy here and there. Um, and I think you have to commend, and I think that's a really good insight into the mentality of Ben Vans is he was confident in himself that he could improve the Carter Tebles. And I think uh the conversations in and around the time that the the ownership was taking place and and Franny and Todd got to speak to him, I think that came through as well. And boy oh boy, was everyone right? Was Ben right? Was the ownership right? And was everyone who was excited to see him? Because there was uh people, there were people around that time who were quite openly saying, You will not win the league with a British goalie. That that was uh, you know, they weren't scared of saying that, they didn't see that as a you know wild thing to to kind of hang your hat on. And I will sort of I guess we'll stumble upon it, you know, through the interview and talk about Bouncy. But the story of Ben Baum's career for me is always doubt. Whenever there's doubt thrown his way, he gobbles it up, spits it out, and throws it straight back in people's faces and says, No, actually, uh, I I'm this good. Uh I achieve these things, I win things, I am the best in my position. And uh it just takes a special kind of mentality, you know, a special kind of sportsman uh to do that. And we see him do it across the Devils, we see him do it across GB. But those early times, I think everyone was excited that Ben was still given that chance at that time. I think devils fans, the feeling of that time was it is uh a good bet to go this way. It it is a good choice to see if he is as good as uh you know the potential everyone says is they uh is there. And like I say, it it did. It all paid off, and uh, you know, straight from day one, he looked comfortable in his own skin, he looked comfortable in devil's colours and hasn't looked back.

SPEAKER_03

He really hasn't, and uh, you know, we could go on all day, but we were I was lucky to chat to him, and I think probably now is the best time to to hear exactly what he said because you you mentioned getting an insight into his mentality. Well, this is this is a heck of an insight, so enjoy this one, guys. Massive welcome on Devil's Insider to our testimonial man for this week's episode. It is Ben Bounds Bansley. Thank you so much for chatting to me. How are you doing? Good to see you.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, not too bad. Thanks.

SPEAKER_03

It's uh it's great to chat this week, and and you know, obviously, this weekend coming is is the testimonial and then lots to look forward to. And how are you feeling ahead of it all?

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, it's uh it's been stressful. I think probably even more stressful for my mum because she's been doing a lot of the background stuff. Um, and then I've kind of just been confirming everything she's asked and trying to leave years with players. And uh, I think anyone who's worked with hockey players before know that we're not the most um on it at times, let's just say. So I've I've been kind of leaving stuff to the last minute and then rushing to get it done. So just um just like a vicious cycle, really, not any stress with it. But no, it's uh it's all looking good now, everything's coming together, and there's not long left, so it's exciting, and I'm looking forward to seeing uh all the guys that are coming back for it.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, I was gonna say it's uh it's a pretty stacked roster. There must there's there must be a lot of guys you're excited to see on those teams.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, there's there's quite a lot. Yeah, I mean, obviously it was a big ass to ask for some of the guys that wanted to come back um from last year, obviously asking them to come back twice in a row uh after Mars last year. Uh um so yeah, I mean there's there's a few guys that wanted to come back, unfortunately couldn't make it. Um, but everyone who's come, I'm I'm pumped to have them. And like you say, there's there's some really, really good, really big names and uh even better people.

SPEAKER_03

It it feels incredible to see the the variety of names and and almost the the the history as well from from the devils because it it's it's 10 plus years of of kind of devil's history of your history with the team and stuff as well. So, like, is it is it maybe a little bit not odd, but seeing lots of different guys from different eras gonna who are gonna come together and all play in this game.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, it definitely is. It's uh it's kind of weird. It's I I think you kind of split my devil's career up into two. Obviously, you got uh pre-COVID and post-Covid, and uh obviously having those teams merge, um, it it's it's really cool. And uh I think people like uh Andrew McWilliam, someone like that, I think he would have absolutely fit into that pre-COVID team like so easily and so well. So it will be good to see him there, and uh it would have been really interesting to see him play with those with those guys pre-COVID because uh that would have been even more fun.

SPEAKER_03

When you when you sit back and you look at your devil's career, and we're gonna chat a little bit more in in kind of its totality, but you know, in particular about the testimonial stuff. First of all, did you ever believe when you signed in Cardiff that you you'd get a testimony, you'd be here as long as you have? But also, it does it feel almost honorary to the fact that you you you've committed so much time to this devil's career, and now you're getting to celebrate that with essentially your your your friends and your teammates from over the years.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, I think when I first come, I think obviously it's you always envision yourself being at a club, especially when you start getting attached to it, you want it for as long as you can, and uh you want to think, right, I want to spend the rest of my career here or anything like that, but you you obviously can't get carried away, and there's so much that can go wrong as well as going right. And luckily, I've been on the the right end of a lot of results and performances, and obviously that's um helped me get to where I am and stick around for so long. And the guys along the way of they're they're a massive part of it. So to be able to celebrate that and celebrate the 10 years with with the guys that are there and that have helped me along the way, it it makes it super, super special.

SPEAKER_03

Have you got your eye on anyone for draft night? Anyone particularly you think you wanna you want to be teaming up with?

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, well, I think I'm gonna be flipping flip-flopping between both. That's all it's there. But uh no, I mean uh Steve King's pretty deadly in a shootout. He's it's got a famous uh Falsberg move on me when I'm in Calgary. No video evidence though, so you just have to go on what he says. But um, no, it there's it's gonna be fun. It's gonna be fun just seeing the the variety and seeing the guys back.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, I think uh everyone is super buzzing about it, and and it's great to see how well the tickets have sold, and and it's gonna be such a fantastic weekend. So uh yeah, we were absolutely buzzing for you for that. And and we we're gonna chat a little bit now, a little bit about uh your your re signing in Cardiff, of course, as well. That'll that's it will have been announced this week as well, ahead of the testimonial. But before we do that, I do want to chat a little bit about GB because that there was a lot of stuff over the last six weeks or so that we need to get to. And uh, first of all, how how do you find Zurich? And and you were away with GB in May, and in while not maybe the perfect campaign, how did you find your your time in Switzerland?

