Jake Morissette is ready to lead Cardiff Devils in their quest for Elite League and European success in 2017-18.
‘Mo’ is a key player in the plans of head coach Andrew Lord, who believes his Devils team will again challenge for every domestic trophy.
Canadian Morissette had to watch when Devils clinched the 2016-17 league title after suffering a foot injury, but he has regained fitness and returns to match action on Friday.
The former Amarillo Gorillas forward plays in the Pro Allstars legends match at Ice Arena Wales this Friday (7.30pm).
Past and present Devils players are involved in Friday’s clash, which launches the Allstars tournament to be played throughout both days over the weekend.
Morissette takes another step towards full fitness by playing at Ice Arena Wales on Friday and will be ready for the start of Devils’ training camp on August 7.
The majority of players fly into the UK on August 5 and August 6 and Lord says: “Jake is captain of the team, leader of the team.
“A lot of our success over the last three years is largely down to him. Jake pushes the pace in practice and is a guy I can throw on any line knowing he will help improve the line.
“Over the first 20 or 25 matches last season Mo was probably our best player. Later on he was playing at 55 per cent to 60 per cent because of injury sustained blocking shots.
“Then he blocked another shot and suffered a broken foot.
“Jake is a top signing for us. I have no question marks there at all.
“He is one of the best penalty killers in the league and plays hard every night. Mo blocks shots, is responsible defensively and has the skill to be a top scorer in this league.”
Morissette is returning for a fifth season with Devils, having played in France, Denmark and Germany before coming to Wales.
Devils’ official Neil Francis, who also plays in Friday’s legends match in Cardiff Bay, hugely admires the assets Morissette brings to the team, saying: Mo is one of the most consistent players we have ever had here.
“He plays hard every night, never complains about anything and is a workhorse every day in training and the gym.
“Guys love him and they have tremendous respect for the job he does night in and night out. His attitude is infectious, and we know what we are going to get from him every day.”
Morissette has committed to Friday’s legends match along with Devils team-mates Josh Batch, Craig Moore, Mark Richardson and Thomas Murdy.
Steve Moria, Max Birbraer, Hilton Ruggles and Ian Cooper are among the former Devils players who return to the ice, along with Callum Buglass, James Manson, Simon Keating, Robbie Morris, Neil Francis, Chris Jones, Alex Symonds, Phil Manny, Phil Hill, Nicky Chinn, Jason Stone and Luke Piggott.
All money raised from the Allstars weekend at IAW goes to the Ice Hockey Players Benevolent Fund (IHPBF) and the Special Care Infant Parent Support group (SCIPS).
There are eight teams competing in the Allstars tournament on Saturday and Sunday, an event which follows the big match on Friday.
Tournament matches are taking place all day on Saturday and Sunday. Ticket information is available by calling 0800 0842 666, while spectators can pay on the door and attend on either day to watch the games.
Teams competing in the tournament on Saturday and Sunday are Ty Hafan Hockey All-Stars, Blue Cross AllStars, UK Allstar Heroes, Breast Cancer Care Hockey, Team BHF UK Charity All-Stars, Team Wales Air Ambulance All Stars, Prostate Cancer UK, Dreams Come True Ice Hockey.
Friday night legends teams (7.30pm):
Ice Hockey Players Benevolent Fund (IHPBF), playing in the Red Pro Allstars jerseys: Ian Cooper (capt), Callum Buglass, James Manson, Brian Biddulph, Robert Dowd, Simon Keating, Robbie Morris, Craig Moore, Steve Moria, Owen Griffiths, Neil Francis, Mark Richardson, Jake Morissette, Chris Jones, Alex Symonds.
Special Care Infant Parent Support (SCIPS), playing in the Blue Pro Allstars jerseys: Max Birbraer (capt), Phil Manny, Graham Waghorn, Simon Hunt, Phil Hill, Nicky Chinn, Jason Stone, David Heath, Josh Batch, Luke Piggott.
To avoid queues on the night, advance tickets can be purchased online from cardiffdevils.com HERE
For more information on these two charities, click on the links: Ice Hockey Players’ Benevolent Fund SCIPS.