Cardiff Devils 19/20 Player Ratings

After the 2019/20 EIHL season came to an abrupt end due to the ongoing COVID19 global pandemic at the time the Devils had just taken hold of first position in the league table and also having 3 games in hand on second placed, Sheffield. I've decided to rate the performance of the Devils roster using a tier list. Explanations for the rankings are written below:

Joey Haddad

After a personally disappointing end to the 2018/19 season where he watched the Devils win the playoff championships while helping Piggott and Lord behind the bench. Haddad returned with a point to prove and had a fantastic season being in contention for league top goalscorer throughout. Haddad scored 70 points (36+34) in 65 games in all competitions and asserted himself as a big threat on the Devils PP with his one timer.

Gleason Fournier

Fournier showed himself as probably the best offensive defenseman in the league and earned the most votes for a d man in all star voting. Fournier scored 60 points (16+44) in 65 games in all competitions whilst also being reliable defensively with his ever reliable D partner Mark Richardson.

Joey Martin

Despite missing the start of the season and the majority of the Devils CHL campaign, Martin returned with his play as strong as ever. Martin managed to finish the season as the record points scorer for the Devils in the EIHL era. It was Martin's first season of finishing below a point per game in league action but he was still instrumental in helping the Devils to 1st position in the league and to the Challenge Cup final.

Mike McNamee

After joining from the Aalborg Pirates and with a taste of CHL action with Aalborg, McNamee knew what to expect from the competition. He managed to score 2 goals and 1 assist in 5 CHL games for the Devils identical points wise to his return with the Pirates. McNamee managed 46 points in 58 games in all competitions putting him as the 4th highest scoring forward behind Haddad, Linglet and Martin which is a very respectable return in his first season of EIHL action.

Charles Linglet

In his second season with the Devils after a fantastic first season which included a spectacular backhand goal against the Nottingham Panthers in the Playoff Semi Final. Linglet did miss quite a few games this season for unexplained reasons but still managed a very respectable 47 points (10+37) in 55 games in all competitions. His ability to slow the game down to his speed is phenomenal to watch and will allow him to play later than most due to the lack of reliance on speed.

Sean McMonagle

A player that Lord claimed that the Devils had been looking at for years previous joined the Devils after helping Italy stay in the top division of international hockey identical to what GB had done in the other group as he scored the winning penalty shot in a shootout against Austria. McMonagle has been a solid defenseman who has also contributed significantly to the Devils offense and has also been a go to man for Andrew Lord in shootouts as shown against Graz 99ers in the CHL.

Blair Riley

Joining from the Belfast Giants the season after they had just beaten the Devils to the league title on regulation wins was always going to be a controversial one. Riley was the captain of the Giants and it was no secret that he was joining the Devils. Despite the initial dislike because of the switch, Devils fans grew to like Riley who won Fan Favourite in the team awards at the end of the season. Riley contributed 42 points (22+20) in 55 games in all competitions and scored some important goals for the Devils at important times. Clear leader and a winner who helped the Devils massively throughout the season.

Matt Pope

An exceptional season for Pope who managed to put up points whilst going under the radar. In his 3rd season with his Devils which started with a 57 point league campaign in his first season but his league totals have dropped significantly since scoring 44 points in 18/19 and only 30 in 19/20. Pope is slowly dropping down the pecking order which means less ice time.

Evan Mosey

Despite only playing 9 games in all competitions this season due to a knee injury sustained whilst with GB. Mosey returned with some great form and managed 7 points (4+3) in those 9 games. It would normally be very difficult for a player to perform after coming back from such a long injury rest.

Matias Sointu

Joining as injury cover for Joey Martin and arrived in time to play for the Devils in their 2nd CHL match against Graz 99ers. In the 22 games he played in all competitions he managed 5 goals and 11 assists. It was always a difficult job to fill Joey Martin's skates but Sointu contributed to the Devils offense well and was reliable in his own zone.

Shaone Morrisonn

Joining in mid November which gave Andrew Lord a welcome headache in choosing his blue line. Morrisonn paired up with Jardine who had a difficult start to the season but playing with Morrisonn gave him freedom to jump into the play offensively. Morrisonn's signing forced Bryce Reddick to move to forward to get ice time but Morrisonn was a solid mid season addition especially as a player who has played 480 NHL games for Boston, Washington and Buffalo.

