The Devils leading scorer returns for a third season
Pictured above: Sanford led the Devils in goals in 2022-23 (photo James Assinder)
Cole Sanford, the Devils leading goal-scorer last season, is back in Cardiff for another year.
Sanford absolutely lit up the league last season, scoring an incredible 46 goals and 38 assists for 84 points in 72 games in all competitions. He finished second overall in league goal scoring with 38 goals in 52 league games and sixth overall in league points.
Pictured above: Sanford celebrates a goal against the Dundee Stars (photo James Assinder)
Sanford was voted onto the EIHL’s Second All-Star Team by the coaches and GMs across the league. He picked up the Top Forward and Most Valuable Player awards at the Devils year end Awards Night. He also won the Best Forward Award in the IIHF Continental Cup Finals in Angers, France where the Devils won the bronze medal.
Pictured above: Sanford celebrates a game winner in 2022-23 (photo James Assinder)
The previous season in 2021-22, Sanford scored 33 goals and 36 assists for 69 points in 71 games in all competitions. He led the Devils in scoring during their 2021 Champions League campaign with 4 goals and 1 assist in 6 games. He also led the team in scoring on route to the 2022 Playoff Championship.
Pete Russell spoke about his latest signing:
“We are extremely happy to retain Cole Sanford. As everyone would imagine, there was a lot of interest in mainland Europe, but in the end, he felt he had unfinished business here and his heart was still in Cardiff.
Pictured above: Sanford celebrates scoring in Manchester (photo Mark Ferris)
“Cole is a competitor and a pure goal scorer. He plays with high compete and is a total gamer. He also plays with an edge and competes at both ends of the ice. Cole will play in all situations this season.
In Cole we are adding a top end talent and one of the best players in the league, a total game changer.”
Before signing with the Devils, Sanford had a brief stint with the Florida Everblades in the ECHL during the Covid shortened 2020-21 season. Prior to that, he spent 4 seasons at the University of Alberta, winning a National Championship in 2018.
Watch the full interview with Cole Sanford on his re-signing:
