Another Step in the Right Direction

Posted on 21 May 2012

Fans’ Forum: another building block for Devils

The Cardiff Devils Fans’ Forum at Oneill’s Pub on St. Mary’s Street on Sunday May 20^th was well received and helped to update the Devils’ faithful about the off season so far. Max Birbraer spoke of his experience in the office helping behind the scenes this summer, “I have really enjoyed the opportunity to contribute to the club since my injury in whichever way I can. Paul and Brent have been very supportive and helped give me an insight into how the business operates and I have really enjoyed being involved.”

Additionally Birbraer expressed his sincere gratitude to the Cardiff Devils’ Official Healthcare Provider Vale Healthcare for the personal treatment he received towards his neck injury last season. “I will always be in debt to the team at Vale Healthcare for their support and expertise; I wouldn’t be standing here today if it was not for their attention to detail. Although Birbraer has been an asset off the ice to the club he confirmed, “I am really looking forward to resuming my Devils’ career again next season as a player.”

New for the 2012/13 season and returning Cardiff Devil Phil Osaer also spoke of his ambition to return to Cardiff. “I have kept in touch with Brad Voth and the guys since my last season as a Devil in 2007/08 and Brad was confident that he definitely thought the club was headed in the right direction now.” Osaer commented about how he had been back to watch the Devils’ play once over the last few seasons when time allowed due to his commitments to his professional hockey career in Norway, “I watched a game in Cardiff when they played against Hull Stingrays around Christmas 2010. The crowd was immense and the atmosphere was great, it helped inspire me to want to come back to Cardiff again to hopefully win a championship as a Devil and for our fans.”

Devils’ CEO Paul Ragan was in attendance and took the opportunity to thank all the fans for their tremendous support for the 2012/13 season already. Ragan stressed the importance of the club and it’s fans being realistic with their expectations over the next two seasons but promised the Devils’ supporters that the club was headed in the right direction with a new double pad facility on the horizon, “a lot of hard work is currently going on behind the scenes to ensure that our new home is befitting of all the time, investment, money, heartache and waiting that the club has endured. The Devils are in a very good place at the moment but it is no time to be complacent, it is time to pull together and to focus our combined efforts towards to supporting the club in whichever way possible.”

And finally Gerad Adams and Neil Francis spoke of the roster that they have assembled so far for the 2012/13 season, Adams reminded everyone of just how far ahead we were in recruiting this season and wanted to thank former players for their positive recommendations about Cardiff as a club and city, “I would like to thank Jay Latulippe especially for given positive referrals to his former teammates about his time as a Cardiff Devil.” Adams went on to say that “the business of the Devils as a club and the new arena finally a reality gives us a strong position to attract the players we want in Cardiff again. I would like to thank Cardiff University Business School for supporting us with 2 MBA Scholarships for next season, it is vital to our successful recruitment on and off the ice.” The Devils’ Bench Coach Neil Francis admitted that “the off season is probably my busiest time as we prepare and assemble our line-up for the upcoming season. I am thankful to my supportive employers (Lloyd’s TSB) that help me contribute to the building of the Devils’ roster and making certain we don’t leave any stones unturned. We are as thorough as we can be getting references for all our recruits and Gerad and I extremely excited about the signing of Mac Faulkner, we have been seeking his commitment to be a Devil for 3 seasons.”

The conclusion of the evening led to a number of questions to Gerad and Franny about their thoughts on the remaining spots still to fill on the roster. Adams and Francis were comfortable with their responses and reminded all fans their team will play attractive Cardiff Devils’ hockey next season and the characteristics of hard work, physicality and heart would be key ingredients in the South Wales mix again for the 2012/13 season.

To book your Cardiff Devils’ Season Ticket for the 2012/13 season call the Cardiff Devils office on 02920 444050 today to get your Early Bird Discount which ends May 31^st!