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, it was good. Um, I mean, pool A, I think we got spoilt with uh Prague and uh the first one in Slovakia is always the first one in uh yeah, Slovakia. That first year that was special just because it's your first one. But Prague was just different level to anything that I've ever experienced. And and Zurich was good, Zurich is Switzerland, right? So it's always gonna be good in in Switzerland. Uh obviously it was a tough tournament for us. We like we obviously keep saying it's going through a massive transition period. And I think uh that was a big wake-up call for a lot of the guys that had never been before, and I think from British hockey in general to see where we're at now compared to where we were. And uh it was definitely a tough uh, or it was a long five weeks and definitely a tough ten days in uh in Switzerland. But you know what? It's it's always no matter what, it's always a great bunch of guys, and the guys didn't give up, the guys kept working, and I think that's all you can really ask.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, we I've I've spoken a little bit with a couple of the guys about that. Maybe it's GB are in a kind of transition period at the moment. We're seeing the older guys come to the end of their careers and and young guys coming through, and and obviously that's difficult when you're in pool away and you're playing against you know NHL talent on a lot of these teams and stuff, but there is a level of excitement as well. You see guys like Bailey Hayward, who who's obviously going to be back in Cardiff this year coming through and getting his first caps. And so that must be exciting too, despite how difficult it is.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, and I think you see a lot of comments as well about a lot of the older guys should be left out going forward. But I mean, that is by far the worst thing that the team could do. Uh, you can't just pick a bunch of all these new young guys and chuck them into a team and be like, right, there you go, because who did a learn off? They can't learn off anyone, you know, and they're gonna need people like Richie, need people like Brett Polini or like Lacko, like Ollie, you know, like Halby that's gonna be around that have been there, that have done that, and they need to learn off those guys. And um, I think if all these people that say, right, get rid of all these older guys, spin them off, it's it's just the worst thing that GB could do as a program. Um, and I think uh the the players that are there, the older generation, have got a big part to play in those development, the guys that are staying around for a bit longer. Um, but yeah, it is exciting to see. I mean, Bales, especially, Liam Steele did an unbelievable job as well. I mean, to ask those guys to come out of the NIHL and play against NHL guys is like it's it's a massive ass. You can't even say it. And I think until you've actually been out there and played in it, never mind like watching it is obviously different as well. But actually playing at that level, I don't think people will ever understand how big that jump is. So for those guys to do what they did and to play like they did Bailey and Liam this year, I think is absolutely awesome. And uh, like I say, it is exciting to see the new crop coming through. Where that crop's going to exactly come from, we need to, without being too negative, we we are waiting to see that. Um, there's obviously stuff that does need changing, but that's for a different podcast, and I will not get too much into that, you know. I mean, it's just don't want to get told off, but um, definitely um it's it's exciting to see. There's definitely talent there, but it does need to be nurtured. And like I say, the the people that want to get rid of the older generation, like that is absolutely like it's it it just can't happen, you know. They they need to mentor these young guys and help them, and once those guys feel like they've done their job and then it comes, then they can be like, Well, it's my time to move on now as well, and we'll let the younger generation get on with it then.

SPEAKER_03

Do you have you felt a level of responsibility as well for that? You know, you think of a guy like like Lucas Bryan who who's he's had his GB call-ups over the last few years. Uh, have you taken on that role a little bit of mentoring of kind of taking that responsibility as well?

SPEAKER_00

I like to think I have, yeah. I mean, you'd have to ask Lucas if he agrees. Uh, I'd like to think he does, but um, no, we we get on. I mean, the biggest thing with Lucas, I can remember trading with him uh before I went out to Slovakia. And uh there were a few things on there, I'm sure he won't mind his hand I didn't really like. And King King knows exactly um what I um kind of commented during that period, and he came back a couple of years later and he was like a different person. And even now, from his first year in GB to this year with GB, he is a different person, it's a different goalie. His work ethic is up, uh he knows what he needs to do to progress. Um, and I think if he takes the steps, then then he can definitely develop. And you know, his job now, he's got a big ask. Obviously, he's gonna be playing with Greener. Greener, we we know is an unbelievable goalie, he likes to take as much game time as he can, just like I always have done. Um, but Brian has got to have that mentality of of challenge him and and um obviously riding the waves when it's high, riding the waves when it's low, and he's got to learn to manage that. And like I say, it's gonna be the exact same thing with GB as well.

SPEAKER_03

The the big news that came out, of course, uh of the world champs was that you announced your retirement, and there's a there's a great interview on the GB hockey socials with uh uh Chris Ellis that I think everybody should watch. But but for those who haven't seen it and didn't see it at the time, just give us a brief kind of uh overview of of why you've taken the decision now to retire from GB.

SPEAKER_00

Well, I think like in general, I've kind of without trying to stand talking, I've kind of done everything that I can with GB, done everything I really want to. And now that I've had Taya, it it just changes your view on life in general. So uh I I want to be at home more, I want to be your dad, and uh I want to be a better husband and be around more for Jade as well. So I mean this year we're away for five weeks, you know. I've we've had what about at the point of this interview, we've had about 10 days back, and uh yeah, I mean, whereas the guys that finished up at the end of the regular season, they've had what seven or eight weeks already. So I could be spending that time with Tay and spending it with Jade. And um, like I say, I've been doing it since I was 20 years old, so I think it's only right to to do that. And then um from a body perspective, it it gives me more chance to rest after a season and more chance to get in that uh in that gym and work hard, get stronger, any maintenance, any uh niggles that have carried over from the year rather than playing on them for another five, six weeks. Yeah, you can rest and get straight back on them and work on the rehab, and like I said, just get that body stronger rather than trying to maintain it and get it moving like it will be this year.

SPEAKER_03

As we look back at your international career, you know, how proud are you to achieve everything that you have? You know, I think back to when you started with GB and GB were playing Division 1B, and and and since then, you know, multiple promotions, time in in the top pool, and and an incredible 10 years. Are there particular moments that stand up? Are there things in particular that you're proud of?

