Devils Insider - 2026/27 Season Preview

On this week's episode of Devils Insider the guys cast their eye on the upcoming season. 

Welcome back: As we head into another season, it's back to school for the guys! (00:00) 

Pre-season: With games against Odense, Angers, Sheffield and Nottingham to look forward to, the guys give their thoughts on an exciting pre-season campaign in prospect (06:30) 

League and Cup: September is right around the corner and the Devils will be fighting for trophies on two fronts, how do they approach the season? (15:50) 

The Elite League: As another season gets going, the trio chat about news from around the league, and the state of the EIHL (35:00) 

Mark your calendars: The key dates throughout the season, and the games to keep an eye out for (48:52) 

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:00

Today's podcast is brought to you by Minerva Hearing. Hear the cheers, protect your ears. Hello, everybody, and welcome back to Devil's Insider for the start of the 26-27 season. We're back after a long old summer. We've had plenty of summer series episodes, but this is it. We are back to it ahead of the season. It's our season preview episode. We can't wait to get back going. Pre-season is just around the corner. There's a lot to look forward to. Dan Rudder, alongside Gareth, Yosh, and Neil Francis. Gaz, it's great to be back. I know we've been in and out a little bit over the summer, but it's good to be back in in regular action.

SPEAKER_04 0:34

It certainly is. And this is where uh I say goodbye to my family, and I see you two more than I see them for the next few months. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Apologies to them.

SPEAKER_02 0:44

Franny, excited about the new season?

SPEAKER_03 0:45

Yeah, definitely. I mean, it's it's always the same, isn't it? It seems like there's a massive break, but it goes so, so quickly. And here we are. Hockey is right around the corner, and I'm itching to get going.

SPEAKER_02 0:56

Yeah, I think everybody is. And uh, you know, as we look ahead, we've got preseason to come. The Devils have seven preseason games throughout August and into early September, and then the season gets going on September the 12th. Of course, we know it's Odents back to back this weekend, On Jur the following weekend, and then Sheffield and Nottingham in head-to-head back-to-back games as well to end the preseason. This is the Devils' 40th anniversary year as well. So we'll be bringing you some very special content over the next couple of months. There's a lot of people we're gonna be talking to and some exciting stuff ahead. So there's a lot to look forward to. But as we look at the season ahead in its entirety, and there's a hell of a lot to get through, so we're gonna get going. But the Devils, like we say, back in action. They've been on training camp this week, they're looking good. Franny, the you you've had a little word with Paul Thompson. He's happy with what he's seen so far.

SPEAKER_03 1:41

Yeah, um, I've caught up with Tom O after the very first uh training session, and obviously, we don't want to get too carried away, it's one training session, but yeah, you know, I just wanted to get his initial thoughts and impressions, and I'm sure we'll be hearing from him. Um, but he was excited and I loved, I could just tell by when he answered the phone, you know, there was a little bit of buzz, you know, spring in his step. Um, and he he's delighted by um, I mean, the the new players that have come in, we don't have many this year. Uh, but his comment was they seem like they've been around before, which I think is a great thing. Um, so they've integrated nicely into the group. And then the returning players, and we've got lots of them, he said they're in way better shape than last year. So I think they know what the expectations are of Tomo, of the devils, um, that they need to be in good shape to play the Paul Thompson, the Cardiff Devils way. Um, and they've all sort of met that uh head on and come in in fantastic shape. And uh, you know, even after one training session, he felt like it was a step ahead of where it was last year, which is which is good news.

SPEAKER_02 2:52

Guys, there's always you know, you can never take too much from preseason. It is uh, you know, there's no there's no such thing as a friendly in hockey, but it's not full competitive action. However, you can work off things with like a vibes and you can see what you see by the eye test and how guys integrate and how guys look like they settle. And uh, it's an exciting little period because it allows you to see the team grow into themselves from from basically zero. I say zero, obviously a lot of these guys have been together for a a couple of years now, but from that baseline and build up from there.

SPEAKER_04 3:19

Yeah, it's one of my most exciting times of the year, really, because it's just that sense of anticipation and excitement, and you don't know what it is you quite gotta get. But I I agree with you in terms of seeing with the eye test initially what guys can bring. And I think even though it's a uh a preseason friendly, and even though it's very early on, I do think you always get a sense within the first couple of games exactly what a player's instincts are, I think is the way I put it, and how then trying to see how that might fit in the jigsaw and the bigger pieces of those around him. We haven't got as many uh newbies this year as as Franny rightly points out, but I think that's in a way even more exciting because I want to see how they can make last year's team better in these early exchanges because that's where we need to be if we want to end up where we want to end where we want to be come next April. So I'm really excited to see if the upgrades, I guess like a bit of a Formula One car when you get the upgrades week to week, race to race, and you kind of see you know, are you gonna get those few you know hundredths of a second boost uh over your rivals? And I think that's all we needed, and I'm uh excited to see if that's what we're gonna get.

SPEAKER_02 4:32

Not many options for your your circling of your one to watch for the season this year, really. We only have four new guys.

SPEAKER_04 4:37

I will still do it, and I will do it with you watching when we're on cons on Saturday, so that when we get to the end of the season and I reveal it, you'll know I'm not lying.

SPEAKER_02 4:45

Yeah, yeah, okay. Yeah, we'll we'll take a photo even as well. Let everybody know what it's gonna be. Franny, the the team, as we talked at length about over the summer, is obviously very similar to last year, but there will be an evolution and there will be maybe changes to how they approach games because as we've said, teams around the league have improved as well, people are getting better, the devils are gonna have to go with them even though they haven't made that many new additions. In terms of the the the breakdown of this squad, what does Paul Thompson want from them this season, maybe differently to last year as an entirety?

