Devils Insider Summer Series - Episode 5 - Speedrunning Signings

On this bumper edition of Devils Insider Summer Series the guys chat about five signings... against the clock 

Double Testimonial? : Mark Richardson is back for his 19th season for the Devils (00:00)

Contract Earned : Bayley Harewood signs his first full-time deal in Cardiff (21:20)

Teach me how to Duggy : Another season with Devils stalwart Sam Duggan in the lineup, and he's a dad now too! (37:25)

Don't Panic, he's back! : Christian Stoever returns for his second year in Cardiff after backstopping the Devils to the playoff title (1:03:27)

Oli's at the wheel : Kohen Olischefski returns after another great season, and two goals in the playoff final win (1:29:15)

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:00

Today's podcast is brought to you by Minerva Hearing. Hear the cheers, protect your ears. Shemai Powerback Kreuzer. Hello, everybody, and welcome back to another episode of the Devil's Insider Summer Series. Dan Ruther alongside Neil Francis and Gareth Hewits is always in virtual form this time because we are, as we said in the previous episode, we are unfortunately not all in Cardiff right now. However, guys, I hope you're doing well. I'm going to skip the introductions for today's episode because we've got a lot to get through. And we're going to turn today's episode into a bit of a bit of a quickfire one. So this is how we're going to do it. We've got five guys we want to talk about today. Mark Richardson, Bailey Hayward, Sam Duggan, Christian Stover, and Cohen Olashevsky. And instead of waxing lyrical as we could do for the whole show, we're just going to hit them in eight minute spells. And then you're going to listen, the guys at home are going to listen to an interview from the players. So I'm going to get my stopwatch out and ready, and we're going to chat about the guy number one, and that is Mark Richardson. So eight minutes and we are off. Mark Richardson back in red for season number 19 with the Devils, the man who was going for his double testimonial. Franny, what a joy it is to see him back in red for another year.

SPEAKER_01 1:07

Yeah, that's incredible, you know, for that many years with us. And you know, he's been brilliant throughout. And as we know, he's fulfilled uh a different role over the last couple of years. But what a brilliant job he's done of that. And uh, you know, yeah, we used to seeing him up on that top line alongside the um you know the all-star D-man, and you know, he's always got that compliment, didn't he, from his partner saying, Well, I couldn't have done my bit without Richie. Um, but you know, this year he's taking on a slightly different role and uh more of a shutdown guy. And you know, there I don't think there's a pairing that you would have wanted out there at those big moments than Helgerson and Richardson. Just so dependable, two guys that put it on on the line. And you know, Richie's been doing that for us, hasn't he? You know, putting his body on the line with those big blocks and uh just so composed at the right big moments.

SPEAKER_02 2:00

Guys, you've been saying for years that that Richie, he's made of something different to the rest of us because that that man's gonna go on forever, I think.

SPEAKER_00 2:07

It certainly seems so, doesn't it? And uh what I've always said, and and what I think is so important here is you know, he he doesn't get a roster spot for sentimental reasons, he gets a roster spot because he is still as good uh as he he has been for for quite some years, and you know, it doesn't uh happen a lot in sport that you can manage to maintain that consistency across so many different years, you know. We see it, you know, you know, Lewis Hamilton won a Grand Prix uh the other week in his 40s. That that's uh quite uh you know unbelievable. You know, we've seen Venus Williams make a return to tennis uh you know after a few years off. But it it it's news because it's not the norm, but it doesn't happen a lot, it doesn't happen everywhere, it doesn't happen for everyone. But Mark Richardson just continues to be so valuable both in the locker room, both on the ice as well. And uh, you know, going into a big year where your expectations are high, you need a Mark Richardson in your dressing room as a vital piece uh if you want a foundation for success.

SPEAKER_02 3:11

Yeah, I'm glad you mentioned that because you know the devils, as has been spoken a lot over the summer, they they they're gonna be trying to make a run at this league title this year, and you need guys who've been there and done that before. And and Richie really has. He's he's been there.

SPEAKER_00 3:23

He has, yeah. And uh, you know, it's uh it's amazing to think as well that he's still playing GB as well. So you know, he's putting games on top of games on top of games through uh throughout the season, and he still comes back, you know, the freshest and uh in tip-top shape. We we've heard for years about how he kind of led the the fitness regime in the room for for a couple of years based on what he'd done, and you know, he puts that in into his own uh business as well, with his you know his performance school uh and whatnot. When you have a guy like that who uh you look at as a model kind of pro, uh you have to go with him because if you're falling below that standards, why if Mark Richardson can do it uh uh you know every year as he gets older, then why can't you in the locker room follow uh that lead as well? I think that's really important.

SPEAKER_01 4:11

I've just quickly counted up his games that he played last year, and I think it's it's 88 or 89 games with you know all the devils and then the GB stuff, you know, 17 games for GB. Uh it's quite incredible. And I think he had a better year this year than he did last year. So I think he's on the up. I think he's on an upward trajectory. So God knows what we're gonna get from him next year. But you know, you just uh it is just incredible.

SPEAKER_02 4:35

It really is, and and I'm glad you actually mentioned that because I was gonna ask you about his role. Obviously, you you talked, Franny, about how he was in those shutdown minutes with Helgerson, but actually there was, I mean, there were moments where he was having power play minutes last season, which is which is crazy to think at 38-39 that a guy couldn't do that. But it it's Mark Richardson, he he's still able to do this and he's still able to do whatever's asked of him. And and I'm intrigued to know where does Tomo see that role now? You know, he he tomo's kind of came in last summer and said, right, this is how we see you now, and and yes, it's less minutes, but in terms of the the kind of usefulness of Richardson, it's still there.

SPEAKER_01 5:10

Yeah, I mean that that was a key conversation I think that Tomo had with Richie because you know, if it was down to Richie, Richie would be on the the top pair and he'd be playing 22, 24 minutes a night, and you know, he'd get on with it, and you'd do a fantastic job. Um, with the decor that we had, Tomo wanted Richie to do a different role, and he said, you know, your minutes are gonna drop a bit, set that expectation. However, I'm telling you, when we're in those big moments and we are defending a lead, you're the guy that I want on the ice, and you know, and that's how it played out. So um he knows how dependable Richie is, and like you say, you know, if there's a a time when somebody needs to jump up into a different spot, then you know Richie can do it. Oh, he's such a smart player, takes it all on his stride. And you know, if it is time on the power play, certainly owning the penalty kill and five on five, um, you know, Tomo knows he's got a great soldier in Richie.

SPEAKER_02 6:07

Yeah, and we we were going to talk a couple of times about the penalty kill with the players who we're gonna talk about in today's podcast. But Richardson obviously is one that was massive for the Devil's Ash here, second best PK in the league. And uh, and and Gaz, you know, when you look at how his role's developed over the years, he has gone from that top line kind of partner guy with your Hotham's or your Crawford's or whoever it might be, but he's still as effective, I think, now. And actually, you know, it catches out imports. Maybe sometimes they think, oh, we're lining up against you know, the the third pair, as it were, for the Devils. And actually, still, he can catch you out.

SPEAKER_00 6:38

Oh, yeah, absolutely. And I think the beauty of it as well is if there is a need to do it, you can slot him on any of those pairings, you know, through injury, suspension, you know, changes in games, etc. The way it's going, you know, you're still going to get the old drop of the shoulder on the blue line on the attack as well, the snake in towards nets. I mean, I always look forward to every week, especially at the beginning of the year when new overseas players are there and have no idea what's coming from. Uh, you know, they look at Richie and probably think, ah, you know, he's he's getting older and slower a little bit. Maybe I'll catch him here. And before you know it, he's sort of in on a goalie. I love that. Um, but yeah, he's just it's just so dependable, isn't it? Like it must be an absolute coach's dream to just know that Mark Richardson's in that locker room and that you can uh you know call upon him for any game situation. But I really enjoyed him and Algerson as a pay last year. Uh I thought it uh helped Helgi going forward a little bit as well, to be honest. I think you've seen the confidence of his game uh sort of uh pinching in what as and when he could see it, knowing that uh he had uh someone so dependable. So uh it's good to know that you have that aspect as well.

SPEAKER_02 7:45

Yeah, it is. And and Franny, the the last thing I want to ask about Richie because I'm keeping an eye on the clock and we've got to keep an eye, but uh yeah, he's obviously he's worn the C before, he he's worn it at the A for years and years and years in Cardiff. How much of an important part of that leadership off the ice is he then?

SPEAKER_01 8:00

Yeah, I mean he's so well respected, and you you know you alluded to it earlier. When you see Richie and the way he prepares himself, um you know, as somebody that has uh been there and done it, it just it just sets the bar for uh guys, other guys in the locker room. So if Richie is on the optional practice, or if Richie is staying out after the official practice is done to work on some bits, then I better stay out too, because you know, you can't face having him walk in after you into the locker room, you know, having worked himself even harder. So um a fantastic pro, uh, fantastic leader, fantastic um teammate, and you know, overall a fantastic asset uh to the Devils for all those years before. And you know, I'm sure there's a few more to come.

SPEAKER_02 8:51

Very much so. We have four seconds to spare. So why don't we hear from Richie now? And then this is what he said when I sat down with him a couple of weeks ago. A huge welcome on Devil's Insider to another returnee for the Devils this year. And believe it or not, it is 19 years in Devil's Colors. Mark Richardson back for another season. Richie, congratulations. Uh, how do you feel to be back in Cardiff again?

SPEAKER_03 9:11

Uh thank you. Yeah, uh, same as always. Um, you know, um so happy to be back for another season. And I think uh when you end the previous season like we did, you know, you're just even more hungry to to lift more trophies.

SPEAKER_02 9:25

Yeah, well we'll we'll get on to the end of last season in a moment, but first I think there's uh there's a little bit of congratulations in order. You're on GB duty right now, and uh you've hit your 125th cap while you've been out there, and that's a huge achievement. So congratulations, you must be very proud.

SPEAKER_03 9:38

Yeah, yeah, very proud. Uh, I wasn't expecting that. Um, and yeah, it's uh it was a proud moment, but um it was just when someone said to me, That's like uh an extra two elite league seasons that you've played on the end of uh normal seasons. So yeah, it's a lot of games, but um yeah, very proud moment.

SPEAKER_02 9:55

Yeah, you spoke to Chris Addis uh a lot more in depth about it, and then anybody who's who's listening, and I uh go ahead to the uh G Ice Hockey GB uh Facebook page, it's on there, and it's a really great listen. And uh, you know, it's it's crazy to think about the different eras that you've played through of GB hockey as well. I think you know, you you talked about when you first arrived and the guys are on the scene then all the way through to now, and and there's such longevity in that you must be very proud of how long you've you've managed to stick around with the GB squad.

SPEAKER_03 10:20

Yeah, definitely. I mean, um, you know, in so many ways, I mean, in terms of players, um, there were kind of you know, GB legends around when I came into the squad, um, you know, staff, um, everything like that. It's you know, the professionalism, how it's changed, and uh and stuff like that. Yeah, it's um it's been a lot of fun and uh you know to do it so long, I feel very fortunate.

SPEAKER_02 10:46

Yeah, long may it continue. And and and I I you spoke a little bit in that interview about how yeah, those when you first arrived, though those older guys kind of brought the younger guys through, and and now you're kind of on the other end of it. And you know, we think of the younger guys who are now on their kind of first one or two world champs away with GP. Have you enjoyed being the kind of the the older veteran guy who's who's helping those guys along and then teaching them as that as they learn about international hockey?

SPEAKER_03 11:09

Oh gosh, yeah. I mean, it's it's such a good thing to see some of these uh younger players, you know, especially at this tournament at this level, you know, to to come and they're seeing NHL playing against NHL players, you know, seeing NHL players on the ice. And uh, you know, remember my first tournament at this level, it's an amazing kind of feeling. Um, but in terms of kind of just trying to do what I always try and do, and that's just uh lead, you know, lead by example and kind of um you know show them that way.

SPEAKER_02 11:41

Yeah, for sure. I mean, uh hopefully the the you you enjoy the remainder of the tournament and also you know, there's a few more caps in there, I'm sure. Maybe 150 one day is get another half a season of Elite League hockey in there. But uh yeah, let's chat a little bit about, of course, being back in Cardiff for another season. And uh, you know, how excited do you two have re-signed back in Cardiff?

