Chris Blight joins Devils

Posted on 8 June 2012

The Cardiff Devils are delighted to announce the signing of winger Chris Blight for the 2012-13 season.

The 29 year old Ontario, Canada native joins the Devils from Ritten Renon in Italy where he finished as top scorer, following an excellent season for Reading Royals in the East Coast Hockey League where he scored 25 goals and 56 points in 49 games and was called up to the AHL on four separate occasions.

Blight is a long-term target of the Devils - Gerad Adams and Neil Francis have been working to bring him to Cardiff for 3 years - and he will reunite with his friend and former teammate Mac Faulkner on and off the ice, as he takes up an MBA package with the hugely respected Cardiff Business School.

Described as a powerful, goal-scoring winger, the 6ft 200lbs right-handed shot is expected to be one of the top scorers in the League next season.

'He adds instant offense' says Head coach Adams, 'but more than that he has an all-round game that we need from all of our players. He is good in all areas of the ice. Chris has an excellent attitude and he really wants to win.'

Blight will play a key role on the powerplay for the Devils and the Coaches are thrilled to finally get their man.

Bench Coach Neil Francis says, 'We have been working to bring Chris to Cardiff for several years now and we are delighted he has chosen the Devils for the coming season. He is a complete player and we know he will entertain and excite our Red Army of fans.'

Highly skilled players like Blight attract a great deal of attention and he received offers from across Europe, and elsewhere in the Elite League.

'Once again the City of Cardiff, our former players and our reputation for great fan atmosphere played a part in signing Chris' continues Francis.

'Jay Latulippe is a good friend of Chris's and he spoke to Jay, Mac Faulkner and Jon Pelle before making his decision.'

Blight has led his team in game winning goals on several occassions and in University he won the award for sportsmanship and academic performance. in 2007-8 in Reading he was a team-mate of current Stanley Cup finalist Jonathan Quick. To see video of Chris Blight in action that season, CLICK HERE

Adams says another aspect of Blight's game that specifically attracted them to him was one the Devils are known for:

'He loves to play on small ice pads and his shooting ability means we have another reason for teams to hate to travel to Cardiff next season.'

The Devils welcome Chris Blight to Cardiff for 2012-13.