SPEAKER_03 5:14

Yeah, I I think the the biggest gap that that we wanted to address was we had those games and we've had them for the last few years, to be fair, where teams who have big decors have managed to keep us to the outside, very perimeter. Um, the attacks kind of one and done, where you get a shot away, you don't retrieve it, and it's back out the zone, you've got to work really hard to get back in. Um, and I think there's a couple of heavier bodies in there that hopefully will help us get inside to those scoring areas a little bit better than we did last year. I mean, we did see it in the back end of the season when we were just phenomenal, and Tomo and I were talking about that, and it's actually scary to think how good we were during that period. Um, but you know, you've got to do it sustainably for 54 league games. And uh I think you know, guys like Karan and Panu will they're strong, they're they're strong on their skates, they're bigger bodies, they're thick bodies, and they really kind of uh thrive on dragging pucks to the net. And you know, I think we did need to add a bit more of that to to our roster. Um and I, you know, hopefully we've done it and and and time will tell.

SPEAKER_02 6:31

As we look at the the preseason campaign, like I say, the devils have seven games across across about a month or so, and then there's a lot to look forward to. It's gonna be great to see a variety of teams in and out as well. I always like seeing European teams come in as well. The Devils have always kind of recently opted for a longer preseason. You know, some teams might only go for four or five games, Devils could have gone seven, maybe sometimes even eight. And uh, what are the benefits of that? Obviously, it it it's it's not risky, but it's one of those things where you don't want to play too much, you don't want to overplay your hand, but also it allows you to get into the groove of the games.

SPEAKER_03 6:59

Yeah, and I think it's you know, no matter how good shape you come into the season, and you know, our guys sound like they've done a lot of hard yards over the summer. Um, no matter what you do in the preseason camps, there's nothing, there's nothing like games to get you ready for the league and the and the cup games to start. And uh, you know, the theory behind having those games is to try and iron out kinks um in preseason rather than have to kind of go through a bit of pain in uh in the regular season. And um, yeah, I think the variety that we've got of the pre-season is nice as well. Like you say, it's exciting seeing European teams. Um, you know, there's a kind of backstory, isn't there, with uh Odens uh that it's Tombo's old team. So no no doubt there's still lots of players that had Tomo as a coach that will be eager to impress him and you know, may maybe uh put themselves in the shop window for the future, who knows? But or or maybe you know call out, well, you should have brought me, you should have brought me with you. But you know, that there's that, and the Danish league is a very quick skating league. It's probably not got as much finesse, it probably hasn't got as much poise, but it's relentless. I mean, I've watched quite a lot of the games, and it's every one of them skates really well. They all kind of finish their hits, they're all very uh I don't want to say robotic, but um relentless, maybe. Uh and and that I think is exciting because I think when teams play like that against the devils, that brings out what I think is the best side of the devils. So, and we've seen it with pre-seas um preseason games against European opposition before, that teams go out and they start finishing the hit of the against the devils, and you know, devils are like, Well, this is our building, we're not gonna just sit back here and it, you know, there have been a few flash points, and obviously it is pre-season, and you know, they are our guests, but somehow it never works out that way. And we we have seen a few flash points over the years, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 9:00

Against uh Danish opposition uh previously as well, hasn't gone particularly uh kindly. Uh, I think it will be a bit more friendly uh this time, I don't think, with uh anyone who's gonna consider maybe throwing some headbutts.

SPEAKER_03 9:13

Yeah, hopefully we're gonna hopefully we can stay away from that. But you know, I am expecting it to be quite uh you know a fit fast and physical matchup um because Odens will be looking to gear up for their season in the same way we are. I mean, they're probably a couple of weeks ahead of us, uh they tend to start a little bit earlier in Europe, um, and they'll be using it as a big test. You know, they they know this is a very good league, a good standard, so they'll be wanting to see what they've got in their locker room. So there's that, and then you've got Angers um coming into the to the building, and we've been over there, and I think they've been here maybe in Continental, yeah. I think they have, yeah. I believe so if they had Devin Cowley in net, yeah. Um yeah, he put on a masterclass um when he was here, but um they are you know one of the big four in France, they've always got a good uh good roster, they're always there or thereabouts in their league, and um you know they will be at a tough test. And I think they got a familiar face this year, haven't they, as well?

SPEAKER_02 10:12

There's a fair few familiar faces coming through the building. We'll all touch on Angier in a moment. We'll start with Odens, because that's this weekend, and uh and I'm glad you mentioned being up to speed, Franny, because the devils are gonna have to be. Didrich Hembrandt, former Nottingham Panther, is coming into this building and he loves it here, guys. Scores every time, and he he is one of the quickest players I've ever seen.

SPEAKER_04 10:28

I really thought we'd seen the back of him when uh he he signed uh over in uh Odense, but uh yeah, quality quality guy, and he he is he likes goal in Vindico as well. He's uh been the scourge of the devils over a number of seasons, like you say, pace the boon, just such a a quality skater, and uh no no shortage of of stick handling skills on him as well. So uh, you know, if that's the level at which uh a dense play, that that shows you what a good test they'll be.

SPEAKER_02 11:02

Yeah, it's gonna be great to see, of course, as well. They're coached by Mike Flanagan, who was very briefly in Manchester, so he's another man who's fairly familiar to the league, at least the elite league, the kind of style that we're gonna be seeing from from the devils.

SPEAKER_03 11:12

And Paul Thompson's ex-assistant coach when he was in the DL. So uh there's obviously a you know a connection there as well. Um and the you know, the other one I'd call out as well is um we saw this goalie for was it Helev, the Danish side we plays, um, Emil Zetterkist. And he put an absolute clinic, didn't he, last time? And you know, he was in Halev last year as well and did really well, but Odens have picked him up this year. Um, and you know, I was really, really impressed with him when he was here last.

SPEAKER_02 11:42

Yeah, so plenty to look forward to with Odents. And uh and I think it's gonna be one of those tests for the Devils where it's a little bit of an unknown, it brings that kind of that that shot quality, I guess, to it as well. And and and we'll get them going very, very quickly. The last thing we'll speak about is the fact, of course, that it is a home and home or a double home weekend as well. So, guys, the little as we say, the the the hits that get in on the Saturday, they'll be remembered on the Sunday as well.