SPEAKER_03 11:59

Yeah, really excited. I think um, as I say last year, really, really enjoyed the season. Um, and uh I feel like there's a lot of kind of unfinished business. I think um, you know, as a team, if uh if we can put together what we did the last kind of eight eight weeks there um leading up to playoffs, we'd be uh you know a very hard team to beat. So um, yeah, really excited and uh and just as always to you know play in front of the fans and and in Cardiff, it's always a privilege. So yeah.

SPEAKER_02 12:30

Yeah, that that that last eight weeks, you know, it was it was remarkable some of the hockey the Devils were playing. What worked so well during that that last little spell?

SPEAKER_03 12:38

You know, I think um I said before, you know, Tom kind of said to us at that point where uh you know the lead title was kind of just out of reach, maybe. You know, we got kind of uh two ways we can go. We can kind of just uh sit around and wait for the playoffs and kind of uh you know see what happens, try and show up for for the end of the season there, or we can we can treat this like playoffs now. And uh we very much did that, you know, every game, apart from a kind of 10-minute spell in Coventry, we we kind of uh were playing that playoff hockey for for the last eight weeks. And I think that's why that playoff win felt you know so good as well, because to us it wasn't just those four games, it felt like for eight weeks we were we were playing that way.

SPEAKER_02 13:25

Yeah, I'm intrigued to know about how kind of that compares because you've won playoff titles before, you've won league titles and challenge cups and stuff as well as well with Cardiff. So, where did that playoff title stack up? And like you say, that that that build-up to it, did that kind of like you say, add to the the enjoyment of then getting it over the line?

SPEAKER_03 13:42

Yeah, I think so. And I think um, you know, just a great group of guys who kind of you know pulled together, like I said, in that situation, and um yeah, I mean it's always great to win a championship, and the last one kind of always does feel the best, you know. And but no, it we had a little bit of a different feel about it. It was it was you know like we'd been on kind of a a long longer playoff run than we actually had, but uh yeah, it was but as I say, they all feel good.

SPEAKER_02 14:09

Oh, I'll bet they do. And uh and I I asked Jerry Martin this question because you know there's very few guys who were around in Cardiff for the first year of of this kind of new era um of the Devils under the new ownership and and all that and stuff. And there there feels like there's a similarity between the two squads in terms of the chemistry and how the guys got on and how they you know everyone seems to be very close knit this year.

SPEAKER_03 14:31

Yeah, definitely. Um, you know, we've always been fortunate in Cardiff to have you know a good good group of guys, but you know, every few years or whatever, there seems to be just you know that little kind of step up in just kind of how close the the team are. And um, I think you could see from probably some of the celebrations uh the the we share follow in the the playoffs, um, you know, how how close the guys were. So yeah, that that goes a long way. And um, you know, especially in the the tough times during the season, which there always is, you know, you you you can really pull together when uh when that bond is that strong.

SPEAKER_02 15:07

Yeah, I'm sure you've seen several parties to celebrate trophies over the years. That one seemed to be pretty high up on the rankings for for how much people enjoyed it.

SPEAKER_03 15:15

Yeah, I don't think I've seen that one go on that long. Uh credit credit to the Void Mean Arbers, obviously, trying to get ready to come come out to the World Championship. So it's a little bit different week for me, but uh it was great to see the boys, you know, uh really get to enjoy it. And uh yeah, that's that's what it's all about.

SPEAKER_02 15:31

Well uh we'll chat a little bit because we we talked on Devil's Insider a lot this season about the Devils defensive unit, and I think that was one of the key parts, not just in that last eight games, but throughout the season, one of the things that worked really well for for the club, I thought. And uh, and you were part of those seven guys, and and what was it like being part of that unit this year? And and how did it maybe how did you enjoy having Nicholas on board and kind of growing that that group together and growing into what I think was the best defensive core in the league by the end of the season?

SPEAKER_03 15:58

Yeah, I mean, I think it was uh it was kind of um you know, a good kind of mature group, if you will. So, you know, um, you know, when things aren't going so well, you know, it's easy to kind of panic or or whatever, but I feel we had quite a cool, like calm and collective decor. Because there's always those those uh times in the season where things aren't quite going right, or you know, during games where you know you just kind of gotta take a breath, and I feel like we had a decor with a lot of experience, and um, and and that really, really went a long way. And and just a decor that you know supported each other as well, and um along with Nicholas and and uh yeah, I feel like that was uh that was the big part.

SPEAKER_02 16:43

That balance, I think, is a really good point because you know you look at the the six or seven guys that you had in in the lineup, you had obviously you know, you guys like Estes, Fournier, Mose, who do a lot of the kind of stuff going forward, but then in your own end, then that balance then came through you, through Helge, through through Jimmy Alini. And and Tom would talked a lot about how he he kind of had roles for each of you, and he trust on maybe Estes to go and be the point getter, and then if he needed a shutdown pit, it was you and Helgi. So, as an experience, how did you enjoy not only playing with with Tyson Helgeson, but also that that kind of role of being the guy that they put out in the last few minutes?

SPEAKER_03 17:17

Yeah, no, I mean it's great. Obviously, it's a funny one for me. My my roles have changed, you know, over the years. You know, a few years back, I was playing the power play and and penalty kill and and a lot more minutes. Um, and I used to think that oh, it must be easy playing just less minutes, you know, shut down deep, but in some ways I'd actually say it's harder, you know, because you you may be um you maybe kind of have to sit for for an extended period of time if we've got some power plays and stuff like that, and then all of a sudden you got a penalty to kill, you know, and you haven't been on the ice for for longer. You know, it's uh it's a different mindset. It's um but I feel like uh playing with with um Tyson Halgerson was great. You know, he had the same mindset as me that you know our job is to go out and be you know responsible defensively, and and you know, that was uh why I think it works so well.

SPEAKER_02 18:10

I mentioned Tomo, of course. He was uh rival for you for so many years and um into Cardiff then. He did coach you uh or had an involvement with GB as well um over the years, but as as a kind of domestic coach that first year, how how was that working with with Tomo?

SPEAKER_03 18:24

Yeah, it was great. I mean, um to be honest, I think uh I barely had to speak to Tomo, you know, in terms of hockey that much all year, you know, he kind of uh has that experience, you know, as long as you're kind of doing your job, he leaves you to it, you know, and and uh just that kind of knowing when to when to push, when not to, and stuff like that. But no, it was um it was a great experience and uh looking forward to to doing it again.

SPEAKER_02 18:51

Yeah, we'll we'll look ahead now. You'll be back from GB Duty very soon and hopefully taking a well-ended rest. But what what does an off-season look like now for you? Are you planning on skating much? What what what where are you kind of at in terms of how you recover from this season and then get ready for next year?

SPEAKER_03 19:04

Yeah, so not much uh not much break from this one. Uh kind of a short off season, but um in some ways I prefer that. You know, I can get back after a very, very short rest, kind of you know, look to build the build the body back up a little bit and you know, the aches and pains from the season. And um normally, you know, maybe I'd skate a little bit more, but I'm not gonna be off the ice that long, kind of thing. So it's not kind of as important. You won't lose as much of that as you would in a longer offseason. So um, yeah, I'll just be really rebuilding a little bit and then um just kind of pushing to to be in the best shape, come uh come training camp.

SPEAKER_02 19:45

I mean, the the the kind of big headline so far in the offseason as as we chat now in terms of of the devil signings is Nick Welsh is joining the defensive group as well. And you know, when you think about how good that group was last year, if if you can add a guy like that, it it's it's gonna take you, you know, to to even higher levels. How do you how how excited are you to maybe have him part of the devils as well?

SPEAKER_03 20:04

Yeah, very really excited. I mean, um he was a player that you know throughout the season uh you know was always impressed with uh great poise on the park, you know, makes plays. And um yeah, no, obviously uh Tom O and that have seen that too, and and uh brought him over to Cardiff. So no, I'm really looking forward to working with him and and having him a part of our team. And and like you say, what was already a very strong decor just got stronger.

SPEAKER_02 20:30

And the Devils, you know, they look to build on the success. Now you guys are gonna want to go and chase that league title. That's a pretty exciting prospect.

SPEAKER_03 20:37

Oh, definitely. Um, you know, uh I think it shows the the kind of aims of the club, you know, an already strong decor, and then you want to strengthen even more kind of thing, you know. And um, yeah, you know, last season was was uh we didn't have too many, too many injuries or anything on the on the back end, but um you you never know and obviously in our sport when that could happen. So to have you know, you know, the the bodies is is great, and um, yeah, it really shows the kind of aim of the team this year, and and and that's what we want to do is is push for for every trophy.

SPEAKER_02 21:10

Richie, uh I love the attitude. Uh I hope you're enjoying GB. Congrats again on being back with the Devils for another year. And uh, you know, it's it's it's just great to chat with you once again.

SPEAKER_03 21:19

Thank you, mate.

SPEAKER_02 21:21

Big thank you to Mark Richardson there. The stop clock is going again, and we're going to chat about the second guy today, and that is Bailey Hayward. And we've gone from talking about one of the oldest, longest serving devils to one of the youngest and newest devils. And Bailey Hayward back for a full-time contract for his first one in red, richly deserved after a positive year last year. Great campaign with GB Gaz. This is a really exciting signing, and one that actually probably has gone under the radar because people assumed maybe that Bailey would be back, but actually, it's great to see him.

SPEAKER_00 21:49

It really is, and uh he you rightly say he's worked really hard the last couple of years to make an impression in the little cameos that he's had. Uh, I thought he was really. Great two seasons ago in preseason, where I felt that he really um showed his range of skills. He worked hard, but he could pick a pass as well. I think he's got a great eye for that, and he loves to express himself when he he goes game forward, which I think is really exciting. I think is an essential part of him, and then he kind of showed himself again in that continental cup final where it where he got his assist on one of the goals, and then last year you just kind of felt again that confidence building, and I think you also felt as well uh you know the faith in Tomo into his development as well, and it was clear that there was a pathway there. Now he has his chance, he uh showed a great bit of uh more of his potential on the international stage against some really high-end players where he showed no fear, and I think that's gonna be really important when he starts now in preseason um and going through as a full-time devil now to not show that fear uh in the face of this challenge. This is his opportunity, and I am pulling for him with all my being that it pays off.

SPEAKER_02 23:05

Franny, I'm I'm fascinated by the relationship between Tomo and Bailey. And in the interview that we're gonna hear shortly, that he speaks a little bit about that, but I think it's a really positive one because you you you can tell that Tomo can see the potential that Bailey has, and Bailey knows the potential he has, and it's just about working together to get that out of him.

SPEAKER_01 23:24

Yeah, there's no doubt that Tomo sees Bailey as a personal project of his. And you know, we've seen how that's worked out in the past with the likes of Liam Kirk, who, you know, had his first pro experience under Tomo. Uh, and I'm not saying Bailey is gonna be the you know the next Liam Kirk or whatever, but what I will say about Bailey is that you know he he comes in as the two-way guy when there's a spot on the top three lines that needs to get filled, he's the guy that gets put there, isn't he? And then you look at GB as well in the tournament that they had before the world championship. He found himself up in the power play. I think he got a power play goal. Um this world championship against the best sides in the world. He started off as a healthy scratch, he worked his way into the lineup as a fourth liner, where you'd expect him to come in. By the end of the tournament, he's up on the second line. So that just tells you he has got he's got the X factor. I think that's what you say about Bailey. Um, you don't know quite what you're gonna get, and it's I think it's something that will catch it. Well, it has caught teams by surprise in the past because he's a very positive player, you know, he's not somebody that's gonna go out there and just dump it in because he's worried about having the puck on his stick. Um, he's someone that likes to he just plays the game naturally, almost like he's playing with his mates in the street, you know, that kind of thing. And uh, you know, he's got a great talent, he he's got all the tools to do it. And what I feel the biggest difference in Bailey last year was that commitment from Tomo to say, I don't want this guy just coming here for a practice or two. I want him here full-time, you know, Monday to Friday with us. And then if he has to go and play games on the weekend uh in the with the two-way arrangement with Bristol, he goes. If we want to keep him, he stays. And I think it was just having that accountability, that um integration with the rest of the team. He I he probably felt more of a cardiff devil than ever last year, and he responded really well to that. Um and uh, you know, it was clear that Tomo from day one sees something he likes in in Bailey, and quite rightly so. And I think that was great for Bailey to feel that confidence from his coach, knowing he had somebody in his corner. Um, and he, you know, he's responded, he's done everything that's been asked of him by the club. You know, arguably he could have had a few more games with us last year, and I think that's where you know having the league as the big prize is um is detrimental to development guys like Bailey. But Tomo, quite early in the season, said, Mark my words, he'll be with us full-time next year. And true to his words, you know, Bailey is.

