Cardiff Fire, who will play in National Ice Hockey League South One this season, have announced their first signing.
Elis Sheppard returns for a fifth year with Fire, having won players player and coaches player of the season awards last time out.
He joined Cardiff Fire from Slough in the club’s first year and his game has continued to grow each season. Sheppard has played 101 games for Fire, scoring 10 goals with 20 assists.
“Elis is a huge player for us,” says Fire coach Mark Cuddihy. “He has developed a ton over the last four years and this summer looks to have gained more strength and fitness, as he does every summer.
“He is only 22-years-old, but is an extremely mature player and person. He works hard on and off the ice to develop his game.
“Elis gets better with each senior season and I know he’s going to improve again. He already looks sharp and you can see how much work he has put in this summer already.
– Coaches and players player of the season back for 2019/20 @elisshep97 https://t.co/OsDPlbiY02 pic.twitter.com/wCTPuRIJGy
— Cardiff Fire (@CardiffFireIHC) August 6, 2019
“He is going to have a big role on the team this season!”
Fire take on Invicta Dynamos, MK Thunder, Streatham, Chelmsford Chieftains, Solent Devils, Slough Jets, Oxford City Stars, Bracknell Hornets and Romford Raiders Juniors in South One.
Their second team are in South Two and the other teams in that division are Guildford Phoenix, Bristol Pitbulls, Peterborough Phantoms 2, Haringey Huskies, Invicta Mustangs, Basingstoke Buffalo, Swindon Wildcats 2, Lee Valley Lions, Solent 2 and Streatham 2.
There are going to be play-off weekends for all divisions – five in total – in the coming season
For clubs in NIHL South 1 (Britton) the top eight teams from their league season will compete in two-legged quarter-finals over the weekend of April 4/5 with the respective winners meeting in the first South One finals weekend on April 11/12.
The teams in NIHL South 2 (Wilkinson) will send their top eight to playoffs with a format similar to South One. There will be two-legged quarter-finals over March 28/29 with the winners taking their place in South Two finals weekend on April 4/5.
The management of the Cardiff Fire are delighted to announce that Premier taxis have agreed to be title sponsors for a fifth consecutive season.
Premier Cars are one of the biggest taxi firms in South Wales with a fleet of over 275 drivers. Premier operate in Cardiff City centre and beyond.
Cardiff Fire fixtures 2019-20
NIHL South One
September
Saturday 14 v Romford Raiders 2 (away)
Saturday 21 v Slough Jets (away)
Sunday 22 v Solent Devils (home)
Sunday 29 v Slough Jets (home)
October
Saturday 5 v Bracknell Hornets (away)
Saturday 12 v Streatham (away)
Saturday 19 v Solent Devils (away)
Sunday 20 v Bracknell Hornets (home)
Saturday 26 v Chelmsford Chieftains (home)
November
Sunday 3 v Milton Keynes Thunder (home)
Saturday 9 v Chelmsford Chieftains (away)
Sunday 10 v Bracknell Hornets (home)
Saturday 16 v Invicta Dynamos (home)
Sunday 24 v Milton Keynes Thunder (away)
Saturday 30 v Romford Raiders (home)
December
Saturday 7 v Streatham (home)
Sunday 8 v Oxford City Stars (away)
Saturday 14 v Invicta Dynamos (away)
Sunday 15 v Solent Devils (home)
January
Saturday 4 v Romford Raiders (away)
Saturday 11 v Romford Raiders (home)
Sunday 12 v Milton Keynes Thunder (away)
Saturday 18 v Streatham (away)
Sunday 19 v Oxford City Stars (home)
Saturday 25 v Invicta Dynamos (home)
Sunday 26 v Bracknell Hornets (away)
February
Saturday 1 v Slough Jets (away)
Saturday 8 v Chelmsford Chieftains (home)
Sunday 9 v Invicta Dynamos (away)
Saturday 15 v Chelmsford Chieftains (away)
Sunday 16 v Oxford City Stars (home)
Saturday 22 v Solent Devils (away)
March
Saturday 7 v Milton Keynes Thunder (home)
Sunday 8 v Oxford City Stars (away)
Saturday 21 v Streatham (home)
Sunday 29 v Slough Jets (home)