Goalies and Coaches

Posted on 18 July 2012

The Cardiff ENL Devils are delighted announce the return of last season’s GK team. Starting 'tender Mike Brabon returns for his 4^th season between the pipes. The former Elite League and EPL stopper finished last season with a 91% save percentage and came up big in games against the ‘top four’ securing wins against all 4 of them at the BBT. Promising Luke Takel again commits to another season with the Devils and Veteran Ross Piggott also returns for his 9^th season with the organisation and begins his managerial Career as an assistant Coach/Manager along with Mark Cuddihy and Ben Smith.

Cudd commented: 'I’m thrilled to bring all three guys back for another season with the club. Brabs had a great year for us last season, he enabled us to win games we had no right to win. As the league improves year upon year some big names are playing in net for ENL teams but Brabs remains one of the biggest, we are very lucky to have him here. His experience a big asset to our club. I’m also delighted to bring Ross and Luke back to Cardiff. Luke will play a few more games for us next season, whenever he plays he does a great job,

Brabs has been playing a lot of the last 3 years and Luke is more than capable of taking some pressure off him. Ross has really suffered with injuries over the years and I really felt for him, Ross has been with us for a long time and started to look Sharpe in training towards the end of last season. His body has taken a battering over the last 3 years, suffering a dislocated knee and a collapsed lung after being hit with a shot in practice. Ross has always been someone that I have run things by and I’m delighted he has agreed to help me with the management side of things. Ross will start to take his coaching qualifications this season and I know we will work really well together as a coaching team along with Ben.'

We caught up with all three on their return to the club: Mike Brabon “I'm eager to being the new season and I'm looking forward to the challenges it will bring. Cudd has always done a great job at putting a hard working hard team  together who will always compete and i have no doubt the same will be accomplished this season. I'm excited to be part of it, I've played in cardiff for many years and there's no where else I'd rather be playing next season.”

Luke Takel : I am happy to be signing again for the ENL Devils (NIHL), i am excited about next season, really looking forward to stepping into the net again and helping the team out when I can. I am working hard in the gym in preparation for next season, I can't wait to get myself back on the ice, and preparing for the season in front of us.

Ross Piggott: 'It makes me chuckle being referred to as a 'veteran' at the age of 27 but the battering my body has taken the last few years and having been part of the team since inception I guess qualifies! I'm happy to be back again for the forthcoming season as part of a strong goaltending team that we've signed again. I must be a glutton for punishment, having only managed 1/2 a season for 3 years running now following a bad knee injury and then collapsing a lung last year 1 week before game 1, so on the ice I am just looking to stay fit, regain my technique and some form. When Cudd spoke to me about getting involved in the management side of things I agreed pretty much straight away. I've always had a good relationship with Cudd and hoping I can support him in growing the team. The team is going through a transformational stage in terms of how it is structured and run and I am excited to be a part of that. I have a business degree and run my own ltd company but am also a player, so I'm hoping to bring a good balance to what the players want and to help shape the team into being a self-sufficient entity that is competitive in the league, whilst developing the country's best young talent to hopefully becoming fully fledged professionals with the senior side.'