SPEAKER_02 26:13

And he offers something, you know, and and this isn't meant as a disrespectful thing, but different to the rest of the Brit guys, maybe. And you know, you look at Duggan and Davis and those guys from last season who who fulfill their role fantastically, you know, penalty killers, grinding guys, guys who play that checking game. Bailey offers that a little bit different.

SPEAKER_01 26:29

Yeah, and and I think it's really interesting now, and I think you've got something similar with Jake Sacrettini as well, is that they're not what you would say traditional fourth-line players. Um you know, the way I look at it, uh, you know, and we'll go on to speak about um Sam Duggan in a bit, um Your your team is only as good as the sum of its parts, right? And you need you know, people to do role, all different roles on the team. And um, you know, having guys that do the shutdown roles is as important as having the guys that that are in the scoring roles. Um when you are new to this level uh or newish to this level level, you have to do your kind of apprenticeship on that fourth line because the main thing is the coach has got to trust you defensively. Only when you get trusted defensively are you gonna be put in a position where you're gonna be able to you know use your offensive talents. So Bailey still has to earn that as a full-time devil. We've seen it in you know fits and starts over the years, but now it's it's a different thing being here full-time where this is his team. Um uh but yeah, so he's it'll be interesting to see the dynamic of that fourth line for next year because we have been we have been used to seeing it traditionally as a very much shutdown role, but I think it'll have a little bit more offensive side to it next year, but they have to maintain that defensive discipline as well. I think it will be a you know a great learning step for Bailey, and then you know he will want to, and Toma will want him to push for opportunities higher up the lineup.

SPEAKER_02 28:08

Guys, we've got a minute from an entertainment standpoint. This guy, um we've used the word X Factor already. Bailey brings that entertainment and he gets people off their seats, I think.

SPEAKER_00 28:17

Yeah, he does. He's really exciting. I'm gonna make a bold prediction now. I think that there's gonna be a couple of times where we're gonna maybe see a couple of goals where Bailey's over exuberance maybe it puts him in a difficult position, and I don't mean that in a bad way, but I predict that there will be far more goals and assists that come from him expressing himself than there will be the other way. And I think that's what will be really exciting to watch uh as Devils fans. So uh he's a hometown boy, he loves this club, he really wants to be here at this club, and I can't wait for him to get going properly as a full timer.

SPEAKER_02 28:51

I love the confidence on that one, guys. And I love the confidence that Bailey brings. So why don't we listen to the chat I had with him a little while ago? Ladies and gents, a huge welcome on Devil's Insider to another re-standing for the Devils, and it's a man making his jump to full time as a devil. Bailey Hayward is back in Cardiff Bailey. Thank you so much for joining me. How are you doing? Congratulations. How does it feel to be a Cardiff Devil again?

SPEAKER_04 29:13

Thank you very much. Uh, thanks for having me. Um, I'm excited. Um, I've been looking forward to this uh opportunity for a while, and um I'm ready to get going.

SPEAKER_02 29:22

Yeah, you're you're making that that jump from playing kind of the dual role between the devils and um and the NIHL. You're jumping full-time now to a devil. Are you really excited to have to have made that move now?

SPEAKER_04 29:32

Yeah, um, like I said, um I'm so excited to get going. Uh I've been waiting for this jump for a little while now, and uh I feel like I'm ready. So yeah, I'm looking forward to it.

SPEAKER_02 29:43

Before we chat uh about about the devils, uh we'll we'll catch up a little bit about the GB stuff as well, because you played uh in the double HF World Championship over the summer, which went, excuse me, really, really well. How did you find that experience? You you got six games under your belt for GB.

SPEAKER_04 29:57

Yeah, no, I'm uh really grateful I got to play in that tournament. Uh it's uh crazy experience, and um I'm just uh glad I got to experience all of that. Uh the uh atmosphere in that uh rink was uh insane. And yeah, I'm just so glad I got to experience a tournament like that.

SPEAKER_02 30:15

Yeah, and you got to you know mix it up with some some really good players and some guys who played in the NHL and in some great uh great leagues around the the world. How was that? Did you was it was it a little bit Starstruck, or did you kind of embrace that?

SPEAKER_04 30:27

Uh the craziest thing for me was when we when we go to the gym to uh uh warm up before games, and you've got like all the US team in there and all the other teams are in there training with you, and you're watching them warm up, some of them are lifting crazy weights before a game, so you're like, whoa, this guy's serious, you know.

SPEAKER_02 30:46

So yeah, no, it's crazy. And in terms of the games themselves, obviously the the results weren't necessarily what GB wanted, but it it's it's a great experience, isn't it, now, for your GB career to have got those under your belt played at that top level, and now you guys can go about getting back fit now.

SPEAKER_04 31:01

Yeah, 100%. I'm I'm glad that I got to experience top level tournament. Um, Switzerland was wicked. Um, I wouldn't change a thing. I'm just grateful I got to experience that level of hockey.

SPEAKER_02 31:12

What do you think worked in terms of your game? Because you know you know you started out maybe in a a smaller role, limited minutes, but actually by the end of the tournament, you you'd kind of built up a lot. And so so what worked so well?

SPEAKER_04 31:23

Um I'm not too sure. I think um I tried to just play my game. I didn't try and play a scared game. Um I don't know, I just wanted to try things at that level. Um, and I had some trust in me, and I think Pete and the coaches um had some good chat to them and uh they just put trust in me and I just they let me play my game.

SPEAKER_02 31:43

Do you think when you get that that trust is that is that helpful for the for your confidence? Did you feel a bit more composed and that you can go and try that stuff? Yeah, 100%.

SPEAKER_04 31:52

But I knew in my head that I can just gotta be darled in, you can't be doing no silly no silly moves and stuff, you know. But um yeah, just stayed focused and just use that trust that they gave me and played well.

SPEAKER_02 32:08

Let's chat a little bit about the devils now. Like I say, you you're back in Cardiff again now for for this season coming full-time role. What are you hoping to get out of the year?

SPEAKER_04 32:17

Well, um I'm excited to get going now. First full-time contract. Uh I'm excited to start, and um I'm just looking forward to meeting you guys carrying on from last year as we had a really good year, and um yeah, just looking forward to getting going.

SPEAKER_02 32:36

Was there was there much of a discussion with Tomo about you know last season? Did you know when you came to the end of the year? Did you chat with him a little bit ahead of now being back this season? Have you managed to catch up with him much?

SPEAKER_04 32:46

Yeah, I put I catch up with Tomo a lot. Um, he's talking to me about GB as well. Um, I also see him in the rink yesterday. So um, yeah, I'm me and Tomo keep in touch a lot. Uh he's happy with my performances in GB as well. So yeah, no, me and Tom uh we're always uh keeping this up contact.

SPEAKER_02 33:04

And that's the relationship, obviously, it's it's it's it's obviously very important to have a good relationship with your coach. But for for a guy like Tomo, it feels similar to what you said about Pete. You know, you if you once you get that trust and that belief from him, you could it can then help your game as well.

SPEAKER_04 33:18

Yeah, as long as I stay, I go mature my game as well. Uh as long as I um play the right way, do the little things right, and um yeah, that's we're gaining trust.

SPEAKER_02 33:31

Well, just touch on uh the end of last season now, and and and obviously you you had uh a number of games with the Devils, but it ended with you you got your hands on a playoff medal at the end of the season, and uh how good of an experience was that? And and and did you enjoy everything that came with being a playoff winner?

SPEAKER_04 33:46

Yeah, 100%. You know, um that's a m massive achievement, and uh thanks to the boys, you know, like they battled hard throughout the whole playoff uh at the end, and um I'll appreciate I appreciate it all, and I'm so glad I got to experience that with the boys and um had a good chat with Tomo after, and it was just a really, really good experience.

SPEAKER_02 34:08

Does seeing the guys uh especially in that playoff final, play in those really clutch moments, does that does that make you excited to know that this is going to be your chance going into next season?

SPEAKER_04 34:17

Yeah, 100%. I was I was thinking now, I was thinking, I wish I was on the ice when they were playing last year, I wish I was involved, and uh hopefully this year we make it all the way because that was such a great feeling uh to finish the season off. A great group of guys, and um yeah, just looking forward to carrying that on.

SPEAKER_02 34:37

One more thing on last season. Obviously, you you shared your time with with Bristol as well and and put up a lot of points, had a really great year. How has that time helped your development and and how has it been, you know, you jumping between the two is never it's never easy. And so uh has that challenge actually been beneficial in some ways as well for for developing your game?

SPEAKER_04 34:54

100% I think it's benefit benefited me in ways because although there is a big jump between Bristol and Cardiff, um that league is still um good, and I got a lot of minutes in that league, so I wasn't like going to Cardiff Cold. I was still training for a week with Cardiff, um, I was still up to speed, so Bristol did benefit me a lot, and uh I got a lot a lot of love for Bristol and the fans and their community, and uh um yeah, they helped me a lot along the way.

SPEAKER_02 35:25

One of the things I really like about your game, and we we saw it obviously because there's more minutes involved in Bristol, there's a there's a swagger and there's a bit of a chip on your shoulder about your game, and I really like watching that because it feels like you use those things in a really positive way, and it means that your game obviously has developed, but also it pushes you on to try and go after and try new things. And so, you know, where does that come from and and and how do you use that to your benefit?

SPEAKER_04 35:50

Um, and I don't know, I don't know how to explain that really. I just I just that's just my game. I feel like um when I when I'm on the puck, I want to try things. Uh uh I like to as you know, I like to hold the puck and make things happen. Um yeah, that's just my style of game. I think Bristol helped me where I can see where I can try these things as it's a bit less like on top and stuff. But um yeah, no, um that's just my style of game. I just play that with, you know. I don't know how to explain it.

SPEAKER_02 36:24

Yeah, no, fair enough. And if it comes natural, I guess I guess that's that's that's the the bet the best thing, really. You know, you're not trying to force anything.

SPEAKER_04 36:32

I definitely need to uh do the little things right, mature my game more, and uh yeah, the the rest will come with it, you know. So that's where my chat to Tom worked being really well, you know. So he's got um that trust in me and uh yeah, just gotta prove what I can do now.

SPEAKER_02 36:48

As we look ahead to next year now, what have you got any personal goals? Is there anything specifically you want to achieve from next season?

SPEAKER_04 36:55

Um I think everyone has their own goals. I have a few goals in my mind. Uh I'd like to put a puck in the back of the net, that's number one. Um I'd like to win a few trophies with Cardiff this year. I think we're gonna have a really strong team. That's about goal. And um, overall, just enjoy this season. It's a big year for me, and uh just want to enjoy it and have no regrets.

SPEAKER_02 37:16

Well, Bailey, thank you so much for chatting to us. Uh, congratulations again. It's it's great to have you as a full-time devil, and we're really looking forward to uh seeing you on the ice this year.

SPEAKER_04 37:25

Prove it, thank you very much.

SPEAKER_02 37:27

Big thanks to Bailey Hayward for the chat. It's always good to hear from a younger, more youthful voice, maybe within the devils. Um, we're gonna go from a guy who's very new to being a full-time devil to a guy who knew how that feeling was a long time ago now, but has been a devil ever since, near enough. And uh that's Sam Duggan. Dougie is back for year number seven with the devils. What an exciting signing it is. It's always good to see Sam Duggan here in Cardiff. And uh, Gaz, as guys go, are part of a core and a group of guys who will lead the atmosphere and the the push for this league title the devils are so desperately chasing. Dougie's a big part of that.