SPEAKER_00

No, I think the the very first year I'm part of the programme, they were in uh 1A and they actually just missed out on a gold medal to go up to pool A. And at the time, I I didn't really like there were a couple of guys in the line, Matthew Dumyers. I mean, he was in bits after that, and I can remember just thinking, like, why is it like just do it again next year? And then obviously the year after uh the programme kind of went a bit south, and two years later we're relegated, so it's the complete opposite. And um, yeah, I think uh we we had the little bits of heartbreak in Division 1B, uh losing to Lithuania when we should have beaten and we lost to Ukraine when we were leading, uh play. But we learned from those, we learned from those mistakes. And as soon as we got that gold medal in uh Belfast, it was like a weight off our shoulders. And going into Budapest, obviously, that's one of my best memories ever. The way that game went and the way it finished and what we did, it's it's unbelievable. But I mean, going into that, we said we could easily get relegated, but we could easily get promoted. I think none of us maybe realistically thought we'd win a gold medal. We knew there was a chance. Uh, we believe we could, but I don't think we we thought if we're getting promotion, we're probably gonna have to scrape up. So I mean, but we knew just play well and we'll we'll be safe. That was our big goal for that. And then obviously we did what we did, won a gold medal. Uh and then, yeah, Slovakia again, it was almost the exact same story the year after 3 0 down, come back, win it in overtime. like just just unbelievable you know and uh even we we missed that year due to covid just like everyone else did that was supposed to be in switzerland as well but the year in Riga it was it was so weird that when it was uh put together like mate in a makeshift arena because it got moved from Belarus uh but looking back on it that was an unbelievable we played unbelievable that tournament um and there weren't as many NHL guys for sure but I mean that just showed you how much closer we are to some of those countries and what people think uh when you take out the the top top end um but yeah that was an experience that hopefully I'll never have to go through again it was it was awesome to be a part of but you never want it to be in those circumstances you know you never want another um another case like covid so uh yeah that that even those memories they're they're special and then like I said Finland didn't go as well but then winning the gold medal back in Nottingham um with in front of your family and in front of home fans it's it was amazing and that's why we I think that is when team GB peaked I mean it it's a shame that that team in Nottingham wasn't in pool A because I think genuinely I mean we beat Latvia pre-tournament uh 2-1 I think it were I mean I genuinely think providing that we played as well as what we were at the time we could have been pushing for getting out that group that year we we were so good that year really good uh and we were so well balanced heavy like heavy on the top end stacked on the bottom end uh and then good goaltending from medium wis I think we would have really had a chance of getting out of that group so it would have been cool it's a bit of a shame that we weren't and then obviously obviously what happened with Hami that summer and kind of guys starting to retire after that and people losing that we that's when you first start seeing the team kind of break up a little bit after that gold medal but that gold medal memory is it it's unbelievable and then like I say it's just Prague was amazing Romania to jump back up uh against all odds especially the way we started against the lower teams um and then like I said to finish on pool A is it is a dream come true and playing against uh obviously top NHL guys it's always something that'll that'll live with me forever.

SPEAKER_03

You you mentioned the top A guys you know what one of my you know and and the there's a many I can pick from but one of the big kind of memories I have is is of course the save on Jack Hughes and and people talk about that and still do do you have many memories from that do you do you put me in your shoes in that situation because it it's one that just sticks out in my mind.

SPEAKER_00

Well I think the first one is a bit panic because it's a terrible rebound right in my chest it's an absolutely horrendous rebound straight back to him I can remember Steve went down to make a block and he makes a nice move around him to be fair and after that it's just desperation and compete really you're throwing a glove at it hoping that it puts it in your glove and luckily you did. You know and I can remember I stretched a lot for that save that the hook came right back out of my glove and luckily guys were there to shovel it up uh but no I mean like I said the the first thing every time I watch it back is just thinking what a terrible rebound. But obviously yeah it it worked out and um yeah that's what a lot of people remember that so that that us game in general was just a really good really good memory playing against people like Patrick Kane, Jack Eichel I think were there. I think Johnny Goodrow were playing that I'm not too sure but I'm sure he was in that team as well and that US team was stacked and we we played again so well Diesel scored one of his best goals I've ever seen so um don't talk to him about that so um because he'll never show up so he still plays it on the TV in the room now whenever we get a chance just to show people that scored against That you Demko so um yeah but no that that whole game was just one big memory.

SPEAKER_03

I mean you know you sound far too modest I think it was an unreal save but um yeah like the last thing we'll say on on the G V stuff is you know and you you referenced it a couple of times if you were to try and put into words the legacy you want to leave with with GB now that you have moved on well what would that be?

SPEAKER_00

I think from obviously teammate point of view I just want to be remembered as uh as a good teammate and someone who showed up when it really mattered in those big games and kind of knowing that you were the backbone there and obviously have it in the most caps were a goaltender most starts most wins all that it it it it means like so much to me really it's it's something that you can't really put into words and I think just the way that the teams over the years have kind of I said it in the interview with Ellie I think actually you touched on earlier but when I first started this this uh program I mean we're playing whole I think was that was my first ever game for GB a friendly against the Netherlands and that weren't sold out you know there was probably like a thousand people there if that and now we're selling out the Motor Point Arena in Nottingham uh everyone wants a ticket to watch GB you know and kids want to play for GB they want to play in pool A and I think the way that it's inspired that next generation is is just amazing. I mean yeah like I couldn't put it it in words any better um we'll we'll move on and chat now about you being back in Cardiff and when we're the devils and I think you know you're 11 my word man you need to slow down at some point you must be really excited to be back yeah no definitely it's um like say Cardiff's home now it's it's give us our um it's gives our house we're in our second house here now uh we got married down here we've had a child down here and uh yeah we've all our friends are down here now that that's what is our life is in Cardiff uh Cardiff and Barry um so yeah I mean Cardiff again it means more to us than what we can put into words yeah yeah and I think that's really lovely to hear and fascinating that that so many guys will come to Cardiff and end up calling it home but you have fully embraced the idea of of of being from Cardiff being being Welsh I know I know obviously that that might be contentious in some ways but an honorary Welsh from by now and uh and and what has it that's just made it such a home for you I think it's just uh how tight everyone is how friendly everyone is and how welcoming everyone's been obviously coming down you're thinking well an English goalie like are people going to really take to me obviously I got to make sure I play well all that added pressure and I think it would just that first group of guys just bought just leaned into it so hard they leaned into it heavy and bought into everything and I think being a part of that group has definitely helped me and uh helped the fans um kind of get to know me a little bit and be a part of that I think it's it's that is one of the key reasons why so many of us settled just from that first group of guys and obviously those first six years the the journey that we went on and I still think if COVID hadn't have hit then a lot of that call would still be here you know um because why would you why would you not have them you know like your Joey your dads people like that I mean Chris Culligan would have been amazing to keep for a bit longer as well uh Dako uh Charles Lingley people like that it it would have been amazing to keep them for a bit longer and uh Bentee obviously those guys I think the saddest bit about all that is that COVID hit and those those guys didn't get to say their proper goodbyes you know on playing the last game and that for me is the most disappointing and uh it would have been nice to see them right through to the end of their careers.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah I mean it it it it's it's almost a hall of fame of of Devil's Legends when you when you reel them off like that and and I want to chat a little bit about your game and obviously you being back and and you you've you've again last season most shutouts in the elite league great numbers again 930 plus save percentage and and how do you continue to maintain the standards that you have into into the I we'll call it the latter part of your career.

