British forward Luke Piggott is back for his seventh season with Cardiff Devils.

The surprise announcement came a few hours after Devils has revealed high-end import forward Patrick Asselin will play for the team again in 2017-18.

New Elite League rules limit rosters to 19 players with the option if signing more players who are British and aged under-23.

With Ben Bowns, Thomas Murdy, Josh Batch, Mark Richardson and Matthew Myers already signed up early into the off-season, it looked as though ‘Piggsy’ was an unfortunate casualty of the new EIHL rule.

“The new rule of developing young British players is a great opportunity for young Brits like Craig Moore, but it hurts guys like Chris Jones (who recently signed for Swindon) and Luke Piggott,” says head coach Andrew Lord.

“They both have been great role players for us over the last few years. Last season they both did a great job on the fourth line and if we didn’t have that line playing the role they did, I don’t think we would have won the league title.

“We see Luke pushing the other Brits for ice time and if there are injuries or one of the Brits isn’t earning their ice time, he will get his chance to play. When he isn’t playing, he will be helping out the coaching staff.

“Luke Piggott epitomises what the Cardiff Devils are all about. He is a great teammate, unselfish, works hard every day and will do anything for the team.

“The bottom line is, we wanted him around and we want him part of this team. That’s exactly what he wants as well.”

It still looks likely there will be more movement from Devils in terms of signings.