SPEAKER_04 12:05

Yeah, they will. Um, it's uh you know, sometimes with the language barrier, the only option you have to try and convey your message might be a little clip around the ear. You know, you you don't know sometimes. That's that's the beauty of it. But uh, you know, when you you've got two teams that are uh so well respected in their their own leagues and you know uh probably you know similar in stature in terms of reputation and things that are only it's a pride thing, isn't it? No matter no matter whether they there's no points or competition places to play for, that pride will always shine through. And uh for the Devils as well, this is a chance for you know all of the new guys to to show their personalities out there as well. And you know, you for the first time in a long time, I think there's a lot of roster spots to, I guess, to fight for. Looking at that first uh your competitive game as well. So there can't be any reason to take the foot off the gas, really, over this home and home weekend.

SPEAKER_02 12:58

Let's touch quickly on J as well, who are in next weekend. And uh, as Franny alluded to, uh, the familiar face comes in in Rick Duke, a man who played in Cardiff a couple of seasons ago, was really well liked. And uh a guy I think across the board, we were a little bit gutted to lose when he did move on. And it's good to see he's found a spot back over in Europe. I think he really enjoyed it, and uh it he's a dangerous player, guys.

SPEAKER_04 13:17

He really is, and I'd have loved to have seen him in a Paul Thompson team. I I think he has all the attributes to be to excel in that in that kind of system, just the way he competes, just the way he finishes his hits, he can score goals. Uh I really liked uh I really liked Duke, and I was really disappointed when uh we weren't able to retain him. So excited to see him back. Um, but like I say, he's uh I think he really would have uh lit up this out of Paul Thompson roster.

SPEAKER_03 13:44

Yeah, guys, and your spot on there, and you know, when um Paul Thompson came in and we were looking at the existing squad and what changes, you know, Reed Duke was a guy that he wanted back. Uh, you know, he could see that from the games that he was watching here that he would uh fit in with how he wants to play for all the reasons that you've given. Um, but it was I think he needed to play a year in the US for um for personal reasons. So uh despite it wasn't through lack of try-in or that we didn't want him back, uh, it was that uh you know he couldn't come back. So yeah, it would have been interesting to see him. But uh, you know, it'd be good to catch up with him, you know, really good guy, you know, Continental Cup winner in in Cardiff. And uh yeah, we'll get to to see him again and give him a good send-off um in a couple of weeks.

SPEAKER_02 14:33

Yeah, lots to look forward to. A dense dub and of course on J coming in next weekend. Just before we move on from training camp and into the further preseason, I took the chance to catch up with Tom Carran about his first couple of days in Cardiff. Tom, welcome to Cardiff. A couple of days here. How are you finding it so far?

SPEAKER_01 14:49

Thank you, thank you. Uh no, it's been pretty good so far. Uh everybody's been pretty uh welcoming, and uh, we finally get figured out the apartment, and it's good to just get back to work, yeah. You've uh been through some tough training camps over the years, I'm sure, playing in Finland and stuff.

SPEAKER_02 15:03

How does this one compare?

SPEAKER_01 15:04

Well, the first two days were actually uh pretty good. I thought uh October pretty sharp, to be honest. Um the pace is good, everybody uh looks pretty in shape and everything, so we're just gonna uh keep going.

SPEAKER_02 15:16

What do you make, Icarus, so far? It's uh it's been a couple of days you managed to get out and about.

SPEAKER_01 15:20

Yeah, uh we didn't really experience that much. Um we went uh we went a little bit uh merman key and stuff, so um, I'm sure I'm gonna have uh the opportunity to experience a little bit more, but so far it's been pretty good. Yeah. How good is it to have your buddy Jimmy back as well? Yeah, so nice. So nice. I'm not gonna lie. Uh just to see him. And uh I went over to his house to see Marie and the kids. So uh it was pretty nice to just uh to just uh see them.

SPEAKER_02 15:48

Big thanks to Tom Carron. It's great to hear from one of the new guys. We're gonna move on. We're gonna chat a little bit about the expectations ahead of this season, ahead of not just a league campaign, but also a challenge cup one the devils are gonna want to move into, and that's kind of where it's gonna start. We we know that the devils will play Sheffield and Nottingham to end their preseason. There's a lot to look forward to there. But uh as as we look at the season in its entirety, we'll start with the league. I think that's probably the best place to begin, and then we'll we'll chat about the Challenge Cup after, despite the fact the Devils start this season with Challenge Cup games. But uh, how do we tackle a 54-game season? It's a big question, and it's one that the Devils haven't last couple of seasons got perfect, they've been inconsistent at times, they've struggled, they haven't quite done enough to get it over the line. But uh, we're gonna look at now what they need to do to change that and what they're gonna the difference is gonna be between last couple of seasons and this one. So, Franny, we've got this this league campaign, and it's it's the the topic on everyone's lips at the moment is the devils are desperate for that league title. That is the big goal going into this season. And so, where do they change? What do they do, and and how do how do we look at uh approaching this season?

