The Cardiff Devils completed their blueline rebuild on Friday, with Jimmy Oligny unveiled as the final piece of Paul Thompson’s defence.
Oligny arrives in the Elite League with a decade of American Hockey League experience, including three years as the captain of the Manitoba Moose.
The 32-year-old spent last on the continent, splitting his time between HKM Zvolen of the Slovak Extraliga and the ICE Hockey League’s Graz 99ers.
“We’re delighted to have signed Jimmy to complete our defensive core,” said incumbent Devils head coach Thompson.
“After ten years in the AHL, his leadership qualities, impressive defensive game, and invaluable experience will further enhance our group.
“Jimmy will be a key signing for us, with his presence and knowledge of the game. He is just the type of player and person I had been looking for.”
Who is Cardiff Devils defenceman Jimmy Oligny?
Oligny is a product of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, in which he played 302 games and recorded 123 points (29 goals, 94 assists) for the Prince Edward Island Rocket and Rimouski Oceanic.
Jimmy Oligny, Cardiff Devils (Image: Manitoba Moose)
Overlooked at the NHL Draft, the Canadian started his professional career with AHL Milwaukee and spent four seasons with the Admirals before signing an entry-level contract with the Vegas Golden Knights.
While Oligny failed to make Vegas’ NHL roster, he continued to play a leading role in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves and Manitoba Moose.
The left-shot defenceman’s ten-year career in North America’s second tier yielded 94 points (17 goals, 77 assists) in 473 appearances, with his final term (2023-24) curtailed by injury.
Oligny made his European debut last season, recording four assists in 14 Slovak Extraliga appearances for Zvolen and eight points (two goals, six assists) in 23 ICE Hockey League games for Austrian side Graz.
Why have the Cardiff Devils signed defenceman Jimmy Oligny?
Thompson’s bid to remould the Devils into a leaner, meaner machine is complete — at least on the blueline.
With the addition of Oligny, the Devils have another experienced and street smart defender on their books.
Standing at 5-foot-11, the Saint-Michel-native won’t overpower the Elite League’s bruisers and enforcers — but his all-round defensive qualities make him a top-four lock for Cardiff.
If not for his recent injury record, Oligny would likely have been out of reach for the Devils.
This is, after all, a player who holds a decade of AHL experience, including four seasons in leadership roles.
Oligny’s credentials as a shutdown defenceman are well-minted, dating back to his QMJHL days. He routinely led the Moose and Admirals in ice time, taking on primary penalty-killing responsibilities and the toughest match-ups at five-on-five.
While unlikely to set pulses racing in the offensive zone (he recorded a career-high 17 points in 67 games in 2021-22), Oligny looks the part of a top signing for Cardiff — provided he stays healthy.
With Gleason Fournier set to reprise his role as the Devils’ No. 1 left-shot defenceman and Tyson Helgesen holding down his spot on the third pair, Oligny projects as a second-pair player for the season ahead.
His signing is another shrewd move by the Devils.
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