SPEAKER_00

Honestly I'm not too sure but no I mean I mean you and King's done unbelievable work the last four years just like Dan Raven did the the first six years and uh I think the thing with goaltending is you've got to you've got to adapt year on year. The shots get better the shots get harder players get new technology to help them shoot better be more accurate kind of thing and uh um goal is um goalies get gear that's getting smaller and they're trying to create goals I think you've you've got to try and keep up with this younger generation as well obviously growing up not having a ton of ton of goalie cushion I had I had enough but um the way I play is obviously different to all these nice technical goal is now and I think um it's also maybe a case of shooters now also used to playing on playing against guys that just butterfly and block and that's never been my style so sometimes you have to throw something a bit crazy out there just to surprise them keep them on the toes and uh yeah it's like I say you just have to adapt and I think as you get older you learn to you learn to read the game you learn to read it better you can anticipate and I think that has always been one of my strengths luckily uh because I I weren't the best mover when I was younger so I had to be able to read and be a step ahead of it and uh I'd like to think that now I've got more technique and a bit more structure to my game that has definitely helped me on top of uh being able to read you you mentioned you and King a huge part of the devil's organization over the past few years and and unfortunately moving on to a new world and it must be a little bit of sweet for you is seeing him leave and obviously be gutted but also excited for for the chance that he's got yeah no it's it's awesome I mean he's happy he gets to spend more time with his family now as well obviously it would have been nice to see him stay in a professional game I I think that would have been really nice I mean he still is do you know I mean but it's to see him work with a team because uh I just think he's so such a good goalie coach and such a great guy and I think like you say the work he's done that it doesn't always get noticed for he don't always get credit for I mean the video that he used to produce not just for the goalies but for the players as well was absolutely top notch so it wasn't just the goalies that benefited from it it was the players as well and I mean uh all the scouts that you got pregames the the shootout scouts that he sends you he'd always find trends traits and it just gives you a little edge that that one percent you know and um the things he worked on he knew what teams were playing what their traits were what they'd be looking at and you'd always do e-drills based on each team each game coming up and obviously anything that he saw in your game you he'd try and get it out as quick as he could and we'd always revisit stuff every five six weeks just flush it back in and when the bad habits come in get get rid of him as quick as you can so to have him there and keep on top of you um was awesome and I think it's it's even better there against calling a friend absolutely uh the the other guy I want to ask you about actually as well is is is Christian Stover of course arrived in Cardiff last summer and and and you guys were with a goalie partnership for for the Devils last season and by the time this goes out it will be confirmed that you are going to be again next season it seemed like from an outside perspective it seemed like you guys got on really well and there was a really good working relationship there.

SPEAKER_03

Tell me a little bit about that.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah I like thinking the way you'd have to ask Stovey about that. But no Stovey I think I think like I told him after play our final I were proud of him like the way that he'd uh the way that he stepped it up in that those last five weeks or so was huge and uh to step in and do what he did it it was it was massive and it was great to see I think uh we we had a little chat at one point in the season just about handling some of the pressure and and stuff like that I'm sure again he won't mind us saying that and I'm not saying it was that chat I'd like to think he'd take a few things on board and obviously King I did a lot of work with him and I think the biggest compliment I can pay him there is obviously not just that he stuck with it but the fact that he won games at the end of the season that I think at the start of the season he wouldn't win. And I think to see that that to see him progress that much is is absolutely awesome. And obviously it's never nice when you're not playing but when it's a guy like Stovey that that you that you love that you and that you like and that you care about and you can see the progression you can't not be happy for him you know and it's it was great to see and I think he got his reward and I think hopefully he can build on that this year and I'm not gonna I'm not gonna let him just have it I'm gonna compete with him just like we did last year you know and I'm gonna keep pushing him and uh I'll always be there for him whether he wants advice whether he wants something on technique maybe I'm not the best person to ask about technique or definitely not the best person to watch I can give him advice just don't watch me you know but um no I'll always be there for him whether he's in Cardiff or whether he's somewhere else whether it moves on to somewhere to a different league. Obviously if he's playing against me I'll probably not give him as much advice if he ever decides to go for another elite league team then maybe we'll have to have different kind of words for no I mean it's someone that if he ever wants help and he ever wants to ask I'll always be there for him. Yeah that's that's great to hear and and it it's part of I think a wider attitude within the Devils at the end of last season there was a there was a great atmosphere in the room and and you know you've been part of a lot of devils teams over the years and and was that a big reason that the Devils managed to go ahead go on to win the playoffs last year yeah and I I think there was also the good thing is I think there was also as much as guys loved winning I think that there was a a huge bit of disappointment because in my opinion I think we should have won that league as well we we tailed off massively just after Christmas we had a great December probably got too far ahead of ourselves and for some reason we just lost we just lost form you know um I think it was maybe January February time we just lost a bit of farm um and I think like I said the team that we had we saw our dominant we were in that playoffs you know is that playoff run like teams couldn't touch us and if we'd have kept that up all season we would have be we would have won the league by February uh we we were so I think that as high as we can be about the playoffs we've got to remember right this is because I think this is what happened post-COVID we we kind of struggled in the league we won uh the team won the playoffs and then we come in the next year think remembering right we're we're the best team here and obviously guys are a bit too loose and it didn't quite happen that year for us but I think we've got to remember right the playoffs are playoffs it's amazing to win that it's probably the best championship to win but it's also the easiest you know and we can't be happy with we won the playoffs like we are happy that we won it but we're also annoyed that we didn't win the league we're annoyed that we didn't win the Challenge Cup you know and I I want to win everything I want to finally get a grand slam at some point we've come so close uh we missed out on it twice um we got shafted uh pre-COVID with the league on that one that uh um I'm still still pretty sour about that uh but no it'd be nice I I want to win that grand slam and I'll I'll not be really happy until we have won that grand slam you know so I think that should be our aim at it always is but we have to be realistic with that we have to learn from last year let's get that league in the bag let's get the Challenge Cup going give us a chance in every single competition and let's make the final win the league let's make the final of the playoffs and and then we can really celebrate again the the it seems to be from everybody I've spoken to that this is very much a a collective mindset going into next season and and and there feels to have been a shift in that mindset over the last 18 months yeah since essentially I think since Tomo's come in that there would they felt like a shift in the mindset for the Devils and uh you know it's pretty exciting that you're seeing all these guys talking about you know wanting to go and win everything and being that motivated having just won everything oh sorry just won the playoffs in the last season yeah I think and that's you know if guys weren't motivated to do that that's when I'd be worried uh obviously the new guys coming in they have to obviously learn that we have to but that's where people like myself Richie Marty uh can can really help with that I mean we've we've been there done that guys have now won the playoffs that were in that call last year so they can help with that side of things people know how the league works uh and it's good to see that we've got got back to a call where it's gonna be a lot of winners in that in that core of the core of the devils so uh again obviously you don't want to talk about it too much but pre-COVID I mean everyone in that call we're serial winners you know and that's what we've got to create again this year and that's how we're gonna win I mean um you're going up against big the big boys in Sheffield Nottingham Belfast now that are selling out six seven thousand eight thousand arenas you know so we know uh that we're not always technically on paper people aren't going to maybe see us as the best team but we're always gonna be competitors and when you're tight in that room and you've got that mentality that's that's when great things happen and that's exactly what happened before and we're back at a place now where I think that we are in a good position providing that we have that mindset to go and win everything. I mean from what you've seen it seems to be that you're confident you can yeah no definitely definitely I mean uh like I said you've got to be confident you've got to believe and then uh we we move on but you can't get too far ahead of yourself.