SPEAKER_03 16:49

Yeah, and you say the devils are desperate for the for the league title, which is right, and what I loved in the interviews that you did in the summer with returning guys um was that they all referenced it as well, so they all acknowledge it, they all know, they all know how close we were, and I think deep down they all feel that we should have been league champions, and they are annoyed at themselves for letting it slip during that lean spell that we had that effectively you know cost us the league title because before and after that I think we were the the best team. And um, you know, the one word you've got to give to Belfast is consistency. They don't look anything too special at the start of the season, but they pick up their points and they just keep it going, keep it going, and then when teams do drop off, they've just got their points in the bag and they just keep on marching on and um have been worthy league winners for the for the last uh couple of years. And um I think in terms of how do we address that, uh, we spoke about it in the summer series. Uh, one of the aims of the recruitment was to get a bit more younger legs, especially in the forwards. Um so you know, and that's no disrespect to anyone that's not here or whatever, it was just a a kind of direction that we felt we needed to go because it is heavy going. A 54 league season, um, back-to-back games, no Olympic breaks, all that kind of stuff. Um, when the league title is the big one, is tough, tough going. And you know, we are trying to um better equip ourselves for that with having a few younger legs, you know. Think about guys like Tom Caron, you know, Jake Sacratini, Bailey Harewood, um, and even uh, you know, Panomihu uh as a 30-year-old that's played in a very fast league in Finland, um, who do actually go back-to-back games as well. So he'll be used to that kind of relentlessness um of the games coming thick and fast. So that's a way that that we hope to to address it. And the other thing, and you know, I mentioned consistency. Um we've got quite a consistent lineup with last year, very few changes for new guys. Um and I think we're hoping that that familiarity within the roster, uh, it's the coach's second year as well. So his systems are uh pretty much embedded. Obviously, there'll be tweaks because you've always got to keep on evolving. Um, but it's hoped to have that familiarity, that consistency uh throughout the roster that will I mean we want to get off to a to a good start, and uh that we are hoping equips us to do that.

SPEAKER_02 19:37

We are of course a few days into training camp now, so I caught up with Tomo after those few days to see how things were going so far. Tomo, a few days into training camp now. How do you feel it's going?

SPEAKER_00 19:48

Well, well, and uh really happy so far, Dan. I mean the returning boys, 18 of them, which is uh it's pretty unique in their in the professional environment these days. So to have 18 guys coming back that kind of got an idea of how we want to play and stuff, and they've come back in tremendous shape and they've had great summers. They really have, and uh probably needed it after that two week that two weeks of batting all over the cup, and uh but they've worked hard, they've come back in, and uh and the and the four new guys have come in in great shape and uh they've uh they've slotted in really well.

SPEAKER_02 20:21

What do you want to get from these training camps in terms of you know, guys always think about bag skating and then the difficulties over those first few days, but in terms of what you want to get from it, what what is that?

SPEAKER_00 20:29

Well you have to accompass everything. I mean, you know, it it is hard and they are long. You know, we have two ice sessions and the guys are on the ice are pretty much two hours a day, and then you know, then they're in the gym for 45-50 minutes with Morgan, our strength coach, and then we know we have all this kind of stuff to do. So training camps are it's a long period physically and mentally. So but we want to get their timing and uh their fitness and their uh and systematically we're you know, we're dri we're dribbling stuff in now. We we play on the weekend, so obviously with having so many returning, the process of that has been a little bit quicker than what it was this time last year because you know they know what I want and uh and they're ready for it, and then you know, bringing the new guys on board. So you have to accomplish accomplish everything within within training camp. You know, fitness, recovery, but you you know, you don't want any injuries at this point as well, but you want to push them and uh you know we want to be at our optimum in four weeks' time.

SPEAKER_02 21:24

But uh continuity is a big thing coming into this as well. Like you say, a lot of returnees and and does that mean that it it it means that you can uh do things a little bit differently to actually not having to introduce as many ideas, it can be an evolution of those.

SPEAKER_00 21:35

Yeah, yeah. I mean we're tinkering with a few things. We've looked at areas where we think we we we can improve on them and the areas where I thought we were the best at, we don't want to change what what isn't broken, you know. So uh and again it's just repetition, repetition going back through it, bringing the new boys in on board on that. And you know, we're video in practice at the moment, so when we do our five on five sessions in the second session, you know, we're using that as a game scenario. Rather than wait for the games to cut the video and show the players. We we can do it in from a practice point of view so we can get ahead of ourselves there. So it's uh it's it's a long process, it's a long four weeks, it's a demanding four weeks, but you know, they're having fun, and we're having fun with them.

SPEAKER_02 22:15

Guys, it's always good to hit the ground running with with pre-season and into the season, as we've spoken about, and and the momentum is a big word. You know, we've talked about consistency and how they need to use the momentum they built at the end of last season into this one. And I think you know, they ended it in the right way, the Devils, which was we don't care we've we do care, of course, we've missed the league top, but that now that we have missed out on it, the next goal is to go and get the playoffs and finish the season on a high, and carrying that momentum is really important when you do retain such a big group.

SPEAKER_04 22:42

Yes, it is, and I I think Franny made a great point there about it being Tomo's second season, because I think during the dips in last year, reading between the lines of some of Tomo's interviews, it was almost like he was saying, if the guys just listen to what I'm saying, we'll get to where we need to be. And he said it a couple of times during those dips, and then finally it seemed to all click, and I think they all started buying into what he was saying, and then we saw the results and and the fruits of that labour uh come the end of the year. If we start that way, where everyone is on board, everyone knows, everyone's kind of oh yeah, the coach is is right, he does know what he's doing. Um, I think that is the biggest thing for me because now there doesn't need to be, you know, and any sort of conflict with that, there doesn't need to be any kind of you know worry about that. It is very much everyone settled into thinking about what can we achieve, not is this the right way to achieve it or what why is going wrong? It is what do we want to do at the end of the season? And like we said, everyone during the interviews this summer have been talking about it, and you need that kind of mentality going into it. You can't think maybe we can make a run at this. You can't think about anyone else around us really and what they're doing, because that doesn't matter. You can only control what you can control. Um, but it's that mentality and that sort of almost manifestation of the end of the year that I'm excited about.

SPEAKER_02 24:13

Yeah, and it's it's an interesting point you make because you did they manifest that lead out and they want that league title, and it's almost sets an expectation amongst fan base to say, all right, well, you've talked about it, now you've got to go and do it.

SPEAKER_04 24:24

Exactly. But we kind of did that with the playoffs last year, right? There was a point in which everyone said, right, we have to put the league behind us. What do we want to do? Well, we want to finish this year with a trophy. Here's the playoffs. How do we do that? We're gonna build, we're gonna play these last 10 games like we're gonna for the league title and just that momentum. And and by the final four weekend, I believed it. I could hear the fans believe it, and they and the guys believed it, and look what happened. So, you know, when you are all on that same page and you all are dialed in to that from people in the stands right through to the guys on the ice, good things can happen.

