British forward Luke Piggott is back for an eighth season in Cardiff Devils colours.
Piggott’s return was announced by the club at 4pm and head coach Andrew Lord says: “Luke has a great eye for the game and still has a passion for playing that will push the other Brits for ice time.”
The announcement that Piggott has joined Cardiff’s British contingent means Devils still have two import players to come in.
There has not been any official news about whether Tyson Strachan and Patrick Asselin are playing on, but it is thought they are calling a halt to distinguished careers.
Devils are being strongly linked with a new defenceman and a forward, both from North America, and Lord will reveal his next move over the next week or so.
Piggott, 32, played 25 matches for Devils last season and when he wasn’t on the ice, he was behind the bench. That is a role that he will continue doing more and more.
Lord has officially stepped away from playing, but has pledged to maintain fitness and would be available in an emergency, while Piggott will combine playing and coaching.
The tenacious forward played his youth hockey in Basingstoke before moving to Cardiff and playing in Cardiff’s English National League team.
He moved up to the senior club for 2011-12 season and has been a member of the Devils ever since.
“Luke was one of the key parts of our turnaround when we took over in 2014,” said Todd Kelman: “He is such a big part of this club, on and off the ice.”
The doctor will see you now 👨🏻🔬
Please welcome back to Cardiff for another season @Piggsie21 🏒#WelcomeHomeDrPiggsie pic.twitter.com/gPLCwj8J67— Cardiff Devils (@cardiffdevils) July 29, 2018
Lord added: “Luke is so well respected by the guys became more involved in the coaching side last.
“He has a great eye for the game, but still has a passion for playing that will push the other Brits for ice time.
“I lean a lot on Luke throughout the season because he knows our systems and has a great feel for how the team is performing.
“He has been a vital part of our success over the past few years and I expect more of the same from him this year.”
Piggott balances his life in professional ice hockey with a full-time career in cancer research.
He did his undergraduate degree in medical biochemistry at Cardiff University before studying for a Masters and then his PhD, which he earned in 2012 and then moved into research with Cardiff University.
Cardiff Devils signings for 2018-19 so far:
Netminders: Ben Bowns, Thomas Murdy.
Defencemen: Ben Blood (import), Bryce Reddick (import), Mark Louis (import), Gleason Fournier (import), Mark Richardson.
Forwards: Luke Piggott, Josh Batch, Stephen Dixon (import), Toms Rutkis, Mike Hedden (import), Layne Ulmer (import), Matthew Myers, Justin Faryna (import), Jake Morissette (import), Sean Bentivoglio (import), Craig Moore, Matt Pope (import), Joey Martin (import), Joey Haddad (import).