SPEAKER_03

You can't well Bouncy thank you so much it's it's great to hear from you and it's great to hear that you're so motivated. Good luck this weekend I I I cannot wait to see the the the the uh a whole plethora of faces that we're gonna see through the doors over the weekend and uh enjoy it I'm sure that it's it's incredibly stressful but uh yeah it's a well in testimonial congratulations on being back again for another season and uh yeah get to work. Yeah thank you I'll see you at the weekend it is fantastic to hear from Ben Bounds. I mean you know uh a whole career of of not just devils but GB and and I think for me the bit that sticks out is is even at this point in his career he is so motivated and so energized still to play hockey you know he's obviously hung up the the the skates for for GB now but actually you know that's to to concentrate on on spending time with his family but also to be in a good position for for the devils when when the you know the season rolls around again and uh I mean it's always great to hear from him but that that really I I enjoyed that interview a lot.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah it it was absolutely fantastic um when you when I listen to to Ben talk uh about himself there's uh at times what I think might come across a little bit of self-deprecation about certain things uh about himself but to me that just speaks to I think he's just always constantly evaluating how can I get better? What can I do differently? Is there something in my game that I need to work on and when you look at uh his trophy cabinet and his medal count it's amazing to think that at you know at a time where he's uh putting you know GB behind him for a little bit that he can still think to himself I can improve I can be better you know he said it in a very nice way but he he's uh there to challenge Christian Stover for however long they're together and I think that's great. I I think that's that's great for both of them and I think you know I I I wouldn't be surprised if we sat here in 12 months time and you know Banzi has uh taken the majority of games and and and battled his way through because that is just the type of character he he's always been and so happy for him that he's ended his GB careers you know he mentioned all the accolades and all the the records he's broken and and all the things he did.

SPEAKER_03

That's a really special time uh for GB ice hockey men seniors uh over the the past few years and he has been a leader and he's been a big part of that and he can be so so proud of uh that particular part of his career he really can yeah I I couldn't agree more with that and uh I I think you know I want to chat about his career in a in a devil's uniform now and I'm we're kind of going to split it into two sections which is of course the the the two periods he spent here in Cardiff of course there was the the short couple of seasons around COVID that he was away first in Graz and then over in Slovakia with Dukler and and you know I uh if we talk about and you touched on the the the kind of signing process and him becoming a devil uh uh back in 2014 and and that first season you know everybody everybody who was around loves that season talks with such earnest about it but actually you know I I think it was a real like you said it was a gamble to bet on yourself when you're Ben bounce but actually you know you look at the end of that first season the devils won a challenge cup trophy and that you know we we talk all the time about how that lay the groundwork for this the successes that were to come but actually you look at his stats that was the best Y Save percentage challenge cup campaign that he had of his entire career and so if you're talking about betting on yourself he really stepped up in that first year and it and like I say it set the groundwork for what then became two league titles two challenge cups three playoff wins like you know it that's a career that most guys would give their right arm for and and that first year was so important for it.