SPEAKER_02 25:01

Franny, with the way the team has been constructed and and the way the devils, the style the devils ended last year, is there an expectation maybe that other teams will have recruited a get to sort of try and combat that? And we've seen some of the names that are coming into the league. There's some great players who are gonna be arriving this year. You you you put you think of the the Belfast and the Sheffields, but also for every team. That there's almost at least one guy with every team who you you're gonna keep your eye on this season. And and so with the Devils keeping so many, is that almost uh underrated for them? And then something that maybe they're they're kind of hoping that teams will expect less of a growth, a bit of growth from them.

SPEAKER_03 25:37

Uh, I definitely can see some patterns in recruitment around the league that you know look a bit familiar and you know you can take it as a compliment. I you know, I know that uh the devils were probably the team that other teams least wanted to face, which is weird because we didn't end up winning the league, but you know, there there was always that um bit of dread when you come in to face the devils, and I like that, you know, and I think that's a characteristic that goes back to the you know big blue tent days where teams didn't want to come in there, Wells National Ice Rink days, devils. I mean, to me, that's the devil's identity, is you don't want to play against them, simple as that. Um, so yeah, I do think that um teams have tried to add a little bit of their own makeup like that. Um, I mean, I I think looking across the the teams and their recruiters, there's a lot of talented, talented players coming in. Uh a lot of speed that I've noticed, you know, um Belfast in particular. They haven't gone out with the huge resumes, um, but when you look into individually into the guys that they've recruited, they're all really, really good skaters, hard workers. And I think that's you know, it's almost like players that uh you know, a roster that Keith knows he can mold to bring the the next generation Belfast Giants through because he has lent on his core, hasn't he? You know, we've seen that in the last few years when they haven't quite got it right in the recruitment and they go back to the well and bring those guys back in mid-season, and all of a sudden it turns a corner and you know they run away with it. Um, but yeah, I can see he's identified a certain type of player that he feels that he can mould into to that new core. So it'll be interesting to see how that comes along. Um, and then you know, in the other rosters, um, there's a lot of you know big, experienced, big name players, and uh, you know, I think it's really exciting. I think goaltending throughout the league is just remarkable. Um, and yeah, I mean it's we you know, we're talking about the league, the league, the league for us, and we're manifesting it, but you know, other teams will be doing that as well, and you know, everybody wants to win it, and everybody is recruiting teams that they think that they can win it. Um, but like you said, it's knowing what strengths that we had last year, you know, building on that a bit, the familiarity of the group, the familiarity of Paul Thompson, Nicholas on D, you know, with the D Corps as well. Um, you know, you know, it's another year under his belt with the uh with the same D Corps pretty much, uh, with the addition of Nick Welsh. And yeah, I mean it's it's a really mouthwatering prospect, isn't it?

SPEAKER_02 28:26

I I couldn't agree more. The the the other the other thing I want to touch on in terms of the league in in particular is the Devils throughout October have eight home games. And I think the majority of them, six maybe of the eight, are league games, and there's a couple of cup games in there as well. And whereas in previous years we've seen the devils almost backload their schedule and put lots and lots of home games at the end to almost try and end with that momentum and and see themselves through. I think it's maybe interesting, and and and obviously you can't pick and choose too much on the fixtures you have. We know that the elite league needs to accommodate for 10 teams, and the devils can't just lay claim to those things all the time. But when it comes to having the schedule and schedule that you can use to your advantage, having those eight games in October and having that that front-loaded schedule, it gives you the opportunity to try and put points on the board early, guarantee yourself something because you know there is an advantage to playing at home, and there's an advantage to playing in this building with these fans. And if you can use that, that's going to be a big asset for them, guys.

SPEAKER_04 29:21

It certainly will. If if uh you know, if it comes off and you know we are you know strong at home like we were towards the end of last year, then uh it might be uh uh a bit of a master stroke there. That will be tied in as well with the 40th year celebrations as well, which is you know such an exciting time and such a you know sort of joyous occasion. I'm sure there'll be you know lots of buzz uh around there. And I I'm kind of hoping that that sort of celebration of where we've been um can kind of take us to where we want to go. And uh that I like that he's sort of dovetailed at that same time because yeah, it it is it is something that if you can get through that home stretch and get the points that you want to get out of it. Um we know Tom likes to play the season in chunks. Well, that's the majority of that chunk at home that he's gonna play uh there. So if you get out the other side of that, then you know you'd like to hope and think that there'll be a lot of momentum going into what is another busy period at Christmas.

SPEAKER_02 30:22

Exactly, yeah. And and and we'll then kind of move on and chat about the the Challenge Cup now because where is obviously the league will get going late September, early October. The the first few games are all Challenge Cup games. And probably the biggest disappointment last year, Franny, was the fact the Devils went out in the group stage of the Challenge Cup. And it was one of those things that you know they were ruling that for a little while and then licking their wounds a little bit for a little while. And for them, they're gonna want to put that wrong right as quickly as they can this season.

