Forward Layne Ulmer will be back in Cardiff for 2017-18 after a remarkable first season as a Devil.
Ulmer joined the Devils last summer from Italian club Asiago, where he spent the previous seven seasons, five of which were spent playing alongside current Devil Sean Bentivoglio.
Ulmer was lured to Cardiff by the opportunity to win a championship and to work for his Master’s Degree at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Despite attending classes, completing his MBA Degree and the birth of his first child late last season, Ulmer somehow balanced off-ice commitments with an astonishing season on the ice for Devils.
He finished a point behind Joey Martin and Andrew Hothamfor the team lead in Elite League scoring with 52 points in 51 games. In all games (League, Challenge Cup, Play-offs) Ulmer had 23 goals and 46 assists for 69 points in 65 games.
“Ulmer is a winner, it’s that simple,” said Devils coach Andrew Lord.
“We brought him in to be a leader and because of his proven track record of winning and playing his best in the big games.
“Before he came here, he won six titles in seven years in Italy. Guys that get a taste for winning, know what it takes to win and also can be a calming presence in pressure situations because they have been there before.
“That was Ulmer last season. He played at his best when we needed him most.
“He scored the game winner in the Challenge Cup for us. That sums it up right there.”
Ulmer was a star for Swift Current Broncos, the last amateur club he played for before turning pro. He then spent four years in the American League with Hartford Wolfpack, the top affiliate of New York Rangers.
Ulmer eventually earned a game in the NHL for Rangers during 2003-04.
He moved to Europe to play for TPS in the top league in Finland before moving to Frankfurt in Germany and then Graz in Austria before eventually settling in to Asiago for seven seasons.
Lord has revealed today that Mark Louis and Ulmer are returning, taking their total of import signings to nine. They can ice up to 14 in any one League match.
Elite teams can sign 22 players in total, including a British contingent, and Devils now have 13 confirmed – netminder Ben Bowns, four D-men and eight forwards.
Devils signings for 2017-18 season so far:
Netminder: Ben Bowns.
Defence: Mark Richardson, Gleason Fournier (import), Drew Paris (import), Mark Louis (import).
Forwards: Layne Ulmer (import), Andrew Lord (import), Joey Martin (import), Joey Haddad (import), Sean Bentivoglio (import), Matthew Myers, Craig Moore (British u-23), Justin Faryna (import).
Players from 2016-17 roster confirmed not returning: David Brine (signed for Medvescak Zagreb), Denny Kearney (signed for MK Lightning), Chris Culligan (retired from playing, appointed assistant coach at Cape Breton Unionized Tradesmen club, Nova Scotia), Guillaume Doucet (signed for MK Lightning).
Players from 2016-17 roster yet to confirm where they will be playing next season: Thomas Murdy (nm), Andrew Hotham, Scott Hotham, Josh Batch, Patrick Asselin, Patrick Bordeleau, Josh Batch, Jake Morissette.