SPEAKER_00 38:01

He's a vital part of it, I would say. Uh, we talk about custodians of the devils and the the building blocks of success and the people that you want there who are consistently aware of what it takes to win things, win everything. Um, and that is Sam Daggan, isn't it? Just a quick diversion before I carry on talking about him. I hope he's recovered from what I think is the only full contact hit I've seen in a testimonial game that Andrew Lord was very annoyed that he had dangled him at the blue line and made sure that he uh finished that hit and made him aware of it. It was a lovely, lovely moment. Um he had a smile on his face the entire time, and that kind of sums him up, doesn't it? He he gets involved full tilt, dives right in and says, you know, I'm gonna give you my everything, both you know, personality-wise and um, you know, talent-wise as well. And I have to say, uh, I'm really it's boiled me a little bit when I see um people talk about something from other teams who maybe just look at the stat sheet and make wild claims about, you know, almost questioning why he would be on the roster. You spend five minutes around him uh on a personal level, and then you watch a full game of his if you were to play a Cam him um on his role and what he brings, and you would have no hesitation about why you bring Sam Dagan uh into a lineup. He will never, ever, ever let you down. He is capable of chipping in with goals, but I think over the last few years he has selflessly put himself in positions at times that help the team as a whole rather than his own elite prospects uh record. And that for me is why I will always go to the very last uh stretch of the earth to defend Sam Duggan as a member of the Cardiff Devils, and I hope he continues to be for years to come.

SPEAKER_02 39:48

Yes, same. And uh that that penalty kill is an important part of that, I think, as well. You know, you you're very rarely going to score points on it. But Franny, the the the reason that the penalty kill was so good for the Devils last year is another one as well as Richardson was Duggan, and and it was always the little movements, even necessarily if he didn't, you know, have the the puck on his stick, it was shutting down passing lanes, forcing guys out wide to to the to the peripheries, and and those little bits of his game aren't measured in stats, but they're so important.

SPEAKER_01 40:15

Yeah, I mean the penalty kill is so scientific, and we know it's Nicholas's baby, you know, he loves that penalty kill. And especially Nicholas coming from that Scandinavian background, it is a science that it only works if every cog is doing their thing. And Dougie is somebody that went out and just carried it out spot on, so it worked, and it obviously Tomo's a new coach for Dougie this year, and Tomo needed to kind of get a feel about what he was getting. But then as as you saw the season move on, less of the top six were out there killing penalties. Tomo knew that he had his troops that he could rely on to kill the penalties, leaving those guys fresh there for the power play. So we know the power play wasn't performing. So what he did in terms of part of that adjustment in getting that power play clicking was remove those top six guys that are needed on the power play off the penalty kill because he had the trust in the likes of you know Dougie, Ben Davis, etc., to uh to run on the kill, and then it could free up those guys to have fresher legs to make an impact on the power play. And we saw it beautifully, you know, come in the that last sort of six, eight weeks of the season when it was running at 35% or whatever it was on the on the power play. Um, but you know, to have that second best penalty kill in the league, um, while not using up some of your more say profile players, uh, what a huge asset that is for Paul Thompson. And um, yeah, I mean, we talk about you know that unselfishness doing those all those little things right, Dougie's leadership in the dress room from day one, from when a young kid when he came in, you know, he was mature beyond his years, and he's such a a vital part of keeping that dressing room together, especially for the new guys coming in and you know getting settled in. Dougie's amazing.

SPEAKER_02 42:11

Yeah, I think that's a good important point to bring up in terms of his his off-ice contribution as well as the on-ice, because and you'll hear it in in the in the interview we're going to give now, and it's a longer interview, and he talks in a lot of depth. But Dougie is driven in a way, and I think he he's almost a force of nature in that locker room because he isn't scared to pull rank with with maybe newer kind of high-earning import guys. If they're not putting their weight and not contributing to the team, he will tell them, and I think that's what a good leader does.

SPEAKER_01 42:38

Yeah, and it's not easy when you're in a fourth-line role to to speak up, you know, and and kind of aim it at guys that are uh above you in the sort of uh in the minutes. Um, but he does it in such a mature way, a positive way, that everybody knows it's because he is trying to get the best for the card of devils, and you know, nobody ever, ever is gonna kick back at that because they know it's from the right place and it's done in the right way as well. And it it that's a whole skill in itself. So um, yeah, I mean, Dougie is a massive part of this, you know, the devil's culture, where you know, we saw last year, you know, more of what we're used to as the devil's identity. Um, and you know, Dougie is a huge part of that identity.

SPEAKER_02 43:27

Gaz, he's another guy, and we spoke on last week's podcast about uh Ben Bounds being a guy who's embraced being kind of a Cardiff resident and and being a devil and all that stuff. And and Dougie's another guy who's done that because I'm sure over the years there's been chances for him to go away and and probably get more minutes in a different role. But he's stuck around and he's seeing the fruits of that, I think, in in what he's the career that he's had.

SPEAKER_00 43:47

Yeah, absolutely. And I think that speaks to what I was saying before about you know, his unselfishness, um, about maybe his own career for for the good of the team is exactly why he's the type of guy I I want in and around. And uh the devils, you know, Franny talked about the devil style uh there. If uh Doug is on the ice and there's you know business to be attended to with the gloves off to stick up for a teammate, he's the first one in there, you know, regardless of size, he may be giving up, or you know, the the the reputation of a guy that he's going to. And you know, maybe you know, with the technical sense, he'll come out on the worse end of you know throwing hands, but he'll be the first one in there to to do it, and he won't even think twice uh about doing it either. It's um it it really is that it's it's always for me that the sleeper signing of the offseason, you know, other teams don't give it the reverence uh that I think they should. Um, and if you look uh over the years, all the teams that were kind of dynasty teams where they they had to yeah, where they won year-on-year championships. I I look at you know the Sheffield Cedars when they had like guys like Jason Hewitt on on those lower lines who ran the locker room. And when they left, that those dynasty teams kind of crumbled because you don't have that anchor, you don't have that, you know, give all every night, you know, lead by example, lead by voice type people, then they go away. And you know, you you can't let go of them, and we're really lucky that the love is reciprocated from they but we love him and he loves the badge, and uh, you know, he's a dad now as well, so that'll bring a different dimension, I'm sure, to the way he thinks about things and the way that he he thinks about life, and that'll add something as well.

SPEAKER_02 45:32

It really will. And uh and when I sat down with him, he managed to get himself away from Daddy Daycare for half an hour. So uh this is what he had to say, if a little tired at the time. Big welcome on Devil's Insider to another returnee for the Devils this year. Sam Duggan is back in Cardiff for another season. Dougie, congratulations. It's uh another year in Cardiff, your eighth season here. How does it feel to be back?

SPEAKER_07 45:52

Uh great, feels great to be back. It's always uh exciting to uh to to sign in the offseason and and look forward for the for the year to come. So uh can't wait. Yeah, eight seasons. It's been uh it's been a long time, but it doesn't feel like it. But um yeah, no, love it here. It's uh it's become home and uh very excited to be back.

SPEAKER_02 46:11

Yeah, the time has uh flown by. I remember the devil's announcing you years and years ago, and and and you know, we're a similar age, so we have I kind of feel like I've grown grown with you in this time as well.

SPEAKER_07 46:20

Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, it's um I think I uh say to people it kind of it was weird with the the COVID year in between, like because I did two years under Lordo um and then kind of COVID hit. So to think it would have been my ninth year this year, you know, and if if we would have played that year is is pretty crazy. Um, but yeah, it's been nothing but uh love for playing for Cardiff and and uh can't wait to carry it on.

SPEAKER_02 46:51

Before we do talk about uh we're going to touch on last season and we'll speak about obviously the season coming up. There is a congratulations in order. You uh not only celebrated a playoff trophy at the end of the season, you've also had a baby. How has it been the first few weeks and months as a dad?

SPEAKER_07 47:03

Yeah, amazing. Um good good couple weeks to finish off the year, that's for sure. Uh yeah, it was amazing going from the high of that playoff celebration and then straight into my fiancee giving birth two weeks later. It was um it was amazing, and she was a rock star, and uh boys happy and healthy, and and so is my fiancee. So all good there, and uh we're loving loving every minute of it. Not missing sleep too much at the moment. Uh well you last night we had a good night. Yeah, so you would have we would have done this interview a day before. I might have had a different answer, but uh no, yeah, it's uh all worth it.

SPEAKER_02 47:39

Good stuff. Well, well, let's let's speak about last season now. And and as we touched on, the devils won the playoffs to end the year, and uh, you know, it was uh a fantastic weekend, a fantastic build-up to it. And let's just chat a bit about that in particular. You know, the weekend was was a whirlwind, you know, that the devils go into it and and come up with a trophy. What kind of memories and feelings do you have around around how this season ended?

SPEAKER_07 47:59

Um I just think we we did a great job of kind of getting into a playoff mindset probably 15 games before we knew that that weekend was coming. Um, I think we went 14 and 1, something like that, uh leading into that weekend. So um, yeah, I just think it started a lot earlier. The preparation for that weekend started a lot earlier. Um then obviously we would have loved to have been in the fight for the league, uh, and that's always the goal, but that it did allow us with Belfast kind of being ahead by and knowing that we were sort of out of contention at that point, was to really focus on finishing strong and building momentum for for playoffs, and we did exactly that, we were the best team, and for a lot of the season I feel like in Stints we showed that we were the best team in the league, um, and we just need to find that consistency going forward here now. Um, but yeah, then coming into the weekend, it was just I think we were we were very confident with our game and where we were at, and we just knew if we all bought in and everyone played their played their part and and chipped in, then we would uh we would be happy with the result. And I think to a man, everyone did that. Um and it was uh it was such a good feeling. It was when that final buzzer went, it was I mean, I'm sure everyone saw from the celebrations and uh and all that stuff that that we we we definitely enjoyed it. Um but yeah, it was just amazing. We've we've come so close. I think I said it in an interview after the game. Um we we've come so close on numerous occasions, probably over the last four or five years, where we've we've got uh I've had some horrible thoughts to myself over the last couple of years with name and how many finals we've been to and and lost, unfortunately. Um whether that's in the cup or coming down to the last day of the league or or in the playoff final. So and especially last season with with or the season four last with Nottingham being the heartbreaker that it was, it was just all of that, I feel like mashed into one, you know, ball of emotion, and and it was uh it was a a big feeling of relief, I'd say, as well, when that when that when we got it done, um and just just happiness and and and and joy to to to spend that and and and and have that time with with the teammates that you've been with for so many years and know how hard they work. It was it was very special.

SPEAKER_02 50:34

Yeah, and and and like you say, the there have been losses over the previous years, but there's there was a lot of guys who had been through that and and maybe learned the lessons from it, and that's a big reason probably why you guys were able to not only get it over the line that we can, but click into the gear you did in the build-up to it as well.

SPEAKER_07 50:49

For sure. You I think it's a big part of the characters that we have in the room, is uh we know that sometimes you have to fail to in order to succeed, and if you don't learn from your losses, then you're not really ever gonna, you know, progress. So um, as players, I feel like that have been a part of that for so many years, we've definitely learnt from the situations that we've been in. And obviously, I was lucky to come into when I first come into Cardiff, it was an established winning we you know, we were winning something every single year, and uh it you know, I think we'd we'd gotten a we've gotten away from that for for for a few years and and and we've always been in the mix and we've won here and there, but uh I think um last year was a was a good start point again to almost rebuild that that consistent winning culture, and uh we as players are gonna buy into that and do everything we can to keep that now.

SPEAKER_02 51:54

That's interesting you say that because Marty came and and spoke to me and he talked about how this one was really satisfying, one of the more satisfying ones because of the years of build-up it had taken, and now it's about building on that as well. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_07 52:07

Um I mean, Marty and I spend a lot of time together through the season, obviously, but also in the off season, and we've uh we've had lots of conversations about how do we get back, how do we get back, how do we get back um as players, you know, and and because really it it all comes down to us um at the end of the day, uh we're the guys that are on the ice doing the job and uh you know not taking away anything from from other people that are involved or coaches or management because they play an absolute you know an instrumental part too. But at the end of the day, if the players don't do their job on the ice, nothing's gonna work. So um we sort of have taken that ownership on our upon ourselves, and uh it was nice to see it pay off at the end of last year.

