Cardiff Devils have parted company with head coach Pete Russell.
Russell leaves after two seasons in charge of the Devils, having taken over the reins in May 2023.
Under Russell’s guidance, the Devils finished second in 2023/24 and fourth this season.
He also led the club to European honours, namely the Continental Cup back in January, and a Challenge Cup final, where they were beaten by Belfast Giants.
News of Russell’s departure comes days after an agonising Elite League playoff grand final defeat to Nottingham Panthers over the Easter weekend.
The Devils were on the wrong end of a thrilling double overtime defeat to the Panthers, in a game which saw both teams have overtime-winning goals disallowed.
Russell departs – despite signing new deal
Russell’s departure is all the more surprising given he signed a three-year contract extension back in November.
Widely regarded as contenders for title honours this season, a difficult run of form since the turn of the year – not helped by injuries to key members of their squad – saw Cardiff win just 16 of their final 32 league games.
Such a downturn in results saw them finish the regular season fourth in the Elite League standings, 12 points adrift of table-toppers Belfast Giants.
The club have confirmed that an out-clause was put in place when Russell signed the new deal last year, allowing him to move on before the new contract commenced on April 30.
‘A great person and a great coach’
Paying tribute to their outgoing head coach, Cardiff Devils managing director Todd Kelman said: “We won a European Championship under his leadership and made two finals this season.
“I want to thank Pete for everything he did for the team over the past two seasons and wish him well going forward.”
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