SPEAKER_03 30:46

Yeah, definitely, because we started off really well, didn't we, in the Challenge Cup, and we you know we were top of the group, and it was I I don't I won't won't ever say there was any complacency because it just doesn't happen like that. You take each match, whether it's league or cup, and do you know what early on in the season, a lot of times you don't even remember whether it's league or cup, you're just going out there to win a game, whether it's two points or whether it's you know uh a two points for the challenge cup group qualification. Um, and then for whatever reason it just fell apart spectacularly in the challenge cup, and you know, at one stage it would seem harder for us not to qualify, and then you know, there was a loss, and then you start like looking at it, and you know, we looked like we were in trouble and then didn't get the the last result and um didn't qualify, which is not where we want to be as a club. I mean, we love that challenge cup. I mean, sometimes it's talked down, but you know, I've got such great memories of the challenge cup as as you all will, and you know, it's something that we want to win them. I don't think we've won it you know anywhere near enough recently, especially. So that's another one that we want to get back, and uh it's yeah, it's so it is so weird at the start of the season with the games mixed in, especially if you are new to the league, you don't really kind of understand it. But you know, you you do have to play each game as it comes and you know look to get the wins. Um, but yeah, in that um that October that you're saying with with these eight home games, I mean, I don't know how much of that is by pure design. I mean, I think it's probably more to do with the fact that we've got a lot more flexibility with our arena than some of the other teams have. So we've taken more home games than you normally would do, probably to accommodate other teams' uh arena schedules. Um but it could work out nicely for us if you get it on a good stretch, a good momentum. Um, but that's an if, isn't it? Because there's nothing worse than if you lose a home game and the disappointment and the pressure about you know winning at home, and then you've got another one, another one, and another one. It's uh, you know, it can become a pressure cooker. But hopefully we can get off to a really good start in that stretch. Uh, hopefully we can get this build-in buzzing like we know it can be, and hopefully, you know, it can be, you know, that really solid foundation for the rest of the league.

SPEAKER_02 33:10

Yeah, the the two competitions in the Challenge Cup and the League tie in quite nicely together because while you, you know, there are nights where you're not sure which one you're playing and and and how they all tie in together, actually, because especially these days, the Challenge Cup group stages are done a lot earlier than they were in previous years, it means that when you head into league action, you can kind of take the momentum that you've built through or lack of in in some cases of the group stages into then your league. Because the last thing you want to do in a league title is is fall too far behind too quickly. So if you can if you can chip away at that challenge cup group, get yourself through that without too much drama and then head into the league, it leaves you in a lovely position.

SPEAKER_04 33:45

It certainly does. And I think if you look at the games in our challenge cup group last year, I think a lot of the themes that we started there did pay off throughout the year. You think that that you know horrible record we had away in Nottingham, yet in that challenge cup group, we got that out of the way quite quick. And then through the year, those games didn't seem as frightening or as big. And I think that first couple of games against Guildford, we really asserted ourselves in that. And they did come back in us during that league uh campaign with that. But I still felt towards the end of the year that was still sort of resonating with them that that we went that way. Conversely, Sheffield got the better of us in that challenge group. We never really got them in the league that way. So it does carry a lot of weight, I think, because once you do start to get patterns against teams, that they they can develop quite quickly. So the more good work you can put into this challenge cap group, uh, the more I think you've got in your locker going through the league campaign.

SPEAKER_02 34:46

We're going to talk about the league more in its broader capacity now, and um, we will have a little bit of a breakdown on each team around the league, depending on if they're in the challenge cup group or if they're a league opponent. So we will get to that a little bit later on in the season as we as we get to it. But just to chat about the league overall so far, and what has been a really fascinating summer, I think, for not just the Devils, but for every team in the league and what we come into. And you look at the the major kind of bits of news throughout the year, and I think probably the one that kicked off the summer was the fact that Manchester are moving to the AO arena, and I think that's fantastic. I think it's great to see that Manchester, the work they've done over the last few years, has been rewarded, and they're now getting that chance in that fantastic arena. They're going to be selling huge amounts of tickets. You know, we already know that they're opening the top bowl for a preseason game against Sheffield, which is great to see. And uh, I can't wait to get up there, guys, for a game because you know, it's another one to tick off and it's another place, another new arena for us.

SPEAKER_04 35:38

It is fantastic. I mean, I will start with with uh, you know, I'm sad that the era of the big blue tent is officially over now, isn't it? There's no rink like that left. Manchester no longer uh known as the team that you know you really don't want to go to because they're so different. Um, but I'm glad for that because I'm glad for them because this is a a huge platform for them to try and build on. And I think if you I don't get the sense from their roster that they've kind of got excited and thought, oh, this is gonna be amazing, like and checked everything in the kitchen sink at it. I and the way that they've set out their ticket in with season tickets and such, I think it's a really measured plan that they seem to have to try and grow and not just immediately try and you know get as much as they can out of it straight away. And I I think that you've got to give Ryan Fernity a lot of credit about how he's sort of managed this situation. They got it done early, everyone knew where they were. There wasn't like a summer of uncertainty with a will they won't they? It was very much this is our new home, this is what we're gonna do. So delighted for them. Um, and if it works this year, and then they do build, and we all hope that they get that top tier open as much as possible uh across the year, then then next summer. I think you're talking about a potentially different Manchester Zone roster who are gonna go from that sort of I'd say you always consider them probably the best outside of the top four competing. They've always flirted with that sort of top three every now and then, but I think they kind of have a chance to put themselves in those sort of uh echelons at the at the top there regularly if this season goes as well as I hope it does for them.

SPEAKER_02 37:19

Franny, it's it's a sign as well, I think the health of the league is in a good spot, and and having another arena team is only going to be beneficial to everybody, you know. Obviously, we as Devils fans, we want the Devils to be the biggest and the best team in the league, but having another team that will push them in that way is going to be great as well.

SPEAKER_03 37:35

Yeah, and you're right. Manchester are an arena team, and they can't hide from that. They you know they they can't hide that they are now an underdog and you know, punching a bunch above their weight and all that. They're an arena team. So, yes, that you know, they've taken, I think, quite a sensible approach because moving into arena doesn't make you a better hockey team overnight, and now they have to um live with those expectations. They've also uh, I mean, for years and years, I mean, I think we were discredited by everybody talking about the Big Blue Tent as our unfair advantage because our home record was so good. I mean, we worked really hard on that home record. Um, but you know, Manchester now don't have that, do they? They don't have teams are coming into an unfamiliar-sized ice uh surface where the game happens so quickly, it's like a ping pong game out there. Um, they don't have that now. Now they're on a legitimate ice pad in a very, very legitimate arena. So um, yeah, I mean you mentioned league strength. I mean, that yeah, it just does show the fact that they can move from you know that small um structure in Altringham into the big arena and take that plunge just shows the confidence around the league that uh you know they're ready for that next step. And I think they're more than ready for it. And Manchester's obviously a very big city, it can accommodate it, it has done before. Uh you know, it's an exciting time for the Manchester storm, but also for the elite league as well.