Mark Richardson

Ever reliable Brit for the Devils who paired up with their best defenseman, Gleason Fournier to create their top pair. Richardson was tasked with looking after the blue line while Fournier made adventures around the offensive zone to collect his 60 points in all competitions. Richardson has been a key part of the Devils core for a while now and will continue that role next season.

Sam Jardine

Joining the Devils on the back of a Kelly cup win with the Newfoundland Growlers which didn't provide him with the best preparation for making the switch over to European hockey but Jardine grew into especially after being joined by Shaone Morrisonn giving him the freedom to roam that Richardson allows Fournier with Morrisonn's defensive defenseman style suited to Jardine's ability to join the rush.

Stephen Dixon

Back for his second season with the Devils after a solid season in his first. Dixon became a fan favourite for his 100% effort on every shift whilst playing with skilled players Haddad and Linglet who both had fantastic seasons points wise which was helped by Dixon's willingness to work in the dirty areas to get them the puck. Vital in all situations for the Devils but a great asset for the penalty kill with his ability to hound puck carriers to make simple mistakes.

Masi Marjamäki

Marjamäki endeared himself to the Devils in his first shift in a pre season match with a huge hit which led to a reaction from an opponent that ended in a 5 minute penalty and game misconduct. Marjamäki chipped in with his fair share of points whilst being a physical presence similar to Brad Voth. Sometimes he crossed the line and was lucky to escape further punishment from the league which angered opposing fans.

Matthew Myers

Spending the majority of his time centering a Brit line with Duggan and Batch to great success for a 4th line. Myers ability to win face-offs was key for the Devils in all situations especially on the penalty kill with his team stuck in their own zone for a prolonged time. Likely to return next season after having his testimonial cancelled due to ongoing events.

Sean Bentivoglio

In what we now know was his final season of a successful pro hockey career that started back in 2001 with Thorold Blackhawks. Bentivoglio spent the last decade playing in Europe mainly with Asiago followed by 4 seasons with the Devils. Unfortunately his points this season in the league fell off a cliff from his first 3 seasons with the Devils. He only managed 16 points in league action with only 1 goal.

Ben Bowns

Rumoured to be leaving the Devils for a European team this offseason which was expected to happen after last season's exploits on the biggest stage with GB which included a fantastic save on future first overall pick Jack Hughes. Bowns' high standards set over previous seasons have led to high expectations from Devils fans. This summer may give Managing Director, Todd Kelman another difficult decision to make by recruiting a starting net minder.

Bryce Reddick

The acquisition of Shaone Morrisonn in the middle of November pushed Reddick out of the Devils starting defensemen and forced him to switch to forward to cover injuries and Riley's absence to attend the Spengler Cup with Canada. Reddick made the switch seamlessly gaining ice time with some of the Devils top forwards. Clear fan favourite who managed to work his way back to the blue line by the end of the season forcing Mark Louis to watch as a healthy scratch.

Sam Duggan

Slight improvement of points this season in fewer games whilst spending the majority of his time with fellow Brits Myers and Batch. Devils will be hoping to re-sign the young Brit as EIHL regulations tighten around imports and hoping that he improves and earns ice time with some of the Devils better forwards to further his progression.

Josh Batch

In his 9th season with the Devils, Batch scored 10 points in league action which was a slight increase from last season especially considering the lower amount of games but only managed 1 league goal which is his lowest goal scoring return in all 9 seasons with the Devils but Batch's impact goes far beyond the scoresheet with the ability to use his size to intimidate opponents with hits and ability to drop the gloves when needed to protect his teammates.

Toms Rutkis

Rutkis wasn't given much ice time over the season with the Devils but managed 2 points (0+2) in his 20 games. Rutkis enjoyed far more success on the other side of his 2 way deal with the Swindon Wildcats scoring 38 points (20+18) in 42 games played. Hopefully Rutkis will get more ice time with the Devils next season to improve himself towards a full season with the Devils.

Mark Louis

Louis isn't in the team to put up points but you would expect him to get more than 5 points (2+3) in 62 games in all competitions. He ended the season as a healthy scratch after Reddick forced his way back into the Devils blue line leaving Louis as the odd one out. Winning a pair of fights against Giants enforcer Matt Pelech in the Challenge Cup QF and a CHL goal were his only real highlights of the season.