Andrew Lord has finally got his man – a defenceman he has been tracking five years.
Canadian Sean McMonagle has signed for Cardiff Devils and head coach Lord says: “Sean was one of the first players we approached as an organisation when the owners took over and I’ve talked to him every summer since.
“I’m super excited we’ve finally signed McMonagle. He will bring a lot to our team on and off the ice.
“We’ve built a great relationship, he also knows Blair Riley and Matt Pope well and people can’t speak highly enough about his character.
“Sean is a highly skilled defenceman. His game has developed a lot over the years and he is now well rounded and can play in all situations.
“He has great hands, vision and playmaking ability.
“Sean also just finished off a great season winning the championship in Norway and was leading all defenceman in scoring.
“He comes to us after travelling and experiencing many different countries and he has consistently produced everywhere he’s been.”
Lord now needs one more signing – an import D-man – to complete the Devils roster for 2019-20.
The 31-year-old McMonagle is the fourth new name on the Devils roster for the new season, following Masi Marjamaki, Blair Riley, Mike McNamee, and the first new defenceman.
McMonagle arrives in Cardiff after a season in the top Norwegian league where he recorded 40 points in 60 games to help Frisk Asker win the Norwegian championship.
He was born in Oakville, Ontario and played his university hockey at Brown University before beginning his pro career with East Coast League Las Vegas Wranglers in 2010.
He played with new Devils forward Riley for the Wranglers in the 2010-11 season before making the move to Europe in 2011.
McMonagle spent his first season abroad in Sweden with Tingsryds AIF in the Allsvenskan before moving onto Italy where he spent a season played for Alleghe.
The 2013-14 season saw the 6ft 1in D-man move to Germany and EC Bad Nauheim before moving back to Italy where he played two seasons for HC Bolzano.
McMonagle holds an Italian passport and represented Italy for the first time in 2016 and has played 45 international matches since.
At this year’s IIHF World Championships in Slovakia, he scored game winning penalty in Italy’s final game against Austria that saw them stay in Pool A.
Cardiff Devils recruitment
Signings: (19 players announced – 13 imports, 6 British – maximum 14 imports can ice in any one EIHL game):
Head coach: Andrew Lord
Netminder: Ben Bowns, Thomas Murdy.
Defence: Sean McMonagle (import), Mark Richardson, Mark Louis (import), Gleason Fournier (import), Bryce Reddick (import)
Forwards: Sean Bentivoglio (import), Masi Marjamaki (import), Blair Riley (import), Stephen Dixon (import), Matthew Myers, Matt Pope (import), Mike McNamee (import), Sam Duggan, Joey Martin (import), Joey Haddad (import), Charles Linglet (import), Josh Batch.
Cardiff Devils pre-season and Champions League schedule:
August
Saturday 10 Cardiff Devils v Fehervar (Viola Arena, Cardiff Bay, 7pm)
Sunday 11: Cardiff Devils v Fehervar (Viola Arena, Cardiff Bay, 6pm)
Saturday 17: Nottingham Panthers v Cardiff Devils (in Nottingham, 7pm)
Sunday 18 Cardiff Devils v Nottingham Panthers (Viola Arena, Cardiff Bay, 6pm)
Sunday 25 Cardiff Devils V MAC Budapest (Viola Arena, Cardiff Bay, 6pm)
Friday 30 Cardiff Devils v Mountfield HK (Champions Hockey League fixture, Viola Arena, 7.30pm)
September
Sunday 1 Cardiff Devils v Graz 99ers (Champions Hockey League fixture, Viola Arena, 6pm)
Thursday 5 Mountfield HK v Cardiff Devils (Champions Hockey League fixture, 5pm)
Saturday 7 Graz 99ers v Cardiff Devils (Champions Hockey League fixture, 6.15pm)
October
Tuesday 8 Frolunda Indians v Devils (Champions Hockey League fixture, 5pm)
Tuesday 15 Devils v Frolunda Indians (Champions Hockey League fixture, Viola Arena, 7.30pm)
Single game tickets for pre-season and Champions Hockey League matches are now available along with the even-game ticket pack.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE or call us on 0800 0842 666
The 7-game pack, covering all four pre-season and three CHL home fixtures, offer big discounts and no service charges.