SPEAKER_02 52:53

Yeah, because uh I've asked pretty much everybody who I've spoken to so far about the end of the season and about the moment that it kind of clicked into gear as well. But from a from a leadership standpoint and from a guy who has been here a while now and has been through some highs and some lows, and and how did you and and Marty and and and then the the other group kind of guys who've been here a while, who are part of that leadership group, impart that on the newer guys and and and how how much of an impact do you think it had then on yeah, getting getting going with with that 10-15 games left of the season?

SPEAKER_07 53:20

Yeah, I think um you you always try to hold standard um as as players that have been here for for for numerous years, um and it's just uh daily habits and and daily attitude that you can show up to the rink with every day. And to be fair to every every one of the the guys that come in they all bought in, you know, you're and you're gonna have bad days throughout the season, bad stints for a season, that's natural. Um you can't expect every day uh every day to be a perfect day. But uh as a whole, I mean the group we had last year was was unbelievable at that and and buying into that that uh attitude of coming to work every day and and getting better. And I mean we showed that obviously, like you said, in the last 15 games. I think it's very easy for teams maybe at that point to say, oh, okay, we're not gonna win the league, you know, let's we can take a foot off for this last little bit and and you know see what happens in playoffs. But we saw it as an opportunity to okay, let's put our foot down now and uh and really focus on these next couple months. And if we do that, and if we perform to the best of our ability and uh you know, and we're and we're ready for that, then we'll get the result we want. So uh yeah, I think it was um the character of the group showed all year, but especially through that last two months. I think it was really nice to see as a as a as a player, and for my fell uh for your fellow teammates to also buy into that. It was uh it was really something that was um encouraging to see and and definitely something we're gonna hold on to going forward.

SPEAKER_02 55:03

Obviously that that's player-led, but it was also from the coaching standpoint as well. And Tomo had came in over the summer and and it definitely felt that there was a change and there has been a change in the identity of the club, and that there's you know, not not in a disrespectful way, but maybe with previous coaches, we wouldn't have seen that step up in after you missed out on the league title. And and so, you know, how much of an impact did Tomo have and and how involved was he in that? And also, what you know, what was it like working with him this year? Was it everything you expected it to be?

SPEAKER_07 55:28

Yeah, I really enjoyed working with Tomo. Um, I think he's you know, he uh conducts himself very well on a daily basis, and uh um he knows what buttons to push at the right times, and that's all you can ask for a coach. Um I think you know there were there were tough days as a as a professional athlete, and you have to know as a coach to when to come down hard on the group and and sometimes when to you know give them a uh give them a break. But yeah, I think he had a good balance of that. And um yeah, credit to him and him, Kinger and and uh Nicholas. Um obviously worked with Nicholas a lot as well, being you know, the the in in charge of the peak uh penalty kill. And uh yeah, it was great. Um I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to to carrying on that that relationship going into next year.

SPEAKER_02 56:19

A lot of the guys have spoken about the room and how together it is, you touched on it just a little bit uh earlier. And and I mean I'm intrigued when you when you get a room like that, how much of the togetherness, how much of the chemistry is stuff that you can instill from you guys, and then how much of it is it kind of organic and and and just grows as the season develops?

SPEAKER_07 56:38

Yeah, you always uh I always find you you naturally get closer to people that you're around literally pretty much six days a week from middle of August to end of April. Um and it becomes a brotherhood, and as people know that have brothers, some days you get I was gonna swear, but uh some days you get you know annoyed at them and and but do you know what though? It's it's never even that. It's more something that you know you compete against each other during the day and then you have a chuckle about it afterwards. But um, you will you're always gonna naturally get uh closer to the guys around you. But also we had such a fun group this year, I think a fun group to be around. It was uh you know, a lot of funny guys in the room that you know have you laughing on it on a daily basis. Um you know, if there's too many to to to name a few, I think uh, you know, yeah, I'm I was trying to think of names, but honestly, I don't want to say a guy and then think afterwards, oh no, I should have said that guy too, because he's hilarious. Uh but uh just as a whole, it's a very um tight-knit group and we enjoy each other's company. Um, you have to, when you are if you're gonna be successful, you have to enjoy being around each other, and uh yeah, a lot of that is is player-led and and in terms of it depends on what characters you have in the room and how well they mesh together, but I've said it so many times, but when it comes to the Card of Devils, I think we're always you always get to the end of the year and think, oh, there was there wasn't any uh bad eggs in the room, you know. I think we've always got good people here, and regardless of results and performance, obviously that is the business we're in, but there's always good people in that locker room, and I think that goes a very long way, and and something that is a reason to why we have been successful in the past and why we were successful last year. Um, I'm not saying that on the years that we weren't successful we didn't have that because we we absolutely did. There was years where we didn't win anything, and you loved the the team just as much, right? And and sometimes that can make it even more heartbreaking when you don't win with a group that that you really get on well with. Um but yeah, no, it's uh it's something we always try to strive for every year, and that's through getting together away from the rink, you know, whether that's team dinners, you know, a couple lemonades and copes at the at the bar or uh, you know, hanging out um on the road and just just uh enjoying the time together because it can be a grind at times being on the bus uh you know, through long hours through the middle of winter, and uh you have to enjoy your your company because it's all you've got in that moment. Um, but yeah, so we're uh I'm looking forward to to seeing all the attorneys next year and trying not to spill the beans. I've done that too in the de views of the past where I've just announced half the team. So uh yeah, I'll uh I'll keep you you guys waiting for that one. But um yeah, no, I can't wait to see everyone again and and and uh pick up where we left off from.

SPEAKER_02 59:56

One of the other noteworthy moments for you throughout the year, of course, you you passed 400 games in the elite league, and and you must be very proud of the fact that yeah, you've you've put up so many games. You you're 28, 26, 27, 28, and and you you you're already at that 400 game mark, and that must be something you're very proud of.

SPEAKER_07 1:00:11

Yeah, extremely, extremely proud. Um I I didn't actually, I didn't, I had no idea. Uh Todd had text me the morning of that game and said, tonight's your 400th game, congrats, kind of thing. And uh it didn't really hit me until then. Oh wow, I've you know 400 games, but it feels like it could have been 40. Like it's flown by. It's uh I've loved every minute of it, and something I'm very proud of to do such a long stint with with one team is is pretty special, and um I think uh very proud to to represent Cardiff as a city. I love the people here, I love the fans. I met my fiance here, so it's and and now we have a little boy who was born here, so it's uh it's a it's a it's such a special place to me and uh somewhere I'm gonna always love playing.

SPEAKER_02 1:01:01

As we look ahead to next season now, it it's almost frustrating sometimes when when a team like the Devils did end in such good form, a three-month break feels like it's it you you almost think, oh well, if we could have kept going, almost we want to just jump into next season now. And and you know, that that break is it. We're in the middle of it now, and well, obviously, you know, everyone's enjoying some downtime. You a little bit less, so you're a little bit busier at the minute. But um, you know, as we look into next season, how do you now pick that up again and and and go and and get things moving once again?

SPEAKER_07 1:01:29

Um I think it's a tough one because I think uh momentum in in sport is such a huge thing, right? So I I 100% agree with what you said in terms of when you're on a roll like that, you do just want to keep going, you want to keep going. But I think we just have to do our best to remember what that feeling was when you know all the gear came off and with partying for a week, and uh we just have to to lean on that because if you're not in it to win, you know, if you're not in sport to win, then I don't know what you're doing it for. Um and I think we have a group that really grasped that at the end of last year. So um yeah, I think uh just just trying to remember what that felt like. I I know personally I I don't forget moments like that. I say, you know, I think everyone was taking moments to to soak it all in through that uh through that playoff win. And um that's gonna be the key coming into next year is just uh building on that and and finding that consistent form throughout the season so we can in the end you know lift as much silverware as we as we possibly can. So uh yeah, that's what I would say for that one.

SPEAKER_02 1:02:48

It's a pretty exciting time to be a devil, I think.

SPEAKER_07 1:02:50

Yeah, I think so. I think so. Um it's always exciting playing in front of the fans here and and and for the city and knowing that you know in my personal situation, I've got some of my best friends here that I've sort of built relationships with over the over the last eight years. And but yeah, I I I definitely agree that it's it's extra exciting with with the the way we finished off last year, and uh hopefully everyone can feel just as excited as we are coming into the next one.

SPEAKER_02 1:03:18

Well, Dougie, you're back for another year and there's plenty of work to do, but fingers crossed there'll be some trophies at the end of it. Congratulations again and uh thank you so much for chatting to me.

SPEAKER_07 1:03:26

Cheers, Dan.

SPEAKER_02 1:03:27

Big thank you to Sam Duggan for chatting to us as well. It's always great to hear from him. Now, the next signing is one that Devils fans were very nervous about in the offseason. They didn't know if this guy was gonna be back, and his Instagram posts were a little bit ambiguous. They left it up to the imagination, but it's the playfulness that we expect from Christian Stover, and he's back for his second year in Cardiff. And uh, Franny, if if you know you're gonna come off a a playoff title, and then you you you really want the guy who's backstop you to it to be back in Cardiff, and he is.

SPEAKER_01 1:03:55

Yeah, I mean, it's incredible to think that that was Stover's first year as a pro. Um, what a year it was. I mean, there was a tiny little bump in the middle, but I think for a first year pro it was incredible that it was, you know, it was so tiny. Um and you know, the the tandem worked really well because you know, Bouncy had streaks, Stove had streaks, but in that last whatever it was, third of the season, I think he just took it to a next level, not just you know, in Cardiff, but of the league. He was the standout goalie in the whole league. And when you think of the quality of goaltending that is throughout the league, he was incredible. I mean, running at what was it, you know, 95% for that for that stretch, just uh absolutely mind-blowing stats.

SPEAKER_02 1:04:42

Yeah, if you take out that bizarre 10 minutes in Coventry, obviously, where he had a tough ride of it, he actually had a 960 save percentage in the last 10 games. But that's absurd, that's ridiculous. Like the that I think that is it's kind of testament as well to the development that he had throughout the year. You kind of hinted at you know, maybe earlier on in that season he he wouldn't have put those numbers up, but the way he developed throughout the year in his first season pro was incredible to see.

SPEAKER_01 1:05:06

Yeah, I mean, one of the anomalies at the start of the year, because I thought he started really well on a personal level, but the devils weren't winning games with him in net, and that was just it wasn't down to him. He was doing his job. You know, I remember there was a game in Sheffield, he kept the devils in it, but you know, the rest of the team just had that terrible night, and you know, he'd lose that game. He didn't deserve to lose the game, and I'm sure you know there was times maybe he was questioning himself, you know, what have I got to do to win a game? Because he was pulling out all the stops. And you know, winning games is a skill in itself, um, and when you're a goalie, and uh yeah, he he kind of just took stock of that. He you know, did have an injury, didn't he? And then had that little bit of time out. And probably on reflection, that was good for him to just have a kind of think okay, what what do I need to do to take the level I'm playing at to. A level that wins games as well, and he came back from that injury and he was j just brilliant. But yeah, I mean that that last portion of the season, I think it was 14 odd games, with only the only loss being that one in Coventry that was that four four power play goals in five minutes. Um, that was the only loss that he had in those 14 games, you know, right the way through the playoffs. And um, you know, I don't think he was expecting to start the playoffs. I think he always thought, okay, well, this is where as a rookie goalie I get kind of pulled out despite what I've been doing. But you know, Thomas always said he's gonna go with uh the guys, whatever position they are that he feels are are in that moment, and Stover was in it. I I think it was incredible that he hadn't won a game against Coventry um up until that point, bizarrely. Um and that yet he goes into a home and home series against Coventry and was just absolutely immense. I think you know, one shot away from uh a double shutout over that, and you know, and then to have that pressure of the final four weekend, which I have seen a much bigger resume and much more experienced pros go to absolute pieces in that weekend, and it it's crazy to see the impact it can have when you're in that environment. It's an absolute uh you know, you know, it's such a pressure cooker environment. But he was the coolest guy out there, wasn't he?

