Cardiff Fire have signed four quality netminders for their first season playing in the second tier of British ice hockey.
Joe Myers, who was first to join Fire, will compete with Luke Takel, Lewis Davies and James Whiting between the pipes.
Cardiff-born Myers and Takel, from Pontypool, will initially battle it out for the starting spot, while Davies and Whiting are on two-way deals which make them available for Fire’s first and second teams in 2017-18.
Takel joins Myers in the National League Division One team, having been a Fire since the club was formed and part of the Cardiff NIHL set-up for more than 10 years.
The 31-year-old Takel has helped Fire win two League titles and his save percentage is consistently in the mid 90s.
He was also selected to play in the NIHL select team to play against Basingstoke Bison and earned himself rave reviews from their fans with an outstanding display.
“I’m delighted to have Taks back for another season, he’s a player I trust 100 per cent,” says head coach Mark Cuddihy. “He brings everything to practice every week and that shows in his games. His effort all week is phenomenal.
“Luke has been with me a long time and a dressing room without him wouldn’t have been the same. He’s now a highly experienced goalie and I’m sure he will be a big help to our younger goalies coming through.
“He has worked with Mike Brabon and Joe Myers in the past and they all know each other very well.
“Luke is excited about the challenges we face next season. He had a taste at the end of last season when he played against the Bison and did a really good job.”
Highly promising teenager Davies and Whiting, aged 20, are both on two-way contracts.
Davies, 17, has come through the Cardiff junior system and developed year upon year. He has been a regular within the South West conference systems and represented England in the Quebec tournament.
Davies was also selected for GB at under 16 level and has had trials with the GB under 18 team.
Cuddihy says: “We are really excited that Lewis has committed to the club. He’s a real prospect and wants to push himself onto the next level.
“He is going to put pressure on our goalies and I would like to give him some time with our division one team this season. Working with Mike Brabon will be great for him and facing the shots he will be up against in practice will bring him on. He’s one to look out for, a real prospect.”
Whiting joined Fire in 2015 and has shared duties with Takel and Myers for the last two season. Before joining Fire, he had played all his career in Cardiff making his senior debut at 16 in NIHL division One.
During 2013-14, Whiting also backed up for Devils in Elite League.
“James has been a fantastic team guy since joining the Fire,” says Cuddihy. “It’s been tough for him as opportunity has been limited with Taks and Joe. James is a top goalie at this level and having the extra ice time is going to bring him on further.
“He’s still a young goalie at 20 and James has all the abilities to progress. With this group of goalies we have I feel we are in safe hands and they will only get better under the further guidance of Mike Brabon.”
The two Fire teams play each other in a challenge match at Ice Arena Wales on Sunday, September 10. The NIHL fixtures start the following weekend.