SPEAKER_01

Yes it was and uh you know I always say uh to Bouncy when we talk about that challenge cup final uh it was goalie interference on Steelers goal that should have been a shutout game go back and watch it under the day's rules that is getting wiped out after video review all day long I'm still angry about it I was angry about it at the time I'm angry about it now because that should have been uh a shutout uh challenge cup final win for Ben Bounds but yeah we do always talk about the challenge cup being important for the club but I think it was particularly important for for Bouncy because it it was just proof once you've got that first trophy you know he's he's announcing to the league and and you know the the wider hockey world I am a netminder that you can put in a final in a competition and we can win it's such a big position we all know that a goaltender you can't have a bad goaltender and be successful it just doesn't work no team has ever done that um but yeah so that it was really important that he he it came back to doubt he he proved a lot of people wrong and and took away a lot of doubt that any you know devils fans may have had and and certainly opposition teams had uh at the time so big big uh moment in the story of Ben Ban's devil's career it was yeah and what what followed was you know five seasons of of just top quality game from Ben Ban's you know you look at you you look through the numbers and obviously you you use the eye test as well but just from the numbers I mean 50 plus games 60 plus games some seasons in a devil's uniform you add on GB on top of that then you add on maybe pre-season that isn't always on the record books as well all of a sudden you know you're playing probably 80 plus games a year still putting up the numbers that he did and he leads the devils to to back to back league trophies and you know you you have talked a lot about the fact that you know the devils the the fans waited years to win a league trophy obviously two came along pretty quickly and and it was a you know it was spoiled of riches a around that time but it was again it was the core of guys like Ben Bounds guys like Joey Martin Mark Richardson Andrew Hotham that pushed the Devils on and he was such a big part of that because he had to be you know the guy who they could rely on to play 50 plus games. Yeah absolutely I I'm glad you bring up the amount of games because I think these days you see a lot of shared dudes around the league. That wasn't the case back then and it's not just the amount of games it's how important each one was because you know those teams were always in a title race. There wasn't a season pre COVID where an Andrew Lord team was not hunting for the league title was not going deep into the challenge cap was not going you know to the finals weekend and then you add on the Champions Hockey League as well which was a whole new learning curve for everyone and You mentioned GB. So, you know, to play that amount of games and continue to put up those numbers that is phenomenal. Stamina-wise, and really mentally to be that dialed in mentally for that amount of time, he must have been exhausted when those those seasons come to an end. Um, but it wasn't just you know the the performance on the ice as well. You touched on it, it is that voice in and around the locker room and being a leader. Of course, there's that famous interview where the devils were chasing the Steelers down, and you know, after we uh a win in the in the Vidniko, Bouncy was fired up after man of the match performance. There was a lack of handshake after the uh the game, and you know, Bouncy was quite up front. He said, I hate them. I hate them, and I can't wait to beat them. And he got in trouble for that, I think, at the time. But I personally, as a half fan, half broadcaster, loved it because I I thought it took a lot of gets to be that brutally honest. And I think it showed that the passion and the drive and how much that Ben wanted it for the team and how much he wanted to get to that finish line, and he had the enemy in his sights, and he didn't care who knew that he he wanted to take him down. So I always look back on that fondly. Uh the fine he got probably doesn't well took a pound in, but for me it was worth every word.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, and you know, sometimes the the the wistfulness of being a young guy and and being at the top of your game and being well respected, you you can say those things, and I think, you know, why not? You might as well add a bit of spice to a title race. We that's how we like it. But um the the other kind of element to the to how good Ben Bowns was in those first years, in particular, was obviously the fact that the Devils, because they could rely on him to play 50 games a season, because they didn't have to have a tandem, they could ice an extra input, and that was a massive advantage back then because it wasn't the rosters weren't quite as deep as they are now. You couldn't run four lines of essentially imports back then. You you had to kind of bolster it with Brits, and and so being able to have a starting goalie who was basically the best guy in the league, it meant that you could go and pay good money to a guy to play on your third or fourth line.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, I I mean off the top of my head, I I'd say um the three I can think of that were probably the biggest beneficiaries of that was David Bryan for one year, who an ex-NHL who was playing fourth langu centre uh in a in a hit, you know, a title-winning team. Um, I think Paul Crowder was probably another one that was probably brought in in a similar role. McNamy, I I'd probably say maybe is got and like you think of the quality of those three guys that I I just mentioned, and yeah, you're you're absolutely right. You know, the the passport certainly got uh uh a few benefits to the devils based on his uh outstanding ability because you know, throughout those years and even now, you know, how much better is Ben Bannes than you know, meaning the majority of import goalies or as good as the majority of uh overseas goalies that come into the UK.

SPEAKER_03

Exactly. Yeah, and and it's it's a it's a lovely luxury to have at the end of the day, and and it's one that means yeah, you can have guys like David Bryan on your fourth line, which which is just ridiculous, really, and and and almost unfair. But uh, you know, the the last bit we'll touch on on that kind of pre-COVID time as well, is is Bouncy, especially back then, but it has been for his whole career, you know, that's it's not to take away from his career since COVID and since rejoining the Devils, but I can always look back on you know, not only was there consistency for 60 odd, 50-60 games, there was also the big moments when you needed him in the big moments. He was always there, you know, the big one that sticks out forever in my mind. It's one of the my favourite memories be being with the devils was was of course this the save on Smotherman in the in the playoff final, which you know, the the Devils went and won the playoffs, having been so disappointed in missing on the league title to the Giants that year. And and they should they should have won the league that year, and then they didn't. And I think, you know, the sometimes you just know a team's not going to lose a game. It was similar from my point of view, you know, in the playoff final this year, just gone. But back then, you know, when he makes that save on Smotherman, Smotherman skates away with his head literally on his on his helmet going, I can't believe he saved that. It was those moments, and and there's so many of them in a devil's uniform.

SPEAKER_01

There I it was interesting when we interviewed Ben on Insider in the year, he said that he uses that moment as a visualization uh but before games, even now. So that that shows you how important that was in terms of his career. A real bench deflater, the sort of save that you know the opposition, their shoulders slump a little bit and start to wonder, is this our day? It wasn't. It was Ben Bounds and the Gardef Devil's Day, which is uh excellent. But uh, you know, how long could a highlight reel be of Ben Bowns saves it in devil's colours? And in the image of my head, it's always that kind of Dominic Hashik type stack pads where he's twirled himself to just do whatever he can to get a pack. I always I don't know why it's stuck with me, but I always vividly remember one of his first interviews before he signed, and someone asked him, you know, how would you categorize your goaltender style? And he said simply, I don't give up on packs. And that that is the most prophetic thing I think a player's ever said in a in a signing interview when they join a new club because he doesn't, he doesn't give up on any play or any pack, or or you know, he he's a competitor, and uh I'm sure we can probably get a compilation of uh saves. I'm sure there's been work done on that for Saturday uh as well. But I can certainly think of double figures in times where my breath has been taken away quite literally on a call where I've about to be calling an opposition goal and the next rare time call in one of the most outstanding saves I've ever seen.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, I mean I asked him about obviously the Jack Hughes one in in GB colours. I remember the Frlunder one. We were away in Sweden and the Devils give up a two-on-o, and and I remember the commentary, uh, the commentary saying it's in, and then being confused that the play had continued because it had come off his pad and and shot off into the corner bit, and he'd done that two-bad stack, and and yeah, I mean uh we we could go on and on. But I think it's important now that we we we also talk about him since Covid and since rejoining the Devils, because he went away, of course, to to play in in Europe and he he kind of touches on on the time in Europe and and I think he appreciates that it it was a challenge and it was a step, and he bet on himself, and it was one that he struggled with a little bit because he was he was encouraged to play a different style and a different game to what he what he had done for the previous five or six years.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, and I think there are a lot of players from that last devil's team pre-Covid who I think had a really bad bit of luck with that happening. I think Bounzi is one I would sort of identify as that because I believe he had already made his decision to try Europe before Covid arrived, so he was kind of all already gearing up for that. But in my mind, I just think when every team is trying to deal with everything that Covid brought, was that the best circumstance to try and get the best investment in a team? Do you know what I'm trying to say? I I wonder if there would have been better opportunities or better situation at the the teams that Bouncy went to if they didn't have that distraction of COVID where everyone's just trying to survive as a business and a league during that time. Um and then it uh Gratz then as well, he picks up that injury as well during the and it's just such bad luck, isn't it? Because it's not an ability issue, it's not a mentality issue. I just feel that that whole couple of years was just a bit snake bit. Um and it's such a shame because, like I say, I've got no doubt he's got the ability to have been uh a top goalie in either of the leagues that he he went to, and I think he, you know, there would have been other opportunities maybe in Germany, etc. Uh, for him. Um, but again, you know, like you said, and it's been a theme of this conversation, Ben Bones bet on himself because he believed that he was good enough to do it, and uh I share that belief.