SPEAKER_02 1:07:29

He really was. Guys, we spoke a little bit for in terms on last week's show the Ben Bounce aspects of of the relationship between the two. Well, actually, I think for Stover as well, it was a benefit coming into a locker room where you were paired with a guy like Bounzer who was experienced as he was, but also you could kind of bounce off of him, and and they worked really well together. And it meant that, yeah, like by the end of the season, Stover was confident because he wasn't worried about the ego of Ben Bounds and being funny about him taking the net. He was actually really positive about that.

SPEAKER_00 1:07:58

Yeah, I think it's it's a really healthy competition between him, isn't it? Because that's what's really amazing about uh Stover's run at the end of the season, is that Ben Bounds was doing absolutely nothing wrong. Ben Bounds is having a career year with eight shutouts uh you know uh across the season. So it was more a case of uh Stover having to not give Tomo even an ounce of doubt as to keep him uh on the ice. And I think that's what the really special part of it is to me that it it wasn't a giddy, it wasn't that you know, he he didn't have anyone around him challenging him, he had one of the best goalies he's ever seen challenging him and had to keep that level of performance up. And the fact that he did um rode us to that uh playoff title, I I think is really special. And I just hope now that uh during the summer and and that he's had time to reflect on it, that he's coming into this season with a huge amount of uh of confidence because uh I think uh a confident or I think I always feel that's a really big part of his game. I think if he's feeling confident, if he's feeling it on the ice, that the the kind of rest of it, all the technical aspects of it fall into place. So um yeah, really excited. And my phone blew up when he put that Instagram post on. The amount of people texting me going, Do you know if Stover's coming back? I don't think he is. No, no, no, no, he has to come back. Like, I've not had that for many players where people kind of lose their mind over the fact he might not be back, and that shows you that he's you know connected with the crowd and the fan base as well. And I think that that's always vitally important.

SPEAKER_02 1:09:29

One guy who he has connected with, and we've talked quite a lot about the relationship between Tomo and Stover and how they have that kind of fun relationship. And in the interview we're gonna hear, he talks a little bit about grumpy Tomo towards the end of the year, and he said he got a bit grumpy, but he he at the end of it said, I don't mind Tomo being grumpy if it means we win trophies. And Franny, that's the level of drive I think is people maybe don't see it, they see the fun, kind of happy-go-lucky guy, but actually he can be really serious as well.

SPEAKER_01 1:09:55

Yeah, I mean, who who could be serious, Tomo or Stova? They do have it's quite a funny relationship because you know, Stove knows he can push a few buttons on Tomo. Um, but Tomo secretly loves it as well, because I I think you know he's very uh open to having that kind of banter with his players, and uh, you know, it is it is a good, good, fun relationship to have. Um and at the end of the day, Stove knows that when it's game time, Tomo's serious, and Tomo knows when it's game time Stove is serious, and uh, you know, uh it's uh it it's such a it's it's so nice to have like a young character in that dressing room, you know, that's a bit goofy and uh you know will will say funny things, something that the boys can laugh at, but then knowing that he's got that switch that he can just step onto the ice and then he just gets in the zone. And uh you know, there there's maybe not a better sight seeing Christian Stover in the zone and with all the talent that he's got, you know, he's such a good puck handler as well. You know, you just you don't know what's coming next from the big saves to maybe a breakaway pass.

SPEAKER_02 1:11:04

Exactly, yeah. And it's gonna leave Tomo with uh a very pleasant headache to have in terms of going into next season. How do you start it? What do you look at? But I think that's uh that can only be a good thing, and you can only ask for having you know to have two good goalies. But uh our eight minutes is up now, so we're gonna uh listen in from Stove. And this is quite the interview. I hope you guys all enjoy this one. Ladies and gentlemen, a huge welcome on Devil's Insider to another attorney for the Devils for the 26-27 season. It's one of the fans we're a little bit nervous about, but you'll be glad to hear that Christian Stover is back in net for another year. Christian, congratulations, your second year in Cardiff. How do you feel?

SPEAKER_05 1:11:39

I feel good. I'm a little sick right now, so not that good, but um, I feel great to be coming back. I'm excited.

SPEAKER_02 1:11:45

Yeah, well, we hope you feel a little bit better soon. But uh yeah, but by the time you're back in Cardiff, let's just chat a little bit about signing on for a second year. What convinced you to sign back here?

SPEAKER_05 1:11:54

Um it I it didn't take much. Like it's it's hard to it's hard to want to leave after like a winning season like that, I think. Um I know the I know the UK league cares about the league title uh a whole lot more than playoffs, but for me it's in it's in like my blood to always kind of ramp it up at the playoff time. And um, I don't know. That for me out that was like a big goal and to win playoffs, but uh coming second place for the league for first year with a lot of first year guys, uh like Tomo, um, I think was huge for our group. And like we saw and we knew the whole year that we could have won. We just had a couple lapses uh at times that kind of kind of didn't help us there at the end, and especially Belfast going on on a run that they had. But um, we all know it's in the room. Um, so I feel like there's a lot of unfinished business with a lot of guys there, and why not try and win more titles if we could?

SPEAKER_02 1:12:54

Yeah, I'm sure the fans will be very happy to hear that and and then to see that you know that there is that unfinished business because people were nervous, you know, they they they they saw the end of the season, they saw you post an Instagram saying say thank you, Cardiff. And I think people were a bit nervous that they might not see you back here, but uh it must be it must feel nice that that you're so wanted here in Cardiff.

SPEAKER_05 1:13:11

No, for sure. I mean, I think I think it's just human nature that wherever you go, no matter what hockey aside, like no matter what you're doing, what what job you have, what relationship you're in, um just human nature to just feel wanted and and be wanted and make sure those around you feel wanted. So um no, that post was just like I think it was it blew it, it was a little blown out of proportion, but um it was just yeah, it was just a thanky car of like, yeah, because that was that truly was the most fun I've I've had playing hockey in a long time. Um and you're you're lucky you're lucky any time you're you're able to win a major um trophy like that or something and for your respective league.

SPEAKER_02 1:13:57

You you came to Cardiflash, it was your first year pro, straight out of bowling green, and and you know, how do you find the transition from going to playing in college to to turn in pro?

SPEAKER_05 1:14:08

Um I I I thought it was gonna be a bit harder. Uh I don't know if the Olympic I think the Olympic ice helps me there, um, as we talked about in the previous podcast, but I I don't know. Uh me and Ryan Barrel have a joke. I probably won't say it on here, but it's just like I don't I don't know. I just I'll let my mind go during games and stuff, and uh you're basically not thinking. And I feel like that played a big part um in a helpful way for my success and our success on the ice. And um, I don't know, just go out there not thinking about the results and just going to have fun. Um, I think helped a lot massively, and um it just yeah, paid dividends towards the end there.

SPEAKER_02 1:14:57

Yeah, I mean it really did. Yeah, the devil's go and win the playoffs and uh uh first trophies in your first year pro that must have been a pretty good experience to to go and win it straight off the bat.

SPEAKER_05 1:15:06

Yeah, no, and especially hearing some dinosaurs like Furie that did haven't won it their whole time. So um uh no, it's like it put in perspective how how lucky like I truly was to win in my first year, like product opponent winning this first year. Um some other guys that have played in different leagues, like FC's like won in the Danish league last year and then came over here, won it. Um so yeah, like I know some guys have been lucky in their pro careers to to be winning a good amount of stuff, and then I know some other guys haven't. So it was it was really special to be a part of that, um, to help those guys that haven't won uh win it finally, and then just keep adding more for for the guys that have. Um, and like I said, obviously, like me and the other rookies that have never played pro, and to to be able to experience that with the group of guys that we had that I thought was a pretty tight dead group, um, it was it was a lot of fun, and like guys are still messaging like about it today, and um, yeah, it's something that we'll think about forever.

SPEAKER_02 1:16:15

Oh, for sure. And you guys really got a chance to to celebrate it as a group, but not only that, you've got to celebrate it with the fans as well. And and then there was a fair few photos of you with with the trophy and salt box, and everybody was getting involved drinking from from the trophy and stuff. It was uh it was a pretty pretty wild party, wasn't it?

SPEAKER_05 1:16:30

Yeah, I um I don't know, I think at least with my physios, I think I'm pretty known to it could be like a big win and I'll be in the room and I feel like they're constantly like, hey, you okay? And because I feel like I feel like it's uh at least goalie is such a such a mental sport, and I always turn into like a robot sort of and be like and I try to I try to have fun and try to relax and like keep the banter up when I'm playing, but um like the way I get myself in the zone and I just kind of get this like laser focus, like I just I don't know, and towards the end of the game I'm always just coming down from all the caffeine and the adrenaline and all that. So so when we won and I had no food in my stomach and no no no water in my body, and I think honestly, I had to get off the ice uh when we were celebrating because a group of fans were like, oh, finish it to like this little bit of whiskey, and I had to get off the ice because I I was starting to to feel it there, and um, I don't want to drop any of the glass bottles, but then salt burn. I don't know if you heard like giving away all my loot and my jacket and my shirt, my metal. Um, I was lucky lucky enough to get that back. Uh some people went on Twitter and uh were asking around for me, and I got it back no problem. Um, yeah, so it's cool to have that again, but um, no, nothing will compare to that. That was yeah, that was a fun experience, and we were lucky to share it with the fans.

SPEAKER_02 1:18:04

Yeah, you mean you've you you've got to celebrate those ones, and and why why not do it as big as you can? But um, coming into Cardiff, you know, you you shared the net with Ben Bounds as well this year, and and he's obviously a legend here, and and that could have been a really daunting thing for a especially for a first-year pro, but you guys seem to have a really good relationship, and it worked really well.

SPEAKER_05 1:18:21

Yeah, um no, like Franny said in the first interview as well. Um, like I told him in the recruiting process, like no matter like where I went, I knew I was gonna have to battle with someone to play. And I don't know, like why not have it be Ben Bounce? He's obviously a fully decorated uh goalie and right now at the World Championships, and he's been there an ample amount of times before. Um coming off of 50 shutouts for the under one organization is crazy. Um and he's yeah, he's obviously been around the game for a lot longer than I have. So um it was great to be able to ask him uh questions on ice, off ice about random things and seeing how he was able to to jump into pro hockey, obviously not uh with a family, and then uh like with his current state now with his wife, daughter, and um seeing how he's able to juggle all that um along with half the other guys. I feel like we popped out seven babies this year, and um, I'm slowly, slowly like learning and watching them, how they all kind of handle their day-to-days uh when life gets a little crazy.

SPEAKER_02 1:19:43

Of course, another another good relationship you had this year was with Tomo, and and he put a lot of faith in you down the stretch, you know, to hold that starting role. You he very easily could have switched back to to Ben Bounds when Bouncey was fit, but he stuck with you. And you must be very proud to put up the numbers that you did and repay that faith that he had in you.

SPEAKER_05 1:20:00

No, um, absolutely. I think uh yeah, me and um me and Tommel and honestly like Nicholas and Kanger, like we've like I've never had a relationship the way I've had uh with them with the coaching staff before, but um I don't know the the way I play and to answer your question, like yeah, it was massive that he let me ride with it when when I knew I was playing well, and um yeah, he easily could have made that transition over to Bouncy again, especially uh uh after the one Coventry game where when four goals and Bouncy went in there, shut the door, and um yeah, I started the next game like against Sheffield. And so I I think that was like a big moment um to see if I was able to bounce back. I'm sure it was like a bit of a test in a way as well to see what they were gonna do for the last, I think what we had two games left at that point, and then playoff started. So it was gonna be a a bit of a test to see if I could handle that adversity coming back from a game like that. But um, I I think Bouncy can attest to this too. You you're able to play a lot better and a different style and when you know you have the coach's trust, um, and you're able to not really think about think about too much uh what could go wrong, and just thinking, okay, like they they believe in me and just gotta show up, do my part, and yeah, just go from there.

SPEAKER_02 1:21:35

You mentioned Ewan King actually there as well. You know, he's um uh i it it's a bittersweet moment this summer because he's got a new job and he's not gonna be in Cardiff next year. And and you must be really excited and proud of him and what he's achieved, but also gutted that yeah, you're not gonna get the chance to uh to work with him again next year as closely.

