As they look ahead to the new 25/26 season, the Cardiff Devils are bolstering their squad and making big changes to the personnel at the club to try and build on the success from last year’s season. The team carries a lot of history and prestige within the UK Ice Hockey scene, which has allowed them to attract top-quality players to the Vindico Arena. The Devils have kicked off their pre-season preparations with the signing of American defenceman Brandon Estes.
Estes will be the first signing under the new reign of head coach Paul Thompson, who will be sure to bring renewed vigor to the team through his wealth of knowledge and prestige. Paul Thompson has brought Estes with him from Odense Bulldogs after the pair won the Danish Championship title last season. Estes carries a lot of experience following a superb run for the Odense Bulldogs in the playoffs last season, where he scored 7 goals and provided 12 assists, and finished the season as the highest scoring defenceman in the league.
The new campaign will bring its challenges, and whilst many fans and punters alike will be looking to the Devils as favourites for the upcoming season, nothing is a given. Paul Thompson’s arrival alongside the existing squad and potential new signings will put the Devils in a very good position. Those looking to place some money on no verification betting sites and online sportsbooks alike will be strongly considering placing wagers on the Cardiff Devils’ success come the end of the 25/26 campaign.
A New Era
The appointment of Paul Thompson at the Cardiff Devils will fill the club and those associated with renewed hope, building on the relative success they have had in recent years. Having played well in the 2024-25 season, the Devils competed in the Challenge Cup Final, won their first Continental Cup title, and will be looking to continue their momentum to reach the Elite Ice Hockey League championship glory they have tasted in the past.
Thompson is a serial winner and is one of the most decorated UK Ice Hockey coaches around. He has won the most games as an EIHL head coach, and it seems that winning follows Thompson wherever he goes. Having won the Challenge Cup three times and the Elite League title five times, the Devils will be hoping that Thompson’s no-nonsense approach and tactical understanding of the game will elevate the Devils to become champions once again.
Pete Russells’s tenure will be seen favorably by fans and players alike, as he helped to restore the team to a point where they were consistently competing in the playoffs, but as Thompson begins his new reign at the club, everyone at Cardiff Devils is sure to be full of anticipation and excitement at the levels he may take the club to.
Transfer News
As Estes becomes one of the latest recruits to join the Cardiff Devils squad, he is not alone in being a new face around the Vindico Arena. In fact, the club has started this new chapter in its history with what seems like an aggressive approach to the new transfer market.
In a bid to make an immediate impact and change things quickly, Thompson brought in Tyson Helgesen just two days after his official appointment at the club. Following a fairly strong season at the Hungarian side, Ferecvarosi TC, Helgensen scored 3 goals, assisted 6 times and played 39 games. The 6-foot-3 tough defender is big in stature and is known to throw his weight around and comprehensively defend his own zone.
It seems like a sensible appointment from Thompson, who is looking to bolster his team with some presence in the back line. Helgensen also brings good leadership qualities to the Devils, who, despite having some recent success, have been lacking any consistency in recent years. Thompson has advised that he foresees that Helgensen is likely to be a ‘big part of their identity this season’.
As Thompson continues to look to stamp his authority on the team, there have been rumours that Cedric Lacroix could join the Devils in the transfer window as well. Remaining as rumours for now, Lacroix could be a great addition to the side, who would also bring leadership and hardy physical attributes to the side, which seems like something Thompson is looking for. Currently paying for HC Pustertal in Italy, Lacroix has a lot of experience and could be a welcome addition to the Devils’ side as they strive for further glory.
Players Returning
Whilst fresh faces at Cardiff are sure to help Thompson and the team bolster their squad, the retention of players is also key. Ryan Barrow has committed to joining the club for another season for the upcoming 25/26 season. This will be the player’s third season at the Devils, where he will hopefully continue his impressive performances of the last two seasons.
Barrow is renowned as being one of the hardest-working players in the league and is happy to play in most positions when needed. Following a tough year last year when the 28-year-old Canadian missed 12 games through injury, the Devils will be hoping he can turn up trumps this season and aid them in their season goals.
Barrow is not the only big name to mark his return to South Wales. Club legend Joey Martin has confirmed he will play his 10th season at the club, which is a huge boost for everyone involved at the Devils. Olischefski and Fournier have also put pen to paper and will return for the 25/26 season.
The retention of these existing players is a great boost to the club’s morale and will fill Thompson with hope that he can build a top squad capable of winning all that they can in the year to come.
Final Thoughts
With the anticipation for the upcoming season palpable, the Devils announced their preseason schedule, which will be a key time for the new coach and team to build their chemistry and work out the tactics for the season ahead. The new signings, along with the retention of some old faces, have put the team on a very good stead heading into this. It seems like fans are just as excited as those on the inside at the club, with ticket sales already in high demand, even for the preseason friendlies.
Time will tell how it unfolds for the Cardiff Devils next season, but one thing is for sure: there have been major changes at the club in a bid to rejuvenate an already solid squad. This is only bound to make them stronger and get them to those top heights they have experienced in the past.