SPEAKER_04 39:06

And in a funny sort of way, they've kind of gone back into the centre of Manchester at a time where Manchester's kind of having the spotlight of the country put on it, like more generally, right? So, you know, you're always going to have football dominating that city, but it feels like a city you want to be a part of at the moment and you want to be in the sort of centre of because it seems to be the place to be at the moment outside of Cardiff.

SPEAKER_02 39:33

Yeah, I mean, uh other news around the league, of course. Uh we looked at the two teams that missed the playoffs last year in Fife and Dundee. Both teams have new coaches. Dundee have had a rebrand, a little bit of new ownership in there as well. And uh, and and when we talk about the strength of the league, it's the guys who finish at the bottom, they're actively looking to improve and get better as well. That's really good to see because what we want above anything else is parity in the league. Seeing Fife beat Belfast, seeing Dundee beat the Devils and stuff, that's great for the league as a spectacle as well. You don't always want guys million miles off the playoffs. So having teams who are competing every year is great to see. And and you know, from what we've seen from their recruitment, all right, they may not have the strength of a Belfast or a Sheffield or a Cardiff, but they're going to be competitive, these two teams, and that's really great to see as well, guys.

SPEAKER_03 40:13

Yeah, I I like the approaches that they've taken as well. They've um they've had to think a bit outside the box on the recruitment. And, you know, I've said for years that it's not the big resumes that end up being the top players in this league, and you can get some gems that don't have the resumes, but they've got the right attributes to fit in the UK style of hockey and in the you know 54 late uh game league season. And I think both sides have got younger legs in there, which I talked about in our roster. Um you know, guys that will be hungry to succeed. Maybe they are looking right now at those teams as a springboard onto a bigger team, but who knows? Maybe those two teams can surprise and you know become legitimate teams of their own uh accord. So um, yeah, exciting. I mean, we know the five coach from before, um, Tim Wallace uh from his time in in Nottingham and then Milton Keynes. Um, so he knows what the league is about, so he knows kind of what he's recruiting for, and then it's nice to have a fresh face in the league. Um Scott Dutetre, I think is how you say it. Um, he's uh the Dundee coach, he's you know experienced, a lot of connections in North America, so no doubt that the guys that he's brought across, he's been able to get a good read of what they're gonna bring to the pile. So um, yeah, uh it's it'll be good to see um because both those teams did have poor, poor years. And if it wasn't for Fife's exceedingly bad start, I think Dundee would have been maybe the poorest team that we've seen in the elite league. And you know, I I think both teams needed to gut it out and uh and start fresh, and they seem to have done it.

SPEAKER_04 41:52

Yeah, I I always look uh when teams are recruiting to see what what the plan is, and and I think sometimes in the past few years, five particularly, I've never got a sense of what that team building plan was. It felt like you know, just kind of cherry-picking guys for a roster spot, but not really thinking too much about what's gonna go on. This summer I feel like Tim Wallace is using his time from Milton Keynes to look at that sort of foundation of British players and making sure there's a bit more depth in that flyers' roster. And that you know, they don't need the big resumes of guys they were signing last year, you know, your booths and such and and Lucich. You you don't need that in in Fife because even when that didn't work and they were down to the bare bones, Fife has a sort of intrinsic battling quality to their teams, and they were still picking up points towards that end of the year despite looking like they should be down and out. All you need in that building is people to buy in, much like we're saying about the devils and buying into the lead title uh sort of issue. You need people in Fife who buy into that community, to that rink, to that fan base, and just put your working skates on each and every week. And if you do that as a full roster, people aren't gonna like playing in Fife. It's a horrible place to play when the crowd are on your back. I mean, you look at us last year, we we got a lead up there in the triple header, and within a couple of shifts, it was a couple of goals, and that place was on top of you, and you start you know crying into your stovies worrying that it's all gonna go wrong. Um so yeah, I think Tim Wallace has the right, I think it's a it's a smart appointment for what they want to do there. Um and for Dundee, I think the number of NCAA guys that they've uh gone out again, it feels to me like they know them, that they know what they can bring to that roster. I think the NCEAA is becoming a a more and more attractive sort of recruitment ground for for a lot of teams. So I at no point do I think. Think that that's a a poor strategy from Dundee either. So uh yeah, intrigued to see how it all pans out. I think they'll finish this year with a lot more points than they both finished with last year.

SPEAKER_02 44:10

Yeah, we hope so. And and and a competitive league is a good one. I'm gonna push you both now for an answer on a question. And it's it's a far too early, haven't yet seen anybody, but any signings, anything that stands out in terms of player recruitment this season. I'm gonna ask you to pick a player for anybody who you're gonna be excited to see this season. It can be anyone across the league, it can be a devil if you really want to pick a devil, but I'm gonna start. And for me, the guy who stands out is Evan Fitzpatrick, the goalie that Coventry have gone after. I think losing Matt Robson is is a big loss for them. They've gone out and got him. He's a guy who's played in the DEL, he's got uh AHL experience as well. That's a guy I'm I'm really intrigued to see how he settles in and how he fits into that Coventry system because they always have relied quite heavily on a really good netminder, so then built out from this. So to go and get him, I think is is a good get, and I think I'm really intrigued to see him. Franny, anyway.

SPEAKER_03 45:01

I was just gonna you know back up what you said. Yeah, Coventry have always built around a really good goalie. You know, you go back to the Jody Lehman's and uh um the other goalie that went on to play for Newcastle. Trevor Koenig? Trevor Koenig, yeah, that's right. And uh then you know Brighton Stewart, let's not forget about him. And in recent years, Matt Robson, you know, played pretty much every game over his two-year spell for them. And obviously, he was poached by by Nottingham when they need uh a new goalie of their own. So it was always going to be a key appointment for them. And you know, Evan Fitzpatrick has got a very impressive resume, and uh, you know, hats off to the Coventry recruitment uh for that.