SPEAKER_05 1:21:51

Yeah, I um because yeah, we uh me and the staff were talking and I mentioned something to Todd, and then like the next morning Kinger reached out. I'm like, okay, like we're getting this going. And and when I called Kinger back, and he was just like, hey mate, like um they just wanted to let you know, like for me, um, I'm leaving and going to X job and you're like the reasons. And I like I yeah, like we see what the coaches do all year, how like they live away from home. And um he's got I think three girls at home, so I I had no problem with it uh in terms of his personal life. Selfishly for me, I didn't like it. Um I'm yeah, I don't know how Bohunzi is because he's been with them a lot longer than I have been, but um no, he was great. And one thing I was telling my parents when when I heard he laughed was like he was he was a major part and in how I was able to succeed, I feel like at times. Um he knows I play well and I'm joking around and having fun and like having a smile on my face and all that. So if like the game was kind of going in a different direction, or if like the vibes were in a different direction than they shouldn't have been, he would come in, just all all he needed to do is like one luck or one quick little talk and um just help me get back to being that level-headed uh in the net. But no, I'm happy for him. Um, I'm sure all the guys are happy for him. I'm just excited to see whoever comes in here next uh and be able to work with them. Um but yeah, I wish him luck and I'm sure he's gonna do great where wherever he goes.

SPEAKER_02 1:23:35

As as we look at next year now, of course, you you're back and there's a chance now for you to build on what you did this year. What do you what do you want to see from yourself now going into this second season in Cardiff?

SPEAKER_05 1:23:46

Um I don't know. Honestly, maybe try some new food places. Uh I don't know. Hockey, hockey-wise, I I yeah, I there's gonna be a little bit more of an expectation out of me, I feel like. Uh, but I don't know. I'm gonna just embrace it one one game at a time, one practice at a time, and not really think about the whole grand scheme of things. Uh, I feel like that's when you look at the bigger picture, you start to forget about the smaller picture in front of you and starts to get all blurry. So I feel like you focus on one day at a time, and um obviously we want to win playoffs, we want to win the league, we want to win the challenge cup, but um yeah, we can't really worry or focus on that when we have to worry about one game at a time. So um, no, I'm just gonna control control when I'm able to, and um just hope hope that we can get a good start and training camp going.

SPEAKER_02 1:24:44

Um I'm glad you've mentioned the food places because in in my notes ahead of today, I uh I wrote, are you planning on going back to Calibracetter anytime soon when you get back to Oh yeah?

SPEAKER_05 1:24:54

Um no, me and Sadie, well mostly Seti. Seti will always give me crap for and I didn't know Channel. Like I I would always give him a bunch of like before us too. Like, but now I I will give him credit for it. Um because he would always I he would always ask. He was like a I don't even want to say big brother, he was more of like a grandpa, uh, the way he would act and and micromanage me, I feel like. And um I remember he would ask like like whenever my ex-girlfriend would come in town and be like, Oh, like so where'd you guys go? And I'd say the spot, and I'm thinking, okay, like because like we genuinely enjoyed some spots down in the quay, and he'd be like, Are you kidding me? And I'm like, What's wrong with that? He's like, he would call them chain restaurants. So I'll go to Pizza Express, Pizza Express, and I I like their desserts there, but um, and but whatever. We started going on like authentic food trips to like Chinese, and so we would go to uh Matsudai or Hatsuudan, and um we started going on these like searches for good ramen spots, and whatever, some Italian spots, and so there's like the Kione and the city center, uh, which is a little hole in the wall. But and we found we were so angry, it was me, him, and Steve McLean when we went to uh how do you calabricia, yeah, yeah. Yeah, Calabricia, and we go in there, and this is like Italian girl work, and he said we're like, okay, it's gonna be good. Um we um no, and we ordered like I think we ordered two pizzas, like a whole plate of pasta, like two or three appetites, because that's how good the food was. And um like when he played out in Austria, he learned some uh Italian, I think. So he was just showing off with that with the waitress, uh, which is annoying because he has a girlfriend and was like me and me and Steve did him, but uh, so we were just letting him do his thing. But um no, they were really cool people and like they were they were being really uh kind to us and like talking about the food and what whatnot. So um no, I'll be going back there for sure when I when I'm coming when I come back.

SPEAKER_02 1:27:02

Oh yeah, I'm sure we can try and organize a sponsorship or something uh this season.

SPEAKER_05 1:27:07

I was saying that, I was like, why don't we like do a deal with them? Because like they would 100% yeah, like they they were talking about how they have teams in there every now and then, and like that I said to said, I'm like that, this would be my pregame spot if I had I known that this place was here all year. Like I would have been driving a disappox and then going home before each each uh game day. But yeah, maybe the next year.

SPEAKER_02 1:27:33

So the last the last question I have for you uh is is you know, it's it's a long old off season. I'm just wondering, you know, have you got any chirps saved up for Tomos for when you get back? Have you got anything you've thought of over the summer that you're excited to see your coach again?

SPEAKER_05 1:27:47

Um no, I even if I did, I feel like I'd have to keep it private just so he yeah, because I I don't know. I I have to feel him out again because he did kind of turn into a little grumpy Tomo. at towards the end of the year, which um yeah, wouldn't talk to us much. So I each day I would like kind of side-eye whenever he walked by to like think, okay, are we like am I able to trip him? And some days towards the end, like like we would get him a little bit looser than normal and he'd crack a smile. But um no I'm sure I'm sure uh I'll improvise on the spot. It's I feel like those are those are how the best trips come. That's how like the whole peanut butter thing started. So yeah we'll see if he looks in the mirror and calls himself fat again because that's how the whole that's how it all started and I don't think he I don't think he knew I was in there and I don't know. Hopefully his wife uh is happy with how he looks because he was worried about that.

SPEAKER_02 1:28:44

But uh well you know if if we get grumpy Tom or it brings some trophies then uh I'm pretty happy with that that that trade off for for the year.

SPEAKER_05 1:28:52

I've I'm fine with that. If he is grumpy and we're able to to pour some bottles of water on him at the end of the year then yeah I'm good at that.

SPEAKER_02 1:29:00

Well Christian thank you so much for jumping on the podcast we really appreciate it. Congrats again on being back and uh we're looking forward to seeing you back in Cardiff and it'll it'll roll around before we know it.

SPEAKER_05 1:29:09

No I know of course I'm excited and yeah I'm excited to see everyone and all the fans out there.

SPEAKER_02 1:29:14

Massive thanks as ever to Christian Stover. I mean he's a Mercurial character he's funny we all love chant him and we can't wait to have him back in Cardiff. We are going to start now on our final player to discuss in today's episode stop watch starts now and that is Cohen Olashevsky and uh another guy we're excited to see back in Cardiff.

SPEAKER_00 1:29:32

It's another guy who stuck around for one two now three seasons and gaz you know as we're gonna hear from from Ollie in his interview he's a guy is incredibly I I've used the word driven a couple of times already but also very well spoken very good part of the locker room and and a good leader in there as well yeah one thing I wrote on uh Twitter the other day um when he was uh announcers coming back is something that hadn't really uh uh come to me before is that uh he's the modern day Jake Morissette for me uh he does a bit of everything he does a bit of penalty killing but he can score goals you can put him on any line and it will improve you know if he was given the C you wouldn't even think twice about his suitability uh for it he isn't gonna get those 30 to 35 goals a year but he will get you those underneath sort of 15 to 20 to 25 range that you need to just supplement your big scorers so yeah that that that kind of clicked for me and I was like yeah that that that is to me his role on this team it is that you know but he's uh Kohn Oloshewski but the shades of Jake Morissette and that that value that I get is definitely there. So again another vital piece and uh it was so clear so quickly last year wasn't it how important Tomo seen him as part of his plans having not coached him before it did not take him very long to win tomo over as to his style of play and you know that to me speaks volumes.

SPEAKER_01 1:30:58

Franny the the he was the guy who scored two goals in the playoff final and you know we talk about how maybe he's not going to put 30 goals up but he scores them in the big moments and uh and and and he kind of set that tone for that playoff final by by getting a power play goal yeah he did and and that's what you expect from Ollie um I mean I think he's a tomo player isn't he because he gives you the same thing um every night every practice he's you know he's a proper pro um you know he has got that leadership again not a a rah rah leadership but just a kind of assured confident um matter of fact leader you know you ought to see in the university University of Denver which you don't get to do unless you have those qualities um yeah it's uh I think at the start of the season and you know this is not to say that he declined um but at the start of the season I think he was our best player outright our best player and you think of the roster that we have that's that's some going and you know there was a lot of guys that took a bit of time to warm up and it was guys like Ollie and Ryan Barrow that were carrying the team offensively and that's not really their roles to do it. They're there you know I like I love the analogy of the Jake Morissette you know because he does that he fixes lines he complements the other two on his lines but he was also you know leading the charge um making sure that while other guys weren't um quite firing on all cylinders that the devils were still winning games and you know he's he is a very important uh piece of this Cardiff Devils uh team that you know are so driven to try and get that league title he really is and and and tomo spoke about line fixes last year barrow was obviously the the the big one but olzevsky does the same thing in the you can put maybe two skill guys who are who are not quite clicking and it's not quite working for them but if you put Olashevsky on that line you can trust him to go and do the the the dirty grinding work and then allow the two come more skill guys to flourish and and that's such a benefit to have more than one guy like that on the team. Yeah and and speaking to Tomo you know as we move through the recruitment for this summer you know he does it right everybody normally talks about lines and okay who's gonna be line one who's gonna be line two tomo likes to look at it in pairs because what he likes is a pair with the offensive kind of responsibilities and then a a guy like an Oliveshewski a barrow to complement those two guys to get the best out of them and you know you could put him on any line and he will make those two other guys better.

SPEAKER_02 1:33:34

Gaz I know you love a stat and I was just looking through through a few in preparation for the show and and we talked about the penalty killing and of the other guys in this podcast. Well obviously Oli has been out there on the peak here as well and if you look at the the face off differential of players you know Joey Martin finished last season plus 65 Scott Conway great forward in the league plus 74 chase Pearson another great one plus 55.

SPEAKER_00 1:33:55

Olochewsky get a plus 95 face-off differential you can trust him in the big moments you can trust him to kill penalties you want him out there in the big moments that's huge isn't it like that I didn't quite realize it was up uh up that much but uh you know you saw it towards the end of the of the year Oli was often sent out in big moments to to go that dot and you know that's obviously why and again much like we were talking about you know Sam Deggan and you don't always see on elite prospects you know the the big things that he brings it's things like that isn't it where um you might not get a point for winning a draw in an offensive area uh because there might be two other passes but without him that doesn't happen equally uh you don't see a goal against us because he's won a big defensive uh draw that snuffs out any kind of more attack and I think just going back quickly to that theme of him being a fixer on any line I think what makes him such a special player is you can give him any role so if he was to go on a line where you ask him to score goals he could do it. If you ask him to go on a line where he has to just go and win back retain packs you know stifle people he can do it. If you want him to be a playmaker on a line he can do it and you know that's not that's not easy to change sometimes shift by shift what what you're what you're asked to do and to do it to such a high standard and that baseline of consistency that Cohen Olashevsky has is above many a player uh in this league delighted to have him back in devil's colours Franny the last thing I'll ask because our time is running low on on Olashevsky and and we've spoken about the fact that he wore a C in Denver he's worn an A in Cardiff and he got the A in Cardiff with Tomo as well and Tomo came in and he picked his his leadership group and Olashevsky was on it.

SPEAKER_01 1:35:42

He's another guy that I think is important to and we've spoken about it at length and we'll continue to talk about it all summer the the the group the atmosphere the the way that these guys want to approach this season and and he is another outspoken voice that's uh could only be a benefit to the Devils yeah he he it's it's um his voice it's it's not the loudest voice but like I said it it's that assured voice it's that professional voice it's that uh voice that demands from others um to get the job done and uh you know I I've spoken at length to Oli and Barrow about you know what makes Denver so good and you know all the things that you see them doing on a daily basis is from that um you know from from that background of Denver and Denver are very clever in their recruitment is that they seek out these kind of characters that they know that they can mold into that machine and and that's how I would describe Oli he is a machine you know you just wind him up you put him out there you watch him go and you know he's gonna get in on the four check you know he's gonna have his responsible defensive responsibilities you put him out on those big faceoffs you you know a lot of times he's not gonna lose that big draw when it's needed and we saw that in the playoff final when you know uh Sheffield cut the lead there was I there was a draw on the right hand side in the devil's defensive zone and I knew who was going to be sent out to take that face off it was only going to be Olafchevsky and it was um and he won it of course um but yeah it's uh you know he is a leader it was uh it was very evident early on I remember Tomo commenting to me because Tomo remember he didn't uh just inherit the leaders he said no I'm gonna make my own mind up on this and you know there was the change of captain um and there was a you know a few guys that lost letters a few guys that gained letters and very quickly you know he loved the conversations that he was having with Ali he loved the way that he was around the locker room you know very popular but very demanding as well and very professional and I knew that that you know he was going to make him one of his letters and uh he didn't disappoint.

