Newly-signed Devils player Evan Mosey enjoyed his Ice Hogs experience in the American League and returned to Britain, in his view, a better player.
Speedy American Mosey, originally from Downers Grove, has been added to the Devils team following the departure of defenceman Ben Blood to Finland’s Tappara.
“Mosey is one of the fastest skaters we have seen in this league,” says Devils head coach Andrew Lord.
Pace on ice is a key asset for Mosey and he found that difficult to utilise playing for Rockford Ice Hogs in the AHL. He loves the bigger rinks in Elite League ice hockey and has happy memories from Ice Arena Wales.
He scored the winner for Nottingham in their 2017 Challenge Cup final success against Cardiff Devils.
Mosey spent the 2016-17 season playing for Rockford, a town 80 miles from the Illinois village where he was born.
“I think I’m a better player for the experience,” said Mosey after his 41-game stint with Ice Hogs when he switched between offence and defence.
“People don’t fully understand that the AHL is different to European hockey, massively. Every game is like it’s on Coventry’s ice.
“The rinks are so small that it’s all dump and chase and try to score mucky goals. You see glimpses of skill, but it’s hard-nosed hockey.
“The bigger ice in the World Championships with Great Britain at the end of that season was a breath of fresh air. I could take five or six strides without thinking someone is about to murder me!
“It’s two different styles, but I improved my understanding of the game in the AHL.”
Mosey, who will wear number 23 for Devils, is likely to start on D to replace Blood, but insists he has no big preference to play from the blue line or in the forwards.
“Honestly, it doesn’t bother me where I play,” he said. “All I ask is a 30-minute window before games if I have a different role, just to mentally prepare.
“Overall, though, it really doesn’t bother me where I play.”
Mosey, 28, is happy to take a leadership role in a Cardiff locker room which is full of leaders including captain Jake Morissette.
“I’m fine being a leader,” said the former Minnesota State University student. “I’m not the most vocal guy in the room, but I hope players respect me.
“I hope I play by example. I like to have fun and if I yell at someone they might not take me seriously.
“If they see my commitment then hopefully that rubs off.”
Mosey is eligible to play for Great Britain because his father, Graham, was born in the UK.
He played more than 200 matches for Panthers over three seasons, scoring 122 points.
Devils are working on his paperwork to try and ensure he will be able to play in this weekend’s games, away to Milton Keynes on Saturday and Belfast at home on Sunday.
Mosey, who holds a British passport, broke a leg while preparing to play with Team GB last April and missed the World Championships.
He spent the summer recovering and getting back to full fitness and signed for Danish club Herning Blue Fox. Now he has committed to Cardiff Devils for the rest of this season.
Last season he was with the Nottingham Panthers where he scored 22 goals and 22 assists in 55 games, splitting time between forward and defence.
Prior to that, he spent a year playing for Rockford, the top farm team of Chicago Blackhawks.
Mosey first came to the UK for 2014-15 when he joined the Panthers for two seasons, winning an Erhardt Conference Title, a Challenge Cup and play-off championship in those two seasons.
Former Coventry Blaze and Sheffield Steelers coach Paul Thompson is back in hockey coaching.
He has been appointed to take charge Deutsche Eishockey League Schwenninger Wild Wings, replacing Canadian Pat Cortina.
Thompson, 53, resigned from his position with Steelers last month for ‘personal reasons’.
Schwenninger are bottom of the DEL with one regulation win and one overtime success in 17 games played. That includes 13 regulation time defeats and they are five points adrift of Grizzlys Wolfsburg.
Former GB coach Thompson was previously in charge of the team in the Allsvenskan with Troja-Ljungby and in the Metal Ligaen with Aålborg Pirates.
Cardiff Devils remaining fixtures in November
Saturday 10 v MK Lightning (away, 7pm)
Sunday 11 v Belfast Giants (home, 6pm)
Saturday 17 v Nottingham Panthers (home, 7pm)
Sunday 18 v Dundee Stars (away, 5pm)
Wednesday 21 v Fife Flyers (home, 7.30pm)
Saturday 24 v Manchester Storm (away, 7pm)
Sunday 25 v MK Lightning (home, 6pm)
Devils match tickets:
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