Cardiff Devils have Blood on their hands – and their Elite League opponents are not going to be at all happy.
Head coach Andrew Lord has signed American defenceman Ben Blood, a 29-year-old former Binghamton Senators and Wheeling Nailers player.
The 6ft 4ins blueliner, who earned more than 350 penalty minutes over the last two seasons, will be quick to stand up for team-mates during 2018-19.
Blood played for Stjernen in Norway during 2015-16 before spending three seasons playing in Finland, staying with Pelicans for two years before joining Assat.
He is the second new signing in the Cardiff ranks, following forward Mike Hedden.
Devils also announced that utility player Bryce Reddick is returning to the club for 2018-19.
Devils have arranged a series of pre-season challenge fixtures.
Head coach Andrew Lord and his Devils have already confirmed fixtures against Nottingham Panthers on Saturday, August 11 and Sunday, August 12.
The first of those will be in Nottingham with the return at Ice Arena Wales the following evening.
Devils host Slovakian team HK Poprad in games at Ice Arena Wales during August.
The challenge fixtures will be on Saturday, August 18 (7pm) and Sunday, August 19 (6pm).
HK Poprad play in the top league in Slovakia, the same league that HC Banska Bystrica play in, who the Devils hosted two years ago in pre-season action.
Cardiff host the Blaze at Ice Arena Wales on Saturday, August 25 (7pm) with the return at the Skydome, Coventry and on Sunday, August 26 (5.15pm).
Devils are offering a seven-game ticket pack covering pre-season and Champions League matches.
The pack offers massive savings off single game prices, is available through July and can be purchased by phone on 0800 0842 666 or in person at Ice Arena Wales Box Office.
And please welcome @BennyBlood24 to Cardiff š #WelcomeBennyBlood pic.twitter.com/7vYoVaXjhk
— Cardiff Devils (@cardiffdevils) July 20, 2018
To book individual tickets for any pre-season or CHL games: CLICK HEREĀ orĀ phoneĀ 0800 0842 666.
Pre-season tickets are Ā£2 cheaper than the normal ticket prices for 2018-19.
Devils signings for 2018-19 so far:
Netminders: Ben Bowns, Thomas Murdy.
Skaters: Bryce Reddick, Ben Blood (import), Toms Rutkis, Mark Louis (import), Mike Hedden (import), Layne Ulmer (import), Matthew Myers, Justin Faryna (import), Jake Morissette (import), Sean Bentivoglio (import), Josh Batch, Craig Moore, Gleason Fournier (import), Matt Pope (import), Joey Martin (import), Joey Haddad (import), Mark Richardson.