Cardiff Devils have made a crucial new signing by adding 21-year-old Scot Craig Moore to their roster.
The former Dundee Stars player has committed to Elite League champions Devils and will fill one of the three roster places available to British players aged under-23.
Head coach Andrew Lord is delighted to have Moore in for 2016-17 because he will enable Devils to run with four lines as they did last season.
Moore has spent the last two seasons playing for Stars, serving as an assistant captain. He scored 2 goals and 11 assists in 66 games during the 2016/17 season.
He plays with a lot of tenacity and skates well, while Lord sees a ton of potential in Moore and spoke about his speed and his aggressive style of game that he feels will fit in well with the Devils.
“He’s a guy that is going to challenge himself every day to get better and better,” said Lord.
“Craig is comfortable playing forward and defence and I think he is going to come in and challenge some of the older guys for more minutes and I also think he is going to be a real vocal guy, which is something we need more of.”
Kirkcaldy-born Moore played junior hockey in Canada and America before making the switch to Stars two seasons ago.
“I set out to forecheck with intensity and speed, finishing my checks,” says Moore. “I’m a committed team man, playing any system laid out.
“I’m versatile and able to play either forward or defence. I give 100 per cent on and off the ice and have learned to stay composed under pressure.”
The six feet tall Moore, who played for Utah-based Western States League Ogden Mustangs before joining Stars, was captain of Great Britain when they won gold at the World Under-20 Championships, playing on full strength, penalty kill and powerplay.
He played for home town team Fife Flames at under-16 level and Fife Falcons in under-20 hockey, while Elite League Fife Flyers were keen to sign Moore when he returned to the UK from North America.
He opted for Dundee Stars and has had regular ice time for two seasons.
Former Glenrothes High School pupil Moore described helping GB win under-20 gold as ‘an unforgettable experience’ after they defeated Netherlands, Lithuania, Romania, Korea and Estonia.
“Being able to represent your nation is the greatest honour an athlete can receive and being named captain really added to the whole experience,” he said.“Growing up I could never have imagined being awarded the C for Great Britain.”
Moore has been a fans favourite at Dundee and he says: “My primary goal when I signed for Dundee two years ago was to establish myself as a player in Elite League.
“I wanted to compete and contribute every night for the Stars against some of the big names in the Elite League. My goal was to do this day in, day out at both practice and in games.”
Coach Lord gave his thoughts on the new Elite League rule about under-23 players on the roster next season.
“There are a lot of under 23 Brits, but there aren’t enough that are ready to play at this level,” he says. “That’s why we identified Craig right away and went after him as soon as the season was over.
“He can step in and contribute right away and I’m pumped to have him here in Cardiff next season.”