SPEAKER_02 1:37:55

Yeah very professional guy very polite guy and uh what the interview you're gonna hear now is another example of that because my word does he speak well Olashevsky uh so take a listen to this a huge welcome on Devil's Insider to another attorney for the Devils for the 26-27 season cohen oleshevsky is back in Cardiff Oli congratulations it's uh it's great to have you back how do you feel thank you very much yeah I feel great thank you for having me um yeah it's awesome I'm already looking forward to next year uh it's great to be back I was uh when I was preparing my notes for this interview I was going to ask you about the process of re-signing but actually uh Nolan Uremko kind of announced you as as being back next year all the way back in kind of September on the podcast when he told everybody that you had a contract for this year. So uh it's less of a surprise maybe for everybody but it's great to have you back and uh and you know when you had the chance to re-sign it obviously for the two years that must have been a a really nice kind of opportunity for you.

SPEAKER_06 1:38:46

Absolutely yeah yeah it's the first time in my career where uh I've been able to sign for more than one year so it's something that was was comforting and and you know just a little a little extra kind of you know you just have that time you know you know where you're gonna be have things planned out family wise and everything like that. So so it's great. It's a nice feeling um obviously thrilled to be back.

SPEAKER_02 1:39:06

And and Cardiff at this point has has become home for you and then we think of guys like Ryan Barrow as well who are part of like a a good group of you guys who came in a couple of years ago Uremco similarly came in over uh last summer and and there's a nice community of you guys now who are kind of the more recent addition to the Devils.

SPEAKER_06 1:39:22

For sure yeah that's a that's a great way to put it um there's there is a great group of us I think it's like you said it's kind of a part of that that newer core if you will and it's uh you know it it kind of makes it easy for for guys like me to to sign early on and sign for two years or whatever it might be knowing that you have such a great group and it's uh it's an easy place to to want to come back to so it makes a decision very easy not not wanting to go into the summer and consider anything else or anything like that. So it's yeah it's nice.

SPEAKER_02 1:39:51

Having said that of course the the the the entire team seemed this year or the season just finished to to get on very well and and and it felt like a very very good group and a group that gelled very well.

SPEAKER_06 1:40:01

For sure and that's such a huge part of it all like having having a group that wants to show up every day together and have fun and enjoy yourself because it is such a long season and if you don't have that it's uh it's going to be really tough to have any success.

SPEAKER_02 1:40:14

And I mean you know you think of you guys gelling well together well the the the the party after the playoffs was kind of testament to that and uh have you quite recovered from the few days after the playoff fire yeah no it was so much fun. I mean like that's that's really what it's all about like being able to win with a group as close as we were it was uh such an unbelievable time we made so many memories it was such a blast like you you can't beat that we'll we'll kind of go in reverse chronological order and we'll we'll start with obviously the devils winning the playoffs and and and one of the last moments of that game was you getting that empty net goal and just take me through what was going through ahead when when Tyson Helgerson picks up the puck and he almost fumbles it and does eventually turn it towards net and you you can put it in the back of the net.

SPEAKER_06 1:40:55

Yeah that was hilarious I mean we we were laughing about that after just the way the way that puck blew up off his stick and I was like just standing in front like oh boy let's see see if he can find a way to get it over he sure did so it was that was that made for some good laughs after he was we were both cracking up pretty good. It was a cool moment. And it was just chaos on the bench as that buzzer goes and and everyone onto the ice yeah absolutely that was uh it was it was the first time I've I've really won anything in my career especially in my pro career so that was uh you know I've been hoping for something like that for a long time it was uh yeah it was something very special and that the moment where you get to to throw all your gear get uh just go nuts it was uh it was a very very special moment early in the right game of course you'd uh you you scored the first goal of the game and got the devils on the board pretty early on the power play and and and you know that was an important moment I thought in the final for kind of setting that tone and and and showing that the Devils were were there to play that day. For sure yeah I think especially when you you get an early power play in a game like that it can go one of two ways where you know a team can kill off a four minute double minor and and have a lot of momentum because of that and you can kind of get deflated as a team who was on the power play but you know fortunately we had I think the the group that went out first had a ton of good looks and it was you know not a it was we were close there already and I think we came out and and scored right away pretty much so that was I think it kind of helped the group settle into the game a little bit and just be like you know okay we got one on the on the power play a bit of a weird play to even get the power play but um yeah it definitely helped us settle in and I think it was a really confidence boosting for us. And you know like I say the devils go and win the playoffs and and you'd been there the year before you'd been through the heartbreak of course of of losing the previous year in in in such crazy fashion so uh was it a bit of redemption to to get one uh the following year for sure I think that it made it kind of a full circle moment like it was such an insane way to lose the the year before like you couldn't really have drawn it up any worse from our point of view like just the way the way the game was kind of not taken out of our hands but it was all it was just such a bizarre game and to be on the wrong end of that is is just like a nightmare so for it to come back and and get another chance and for us to to get the job done was was a massive relief.

SPEAKER_02 1:43:22

Such a great feeling a lot of the guys I've spoken to as well kind of they they they talk about how it was a build up to that playoff when it wasn't just that weekend it was the weeks and the month probably before that that the Devils really grew into and and by the end they were they were the best team in the league you'd probably be fair in arguing.

SPEAKER_06 1:43:40

Yeah I think I think that's fair a fair assessment.

SPEAKER_02 1:43:43

I mean we were we were playing unbelievably at the end of the year towards you know I think I'm not sure exactly what the the number of games we won in a row to end the season but I think outside of one one loss in Coventry we were on a a pretty good streak to end the year and I mean that's kind of what it's all about going into playoffs is getting hot and just finding a way to to keep that groove going you you wore an A this year as well for the Devils and you know we we've heard from a few different guys Joey Martin spoke about it and and he said that you know though they they got to a point in the season where you know you the league title was pretty much gone there was conversations had and the decision was made to put everything in for the playoffs and go for it and and as a guy who was part of that leadership group you like I say you wore the A. How did you approach that challenge?

SPEAKER_06 1:44:28

How did you you kind of take on that that role and then and then kind of lead the team through that that decision to make and and move on and concentrate on the playoffs yeah I mean I I wouldn't say it's so much of a decision as to like stop focusing on one and start focusing on the other like I think as as hockey players especially us North American imports who you know we come from a background of of playoff hockey always being the the kind of the goal and the buildup and and we come to this league and the regular season's also you know the big title too so it's a bit of a mindset shift in a way but just hockey players nature is is built towards you know getting better and winning playoffs going on playoff runs that's kind of what just it's all about and that's what we all know. So it wasn't so much of a decision as you know okay the league's done the league's done with now let's now we're gonna try and focus on winning the playoffs like I think in Cardiff we always want to win everything. Like it doesn't it doesn't matter what it is it's all going to be equal importance to us.

SPEAKER_02 1:45:33

So hopefully moving forward we can uh you know get even more than just the playoffs done and integral to that as well of course was was was Paul Thompson who came in last summer and and there felt like a bit of a culture shift when he came in and a different approach and he's obviously back next year and and and the the idea is obviously to go on and use that playoff win to to to to catapult I guess you on to to more trophies. What did you what did you feel to to working with him and and how was it his approach do you think to to the game and like I say to to these kind of chit shifts in culture yeah he was great for us.

SPEAKER_06 1:46:05

I don't think uh you know the approach isn't anything crazy it's just uh it's just kind of a lot of hard work and and discipline and being dialed in together into kind of what system we want to do and I mean you bring in a new staff and new players to to any team I think there's going to be a bit of an adjustment an adjustment period and I think there probably was this year and whether you know I think it went pretty much as smoothly as it could have but you know there's still going to be an adjustment so I think that gives us an advantage going into next year returning um with the same staff and a lot of the same players so it's uh something that I haven't experienced before. This will be my fifth year pro in my first year playing for the same staff back to back years. So um that's um it's something I'm looking forward to because I think there's a lot of value in that. Yeah we will look ahead to next year now and and what are you wanting to see not only from your game from the Devils and and how do you guys build on yeah the successes of the end of the year yeah um obviously from a team standpoint I think we just like you said we want to keep improving on the successes of last year like the our expectations are are only getting higher now and I think we have that confidence now knowing that we can win so it's it's something that maybe was maybe the organization was in a little bit of a slump for a few years that um trophy wise but I think now that we got one it's hopefully that kind of adds that confidence from the whole organization's point of view and that we can you know continue to get more I mean you're looking ahead now you you must be pretty excited to get back here.

SPEAKER_02 1:47:35

I know I know you everybody enjoys heading away for the offseason and having a bit of calm time but you must be pretty excited to get back and and get back to work again.

SPEAKER_06 1:47:42

For sure yeah that's that's uh how you know you're in a good spot is when you know you have a couple weeks off a little time to recover and enjoy yourself but you kind of already start thinking about like man this is yeah I am excited to get back. So that's uh it's a great feeling like you know it's not uh not dreading it at all. I mean it's it doesn't feel like an obligation. So it's yeah it's very exciting. Um yeah already looking forward to it a ton.

SPEAKER_02 1:48:05

Finally just what's your message to the fans ahead of the next year you know I we we have the the scenes at the playoffs are fantastic of course right behind the bench and they were all supporting you so it's you know they were so loud they were so passionate. And you know what's your message to them now ahead of next year and like I say taking this chance and building on it.

SPEAKER_06 1:48:20

Yeah well just a huge thank you for for last year and everything that was uh accomplished from you know team and fan standpoint altogether I think it was incredible and it was it was fun to do it together and that setting in Nottingham is so special like the the celebration afterwards just the the how packed the rink was kind of just half and half red and orange like it's a very cool atmosphere. So just a big thank you for that. And then obviously moving forward you know I'm looking forward to to trying to do do the same and more with the with the group and with the support behind us which we always have. So it's you know we're all we're all so grateful for it. It's it's a great community environment that we have we know we know they always have our backs and I think they know that we're always gonna gonna give it our best. So it's a it's a great relationship uh can't wait to you know continue it here.

SPEAKER_01 1:49:09

Well Cohen we wish you the very best we're looking forward to having you back here and uh and the fans will be very excited to see you back on the ice thank you so much for joining the podcast and uh yeah enjoy the rest of your summer we'll uh catch you very soon I'm sure thanks a lot Dan you too massive thanks to Cohen Olashevsky for joining the show I mean guys I can take a breath now that's uh it's been relentless stuff for the last 40 minutes or so but we've got through everybody and uh I hope everyone's enjoyed uh Franny any any any more little notes from today's show that you want to bring up just before we before we let you go um well probably by the time this goes out I think there'll be another new face uh to the card of devils one I'm very excited about I'm not gonna say anything more than that but I'm sure we'll get to hear from him very soon and we'll uh you know on our next summer debrief we'll uh we'll go through that one and uh yeah someone I'm really excited about.

SPEAKER_02 1:50:00

Yeah that's uh I'm I'm excited to see and and we'll find out I'm sure over the coming days who it is but uh yeah guys that's all for today's show we really appreciate you joining I appreciate everybody who jumped on calls with me or the interviews it's been great to hear from the guys and uh thank you to everybody for listening as well it's uh it's it's great to have your listeners over the Sunnel. We know that it's you know it's hot and maybe the hockey isn't at the front of your mind but it's great to have you all listening once again. And uh yeah as Franny says we will I'm sure be back very soon with some more interviews and uh maybe some new guys as well to join the show. So we will uh see you then. Thank you very much for listening. 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