Cardiff Devils finally completed their quest for Continental Cup glory over the weekend, building on an encouraging year for Elite League teams in European competition.
Earlier in the season, Sheffield Steelers became only the second British team to progress from the group stage of the Champions Hockey League. Now Cardiff joins Nottingham Panthers as a Continental Cup winner after missing out in the two previous finals.
“I think this win shows the strength of our league,” said Brett Perlini, who scored a hat-trick in the decisive victory over Bruleurs de Loups on Sunday. “Any time you compete in Europe, you’re being judged by other countries.
“Hopefully our teams can continue to do well in this tournament and beyond.”
The strength of the Elite League is still heavily dependent on the quality of its imports, a hotly-contested talking point among hockey fans in the UK. Nonetheless, there’s a British spine to the Devils. Head coach Pete Russell has masterminded the national team’s progress in recent seasons, ending a 25-year wait for top division World Championship action. Club captain Mark Richardson is a veteran of the national team, while Perlini is a key forward for club and country
And, at the other end of the scale, 21-year-old forward Bayley Harewood could be a rising star for the Devils. He was called up from the National Ice Hockey League’s Bristol Pitbulls last month after an impressive 54 points in 32 games in Britain’s second-tier league. And he got his first point for the Devils with an assist in Sunday’s win over Grenoble.
After the game, the home crowd sang his name: “Bayley Harewood, he’s one of our own!” The youngster comes from Barry, a coastal town a short drive from the Devils’ arena.
That local connection made Sunday’s success extra special. “It was wicked!” Harewood smiled. “Being a homeboy, hearing that anthem is special. I live like 15 minutes away from the arena, I’ve come up through the juniors here and being a part of this team now is a great feeling.”
The fans aren’t alone in singing Harewood’s praises. Perlini also likes what’s developing. “It’s great to see Bayley,” the forward said. “He made a great play on my second goal on the night.
“It’s always good to give young guys a chance and it’s nice to see him taking it.”
Harewood, too, is relishing the step up to the Devils, gaining ice time and experience at home and against European opposition.
“Things are good now, I’m in the mixer,” he added. “I’m feeling better,…
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