SPEAKER_02 45:44

I think uh I mean if I was to pick a second one, Peter Bates, who's going to Belfast, is another big name I think that could could really click in this league.

SPEAKER_03 45:52

Yeah, an interesting one. Um you know, he has put up, he's been in Wichita for quite a number of years, and he's put up significant numbers year on year, which you know says he's got the consistency, uh, you know, he's a quick skater, um, you know, and it goes back to those things that I think Adam Keefe is looking to mould. And I think Adam Keefe will be you know hoping that Peter Bates turns out to be one of his new stars. Um, I mean, a guy that I I'm intrigued by, um, Tim Gettinger in Sheffield. Um I I did see the name a couple of years ago that was on uh a list that probably shouldn't have been sent to me at that time because every time we asked about one of the players, we were told no chance. I mean, two years ago he was on quite a significant NHL two-way contract. Um, and then you know, he went to the DEL. Did pretty well, and it's quite a surprise at what 28 years old that he's now made the step over here. Um you know, he's got NHL games, AHL games. Uh, you know, he's a very, very big body. I think six foot six can play centre or wing. Um it will be interesting to see what he does with the expectations of being a go-to guy on the roster because in the NHL, in the American League, and I'm sure in the DEL, he would be more of a support cast. Now, when you are that kind of profile of player, no doubt with that kind of salary expectations, you get propelled into a player that needs to produce. So uh I'll be very interested to see how you know he does in terms of stepping up into what I assume is a top six role.

SPEAKER_02 47:37

Guys, anyone for you?

SPEAKER_04 47:38

Yeah, um one I remember when he he signed, I I immediately had a good feeling about him. I I think uh age, sort of height profile, sort of the w way that the defence from work in this league. Um Nottingham have uh signed a guy, Aidan Hansen Bucata. And I just look at like I say, all that profile, I think size, mobile, clearly knows how to pick a pass. I just think when you've got that kind of all-round sort of Crawford type kind of vibes about him, but a bit bigger, maybe I get the sense that he is. I just think uh, you know, he's got AHL experience, and again, that NCAA, good good track record there. Um, and in the ECHL putting up big points as a defenceman, when you look at all of the great defencemen in the elite league, they all come with that kind of pedigree for me. So he's one that when they when the Panthers signed him, I thought I think that's a sleeper one. I think by the end of the year, that's gonna be one that people look around and going, that guy's good.

SPEAKER_02 48:42

Plenty of good names, plenty of interesting stories coming into the league. We'll have a like I say, a bit more of a detailed chat on each team and a deep dive on them ahead of when they play the Devils. But uh, yeah, the league's in a in a good spot. We're just gonna chat quickly about the key dates for you guys throughout the season, and you know, as we look uh uh into into a long nine months ahead of us, there's plenty to chat about. But of course, like I've said, the home note is on September the 12th against the Gulf of Flames. The Devils get their season going. That's a return of Cole Sanford and many other former Cardiff Devils as well into the building. Following that, the 40th anniversary weekend, 10th, 11th, 12th of October, this game's against Dundee and Belfast. That's gonna be a fantastic event. There's gonna be lots of stuff going on. We're, like I say, gonna have plenty of podcasts in the build-up to it. We're gonna be hopefully chatting to some former Devils about their time over the past 40 years. The Devils are away on Boxing Day against Coventry, and then at home on New Year's Day to Guildford. They've got their usual New Year's Day um boxing day games against those two teams coming up. And then into the new year, there's lots to look forward to. The Scottish triple header of January 15th, 16th, 17th. I know, Gaz, you're already booked. You're ready to go walking up or something, probably go easy. Uh the Belfast doubleheader, end of February 27th to 28th, and then the Sheffield doubleheader, which is uh one that we haven't seen too many of at the end of March, 20th and 21st. And uh, I think that's something that you look off into the distance and you think, oh, that's gonna be big to end the season, Franny.

SPEAKER_03 50:01

Yeah, it almost takes me back to the Belfast doubleheader that we had uh the year Patrick Astlin was here, and you know, that was the weekend where we won the league effectively because we had, I think, some come from behind wins, uh, some big performances, and that was like the kind of clincher where everybody then had their chest puffed out and you know, try and stop us kind of thing. And you know, it's around that time of the year, isn't it? Where you know you would think that that that's where one team goes off in one direction and another team goes in another. So yeah, a mouthwatch and prospect.

SPEAKER_02 50:38

Guys, it's uh it's an exciting, it's an intriguing, it's it's wonderful to have hockey back, but there's a lot to be excited for.

SPEAKER_04 50:44

There is, I'm just gonna bore people with the 40th year anniversary thing this year because like to be around for that long and that the impact that this club has had on the city, and you know, vice versa, and to be going into the 40th anniversary in such an exciting shape, where you know the the club is excited and looking forward and looking upwards, and how can we improve this, how can we improve that? Uh, what a ride it's been on uh 40 years, and hopefully over the next couple of weeks and months, we can take people on that journey a little bit, and uh people who weren't around for all of it can be uh uh a little bit enlightened and learn about what a wild story this company has uh written over the the past few decades. It's gonna be uh a heck of a celebratory year, hopefully in more ways than one.

SPEAKER_02 51:35

Oh, we hope so. That is all for Devil's Insider this week. We really appreciate you listening in. It's great to have the guys back. Training camp is well underway. Odence on the weekend preseason up and running. If you haven't got your tickets, they are still available for both games. The onj uh game has tickets available as well. So grab them. It's gonna be great. It's gonna be great to be back in Cardiff with hockey underway. And yeah, guys, thank you so much for coming down. It's been great to chat to you again. It's good to be back into the flow of it, into the rhythm of it once again. And uh yeah, we will catch you all very, very soon. 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.