SPEAKER_03

Exactly, yeah. And and as similar, actually, it reminds me a lot of of when Ben Davis talked about going away to play in North America, and you just bet on yourself because this is your chance. And I think he he'd got to a point, yeah, where he'd won the lot in Cardiff and he decided that that that was the point to move on. And I think that on its own is is something to respect. And you know, even though it wasn't perfect, he did still, you know, I remember seeing highlight real saves in Slovakia as well, and like people commenting on that. So he he was still the Ben Bounds we knew, even if it maybe wasn't quite it didn't work out in the most perfect way. But uh yeah, and then in 2022-23, he decides he's he's he's gonna come back to Cardiff. And I believe the rumour at the time was that there may have been a chance he ended up in Sheffield and instead comes back to Cardiff, settles here, and he's a Cardiff boy at heart, despite what he says, and yeah, comes home as it were. And uh, and and I mean you look at the career since then, it's career numbers every single year. So clearly something's worked.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, absolutely. It's just just when he came back, it was like putting on a comfortable pair of slippers, wasn't it? Just it just felt right, it just looked great, it just you know, I was delighted when uh he came back because it's important when you're trying to chase down trophies that you have people who know what it takes to win. If you don't have that in the locker room, you you can't do it, you you really can't. And I think you need that consistent atmosphere and you need that consistent kind of foundation of success. Um, and who better to bring that than someone like uh Ben Bans. And you know, we we were saying at the beginning of this interview that he's during his interview with you, he was still talking about how he could improve. And the fact that he has improved, as you say, careers number wise from what was a better trophy haul the first time is is really unbelievable, isn't it? I mean we should be maybe talking about another couple of trophies in his cabinet since he uh came back, but um another one last year, of course. But yeah, just is there any better example of why Ben Bounce is so good than those numbers?

SPEAKER_03

Exactly, yeah. And and and he he he mentions in the interview, and we talk a bit in the interview about Ewan King and the impact he had. And and of course, Dan Brabham worked with him pre-COVID, and he was a massive influence, and then Ewan King since he's come back to Cardiff, and uh and and it is bittersweet for him, I think. And I think he does recognize the the impact that Ewan King's had on him and on all the goaltenders that have played in Cardiff. But you know, I I I think yeah, there's there's there's a reason that he was putting those numbers up, and it's because the relationship was good so good, and that's a 50-50, you know, setup as well. You know, it you you you can't just throw a good goaltender coach in and hope it works. It's on Bouncy and it has been on Bouncey, and he clearly has been working hard.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, he has, and it it really I think it speaks to Bouncy's character that he doesn't forget to shout out these people as well. I mentioned Parsi uh right, and then earlier it was uh a big influence on him when he was coming up through uh in Hall and Sheffield, and he always references Parsi's kind of influence on his career. Um but I think it comes back to what we were saying about the people you keep around you, and I think Ben being really honest and really proud. I think I I get a sense of pride in his voice when he talks about these people, uh, you know, talking about Dan Brown, talking about Ewan King, talking about Parsi, and of course Thomas Murdy, who's been his partner in crime both on and off the ice for for years and years. You know, it it takes us, I think it it really shows the type of man that Ben Bounds is that he revels in the good people that he's managed to take on this journey with him, and how he's so open and willing to give them credit for some of his success. I I think that is a real, real big character plus.

SPEAKER_03

It really is. And I mean, you know, you talk about great characters, of course, Christian Stover this year, and and I mean, where do we start with a Stove on his own? We we you you know, we we we we could talk a lot about how much we love that guy, and and and it's good to see him back in Cardiff for another year. But uh I think you know he's that story he told about you know, having a bit of a chat aside with with Stover, uh kind of halfway through the year, and and we'd spoken a little bit about how you know the Stover at the end of the season probably, you know, compared to the one at the start, the if you've taken the one that started and put him in the playoff final, he probably doesn't win that game. But again, it's it's the working kind of culture, it's the environment, it's what they kind of bounced off each other, and it was a really good relationship.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, yeah, it absolutely was. And you know, we we don't know when that conversation took place, but I look at the Christian Stover in that Dundee away game in November during the triple header, where his composure went away from him a little bit, and he looked maybe like he was a bit unsure of himself to the Christian Stover that ended the season. Uh, you know, the the proof's in the pudding, isn't it? In regards uh to that. And I'm sure Ben was leaning on the teachings as the now Jedi master rather than paddle one of uh goaltenders uh from the influences that Ben said that he had. Um, and you know, let's make no mistake, it's not easy to be Ben Mao's goalie partner in the sense of you have a very, very good goaltender that you have to try and battle for Ice Time with. And you know, that this make no secret about it. There's been really good goaltenders of really good CVs who who haven't wanted to take up that challenge because they they know how good he is. They've shied away from trying to come in and and compete for that that place. Um, and I don't think there's very many better sort of examples of uh how good he is than that.

