Brits Batch, Rutkis and Duggan return for 2020/21

Over the past week the Devils have announced another 3 re-signings for the provisional 2020/21 EIHL season. On Friday 24th of July, Josh Batch was announced to return for his 10th season in Cardiff after joining in 2011. Followed by the re-signing of Toms Rutkis on a two-way deal with the Swindon Wildcats on Wednesday 29th of July and the trio of Brits was finished off with the announcement of Sam Duggan rejoining on Friday 31st of July.

Batch returns for his 10th season as a Devil after joining in 2011 after a brief stint in North America. In his 9 seasons with the Devils so far he has 34 goals and 89 assists for 123 points in 590 games played. Batch is a versatile Brit who has played both defense and offense during his time in Cardiff and also spends a lot of time penalty killing and blocking shots. Batch spent the majority of last season playing on the Devils 4th line with fellow Brits, Matthew Myers and Sam Duggan. Like many others already re-signed, Batch has been a key part of the Devils core of British players before and after the ownership change in 2014. Batch has helped the Devils lift 2 League titles, 2 Challenge Cups and 2 Playoff Championships in the past 6 years under the new owners.

Duggan re-signs for his 3rd year at the Devils after joining in 2018 after a brief spell in the NAHL with the Jamestown Rebels. During his 2 shortened seasons with the Devils, Duggan has scored 7 goals, 9 assists for 16 points in 121 games in all competitions with limited ice time on a line with Batch and Myers. Duggan has also spent a small amount time with the Devils skilled imports to improve his game during last season. Duggan is a hard working forward who will chase pucks with intent to help teammates which is a valuable asset on the penalty kill.

Rutkis is back for his 4th season as a Devil and will split his ice time between the Devils and the NIHL's Swindon Wildcats which is invaluable for his progression as an ice hockey player. Rutkis returns on the back of his highest scoring senior year where he managed 20 goals and 18 assists for 38 points in 42 games for Swindon and scored 2 assists in his limited ice time with the Devils. I'm sure both the Devils and Rutkis will be hoping that he can spend more of his time this season with the Devils and start scoring points in the EIHL as he progresses.

Forwards

#11 Stephen Dixon

#16 Sam Duggan

#23 Evan Mosey

#27 Joey Haddad

#37 Toms Rutkis

#41 Josh Batch

#88 Joey Martin

Defensemen

#17 Mark Richardson

#21 Sam Jardine

Goaltenders