By Terry Phillips
Paul Heavey is tipping Cardiff Devils to win the Elite League title – and he has all the credentials needed to back up his argument.
Former Devils captain Heavey led the Welsh team to a Grand Slam of trophies in 1993 and was head coach when they were last crowned League champions 20 years ago.
Cardiff finished two points behind champions Sheffield Steelers in each of the last two seasons and Heavey believes they can take top spot in 2016-17.
Devils are currently seven points clear at the top and take on rivals Steelers at Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff Bay this Sunday (6pm).
Glasgow-born Heavey has watched Devils in action this season and says: “They have a big, strong team with good depth plus a solid combination of quality and power.
“They also impressed with their team work ethic and are the best team I’ve seen this season. Devils are top of the League and I have no doubts at all they will be in the mix for honours.
“In my view they look good enough to win the League title.”
Heavey’s Devils team in 1996-97 finished four points clear of runners-up Steelers – and how current coach Andrew Lord’s players would love to emulate the success of that season.
Ken Hodge, Ivan Matulik, Steve Thornton and Vezio Sacratini were among the stars on Heavey’s team roster, while Joey Martin, Guillaume Doucet and goalie Ben Bowns and others are shining for Lord’s men.
This weekend Devils travel to play Coventry Blaze away on Saturday, while a sell-out 3,000-plus attendance looks certain on at the IAW on Sunday evening.
Cardiff have already won three times against Steelers away in the current campaign, although they were edged out 5-4 by their rivals when Sheffield made their only visit to South Wales so far.
While Devils continue their chase for trophy glory, Heavey is helping to prepare Great Britain’s under-20 team for their World Championship fixtures in France during December.
He has been assistant coach at GB level over the last four years, having previously had spells in charge at Devils (1994-99), Ayr, Manchester, Solihull and Cardiff.
Tommy Watkins is the British head coach and he includes 12 of the squad who won the gold medal in Estonia a year ago.
Hosts France, Japan, Poland, Slovenia and Ukraine are the other teams in GB’s group, which will be based in Megeve. and runs from December 12 to December 18. The group winners will be promoted to Division One A.
Great Britain under-20 squad:
Netminders: Ben Churchfield (Portland Jr Pirates), Jordan Hedley (Swindon Wildcats)
Defencemen: Callum Buglass (Swindon Wildcats), Josh Grieveson (Middlesex Black Bears), Jay King (Edinburgh Capitals), Edward Knaggs (Milton Keynes), Cameron McGiffin (Peterborough Phantoms), Harvey Stead (Swindon Wildcats), Oliver Stone (Okanagan).
Forwards: Ivan Antonov (Bracknell Bees), Ollie Betteridge (Nottingham Panthers), Glenn Billing (Milton Keynes), Lee Bonner (Hull Pirates), Sam Duggan (Orebro), Alex Forbes (Ogden Mustangs), Connor Glossop (Nottingham Lions), Macaulay Heywood (Telford Tigers), Lewis Hook (Milton Keynes), Luc Johnson (Milton Keynes), Toms Rutkis (Swindon Wildcats), Duncan Speirs (Solway Sharks), Michael Stratford (Swindon Wildcats).
Cardiff-born Owen Griffiths, who plays for Swindon Wildcats, is among the reserves.