SPEAKER_03

I think actually, yeah, yeah, like you're saying, and and the thing that sticks out most for me um from that that story of and then him chatting about his relationship with Christian Stover is it would be very easy, I think, for Bounsey to, especially with how the season ended, get into a bit of a grump and think, oh, I've lost my net here to some young upshot who's come in and and and taken my net in the first year for the for the for the playoff run. But actually, he he genuinely seems so buzzed for the fact that Christian Stover played as well as he did. And I think he understands, and and I mean it's Ben Bounce, so of course it's always devils first with him, but I think he understands that actually that's he plays he's played it the perfect way, which is he knows that this is the the bigger picture and that the devils succeed because not only he succeeds, but Christian Stover does as well because of that.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, uh absolutely it's uh it's team first with him. You you see it across everywhere that he's being GB, the devils are and beyond. And um I think as well that there's uh a part of him that really likes that there's a goalie that that is a a challenge. Do you know what I mean? It isn't just you know, someone that's opening the door to to make up the numbers, or you know, there isn't you know someone who they themselves is getting angry that Ben is taking their place. It is uh it is another challenge, it is another reason to compete, it is another you know thing to rise up to. Um and I think that could only benefit Ben. I think that only can benefit the devils, and I only benefit Stover uh in the end. So uh, you know, it's gonna be another exciting season upcoming to see that that those guys sort of share in that burden. Um, and I can't wait to see him back between the pipes.

SPEAKER_03

Oh, yeah, me too. I mean, yeah, you have to talk about two characters as well. I think, you know, two of maybe the funniest guys that we we've ever had play for the devils, both playing in there. It just it just yeah, I think adds to it. And and and the last thing I want to touch on in terms of tracking through Bouncy's career, of course, he ends this this and wins another playoff uh title with the Devils, despite the fact he obviously didn't play over the finals weekend. I think he talked in that interview, and he is convinced, as a lot of the guys that we've spoken to are, the devil should have won, or could at least competed for that league championship, and they know where they missed out. And I think that's going to be massive going into next season.

SPEAKER_01

Yes, it is. Um, much like that interview I referenced where Bouncey was quite forthright, he and as you say, others are not being shy about how the the guys felt, how the team felt last year about what could have been, and more importantly, about how do we stop it from being another it could have been. It's a really exciting buzz around the players when you speak to them, isn't there? I mean, you've done the the the signing interviews this year, you know better than anyone. Even before you hit record, there's a little bite to everything that they they say, and there's a little feeling of there's a chip on the shoulder almost, and I love that. I I really do love that because there's bite, there's a chip on the shoulder, but I also get a real bit of genuine belief as well in the way that people are talking, that they believe that there's a group of guys coming in 26-27 that believe that if they do things the right way and it's not going to be handed to them, if they work harder than they did last year, if they build on what they sort of achieved in the last six to twelve weeks of of the regular season that they can get a bigger prize than the playoff trophy. Um and they believe it so much when they talk that I'm believing it.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, no, exactly. And and it gets it gets you fired up, doesn't it? And but like, I mean, if it's gonna take guys who know how to do it to then talk like that, and they're doing that, it it I think naturally fills you with a bit of confidence because like we say, Bounzi he's not sure on medals and accolades throughout his career. He he knows what you've got to do to win a league trophy, he knows what you've got to do to go and try and win as much silver as you can. So uh I think it you know it it makes me excited. And you know, we sit here and when testimonial week. I I I want it to be August already, man. I'm already excited for it. But um, as as we kind of look now, and and like I say, it it is testimonial week. So we'll we'll talk about, you know, well, we have talked about the the the the prize, I guess, of getting your testimonial and being honored in that way, the legacy that Ben Bounce has as a devil, because he's not gonna be a devil for. We hope he's a devil for a very long time to come, still, you know, despite the fact he doesn't play GB anymore. We hope that that brings him a little bit more longevity in in in red as well. But um, I I think you know, you look at the legacy of what he brings, and and for me, it's it's the buy-in to to being a Cardiff devil. And I think you know, Franny's talked a lot about when they recruit, they recruit for Cardiff Devils. And you know, he he joked in his interview about how he's made Barry and Cardiff his home now, and you know, I said you're an honorary Welshman now, and he is, he he just is like that's that I think and he embraces that, and you know, he's settled here, he's he's started a family here, like he has become a Cardiff devil in in every aspect of the word, and I think that's why he's been so successful.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, I I completely agree. Uh, he just represents everything that you want your hockey club to be, he what you want your community to be, what you want your capital city to be, you know, all of the attributes that he he carries, both personally and professionally, uh, are just fantastic. And there'll be a special moment I I know on Saturday where there'll be a bouncy wave. And when you just think of the bouncy wave and that connection between Ben Bangs and the crowd, uh you know, after every win, uh and there have been a lot of them uh at home, and you think of the special ones he's had in the past after trophy wins when you know his nan who he he always you could see how much he adored her she got to come on the ice uh and be a part of one. Like I just think when we do the bouncy wave on Saturday, really take it in, take it in and treasure it. And I think that will be a real kind of signifier of how special the bond has been between Ben Banz, the club, and the fans. Um, and yeah, it'll be a packed Vindico arena to uh get the wave on with him.

SPEAKER_03

It really will. I think that they're down to the very last few tickets, and and it's always good to see testimonials. I mean, the last like four or five that we've had have sold magnificently. I remember, you know, testimonials of the past, you you filling half an arena, but they these days it is, it's a full packed Vindico, which is exactly what he deserves. And uh I I think that's kind of the perfect way to to end our bouncy special, really, guys, is the thought of of what's to come on the testimonial, but also what's to come in next season and beyond. I think you know we're we've been blessed to have Bouncy for as long as we have, and and let's hope it continues for as long as possible.

SPEAKER_01

Oh, absolutely. Um I'm honoured to be uh a small part of it on Saturday. Uh I can't wait to catch up with Ben and everyone else that that's coming down, both on the ice and in the stands. Uh, you know, lots to be excited about in uh Cardiff Devil's hockey at the moment, and let's really celebrate the career uh of someone who was given the badge, the club, the city so so much.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, perfectly said, perfectly said, and what a way to end it. And and thank you to Bouncey for for jumping on the podcast with us. I really appreciate it in the midst of the craziness of having to organize a uh a testimonial, amongst other things in life, I'm sure, as well, and and an off-season that he really should be resting up in. But uh it's great to hear from him, Gaz. It's wonderful to hear from you as always as well. And thank you everybody for listening in. And uh we're we're we're nearly there, we're halfway there, guys. Come on, testimonial this weekend, and then it'll be the season in our sights. The signings keep coming, and there's plenty to look forward to. So uh we'll be back very soon with another episode of Devil's Insider, and we will see you then. Goodbye. Thank you very much once again to our sponsor, Minerva Hearing, for today's podcast. And remember, Minerva Hearing, hear the cheers, protect your ears.