In completing the signing of Nolan Yaremko, it’s no exaggeration to say this could be the addition that pushes Paul Thompson’s Cardiff Devils firmly into a window of title contention.
Signing yet another physically-gifted, two-way centreman can do for the Devils what Scott Conway, Pierre-Oliver Morin, and Ben Lake did for last season’s double-winning Belfast Giants.
Strength in depth at the centre position is an essential component of every title-fighting side — and the Devils are well-stocked down the middle of the ice with Joey Martin and Kohen Olischefski re-signed for 2025-26.
Who is Cardiff Devils forward Nolan Yaremko?
Yaremko arrives in the Elite League ahead of his third professional season, following spells in the American Hockey League, ECHL, and Germany’s DEL2.
The Spirit River-born forward came through the ranks with the Western Hockey League’s Tri-City Americans, for whom he recorded 159 points (67 goals, 92 assists) in 278 appearances.
Mount Royal University was Yaremko’s next stop.
The 6-foot-1 forward became a dominant force in collegiate hockey, twice earning a space on the USports First All-Star Team and once winning USports Player of the Year (2021-22).
After recording 93 points (38 goals, 55 assists) in 64 appearances for Mount Royal, Yaremko signed professional terms with the Laval Rocket.
Nolan Yaremko, Laval Rocket (Image: AHL)
The Canadian’s time in the AHL yielded 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 25 appearances, contributing a further 42 points (18 goals, 24 assists) in 44 ECHL games for the Trois-Rivieres Lions.
Yaremko spent last season in Germany’s second division, recording 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) in 32 outings for ESV Kaufbeuren.
Why have the Cardiff Devils sign Nolan Yaremko?
Yaremko is a clear stylistic fit for Thompson’s Devils.
Offensively, the left-shot centre is most impactful around the crease, with most of his goals coming from close range.
Despite lacking the kind of release that would make him a scoring threat off the rush, Yaremko’s high-end passing ability will create opportunities for his line mates.
Nolan Yaremko, Cardiff Devils (Image: DEL2)
Crucially, he plays with a physical edge — and will drop his gloves when called upon (as illustrated by 63 PIMs in 38 ECHL games).
“Nolan brings us good size and presence through the middle and plays the game the right way, with and without the puck,” said Thompson.
“I like his vision, and he brings others into the game with his heads up plays.
“He also plays with an edge, is strong on face-offs and has proven to be a top offensive forward during his career. His skill base will compliment our already talented lineup.”
As the Devils lean further into a physical and chippy play style, adding another forward of Yaremko’s ilk is a wise move.
In most cases, a player’s record in the ECHL is indicative of their Elite League potential — and Yaremko was just shy of being a point-per-game player in North America’s third tier.
Set for a middle-six role in Cardiff, he ticks every box for Thompson and the Devils.
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