The Cardiff Devils announced four signings during their management team’s yearly summit meeting held in Canada today (July 8).

Three re-signings include the popular Matthew Myers, Layne Ulmer and Justin Faryna, with all playing a huge part in last seasons hugely successful 2016-17 campaign during which Cardiff retained their league title and triumphed in the playoffs.

The last addition announced was somewhat of a surprise with Calder Cup winner Mike Hedden heading to the EIHL.

It’s a huge signing for the reigning champions who are announcing their intentions with this coup.

Hedden made his professional debut in 2009 with Toledo Walleye and was a proven scorer during his time in the ECHL. After a few loan spells in the AHL, the 33 year old was snapped up by the Texas Stars in the summer of 2011.

The left winger would spend three seasons with the affiliate of the Dallas Stars, recording 124 points (55-69-122) in 204 games.
During Hedden’s last campaign in North America, Texas would taste Calder Cup success after victory against St. John’s IceCaps in the final.
The Ontario native finished second overall in playoff scoring (behind team-mate Travis Morin) with 19 points in 21 games including nine goals.

Hedden has since plied his trade in Europe, with stints in the KHL (Medvescak Zagreb – twelve games) and Liiga (Assat) before finding some continuity the last three years with DEL outfit, Straubing Tigers.
The Tigers will miss a forward who contributed at 0.70PPG and finished second, third and fourth in team scoring during his time in Germany.

Cardiff will benefit from a player who has consistently found a way to score at every level so far (bar the short spell with Medvescak) and brings a wealth of experience that will doubtless be of help during the Devils second season in the CHL.

Hedden isn’t the biggest of wingers listed at 5’10” and 185 lbs but he’s not easily dispossessed of the puck, plays with a great deal of grit and determination, is solid on the fore-check and a responsible two-way forward.
The left-handed shot is neither bereft of skill or stick-handling ability despite his penchant for being more of a goal-scorer than a play-making forward and he should prove an excellent addition on Cardiff’s already excellent power play.

Fore-checking

Shootout Goal

Setting up a goal with an individual play.
https://youtu.be/bqrmhca3VLg