Devils lose ground on title chasers at Sheffield
Cardiff Devils lost ground in the Elite League title race after their five-game winning run was halted at Sheffield Steelers.Cardiff remain fourth but are now six points behind third-placed Nottingham Panthers after a second defeat of the campaign at Sheffield.The Steelers remain second after shaking off their recent indifferent form.They had won just three of their last seven games - including a 6-2 loss in south Wales - but they edged a tight first period dominated by both defences.Colton Saucerman netted the only goal of that first period before Mikko Juusola scored just 27 seconds into the second.Zach O'Brien's response for Devils was swiftly cancelled out Steelers' Patrick Watling before Joey Martin scored during a powerplay just before the break.That set up a tense final period that remained goalless until Kevin Tansey netted for Steelers three minutes from time before Cole Sanford's late score.
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BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
'Really special' - Devils celebrate GOAT Martin
"It's difficult to describe the impact Joey Martin has had on this organisation on and off the ice."For managing director Todd Kelman, Cardiff Devils' number 88 is, "our best player over the last decade". For most fans, forward Martin is simply the GOAT - the greatest of all Saturday (17:00 BST) at the Vindico Arena, the 36-year-old from Ontario joins a select group of players the club has hounored in recent seasons; Great Britain internationals Mark Richardson, Matthew Myers, Josh Batch and Ben is the first non-British player to be awarded a testimonial game in the past eleven years of the current ownership."I'm extremely grateful, it's really special, it's made me reflect on all the years I've been here."I always feel very fortunate that I landed at this club and have so many great memories that I can look back on," said Martin. Martin first joined the Devils in 2014 and after a brief spell away during Covid returned in his first five-season spell with Cardiff, he won the league's Forward of the Year three times, Player of the Year twice and made the league's All-Star team every the 2024-25 season - his ninth at the Welsh club - he became the highest scoring import player in Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) history and was Devils' Players' Player of the Year."As the league has improved, he has still always been one of the top players," added Kelman on announcing Martin would be back for a 10th campaign in a Devils jersey. "We are very lucky to have had him all these years." 'My love for the game started in the driveway' Martin was born and bred in the small city of Thorold, ten miles west of Niagara Falls on the United States border."Like most Canadian kids my love for the game started in the driveway and the street playing with my brothers and friends and then in the winters on the frozen lakes and ponds," recalls started his junior hockey with local club Thorold Blackhawks, then as a teenager he joined Aurora Tigers in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League, winning the 2007 Canadian National Junior Championship, the Royal Bank hockey followed whilst studying physical education at the University of Nebraska in Omaha, sometimes in front of 17,000 after captaining Omaha Mavericks in his final student season, in 2011 Martin went professional with Ohio-based Toledo Walleye."Going from school to the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) was a bit of an adjustment. Sometimes you play four games in five nights, a lot of road trips on the bus, it's a bit of a grind," added ECHL sits third in the North America hierarchy, below the American Hockey League (AHL) and the dream destination for all hockey players, the globally-dominant NHL."I had a few different call ups [to the AHL] with Houston Aeros, Texas Stars and Bridgeport Sound Tigers."After three years of that, getting called up and sent down, I was over that whole lifestyle and that's why I ended up pursuing options over here [the UK]." 'I thought, oh no!' In late July 2014 Martin received a call from an old Toledo teammate, Doug Clarkson, who had signed for a British club under new ownership – the Cardiff Devils. They were looking for a centre-mid forward and wanted to know if Martin was the time Martin knew very little about professional hockey in the UK."I thought that people generally came here and did their master's degree at the end of their career," he remembers."I knew it was more of a North American style, it was physical, they had enforcers, so I thought it'd be similar to the East Coast Hockey League but other than that I wasn't familiar with Cardiff, the club or the history."I kind of made a quick decision and I'm very happy with that decision now!"Martin also had no idea that his new hockey home, Devils' ice rink, was just a timber prefab, clad with bright blue tarpaulin."I remember coming on the bus and seeing this big, beautiful glass building and I said, 'Wow! That's a beautiful arena.' And they said, 'No, that's the international swimming pool, the arena's round the corner'."And then we kept driving and I saw the Big Blue Tent and I thought, 'Oh, no!'"But we had a team that just embraced it, we actually loved playing in the tent. It was a hostile environment for other teams, it was definitely an advantage for us." That first season for Martin saw the Devils unexpectedly reach the Challenge Cup Final, where they faced the sizeable challenge of taking on Sheffield Steelers in their own Sheffield was, though, a huge migration of Welsh fans from Cardiff, one that lives long in the memories of those that were there."I remember stepping on the ice for the warm-up and seeing half that arena filled with our fans. I remember thinking this is pretty special," said Martin."That's when you really saw how much it meant to the club, to the fans."Goals from player-coach Andrew Lord and centreman Chris Culligan gave Cardiff a 2-1 victory to lift their first trophy in eight years."Winning that game was awesome, just to see the look on everybody's faces and the joy especially with the season before being a tough one when they hadn't made the play-offs," Martin added."The expectations weren't for us to even be there, let alone win it. It was a really special moment."Over the next four seasons Cardiff Devils experienced a golden period winning the league twice, the 2017 Challenge Cup and two Play-Off hockey in the UK was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Martin went to Norway, playing in front of reduced crowds for Stavanger Oilers though eventually their 2021 season was curtailed before the Elite Hockey Ligaen then joined Graz99ers in Austria who were more than aware of Martin's qualities after he had been a crucial part of Cardiff's two group victories against them in the 2019 Champions Hockey halfway through the season Martin decided it was time to return to Cardiff."I really enjoyed my time in Graz, but I just felt that I wanted to come back to a club where the expectations were to win, and I wanted to be back in that kind of culture."And it just felt like the time to come back home." 'It's been an awesome ride - I never want it to end' Somewhat unexpectedly for Martin, the first two seasons after his return were trophyless for in January 2025 the Devils won their first European title - the IIHF Continental Cup. "That was the third year in a row of us being in that competition and I felt in the years prior we had a good chance to win it but let it slip," Martin said."I think we were just laser focused this year and it was a huge deal not just for us players, all the fans and all the people in the organisation."Following that win the Devils' chase for the league title fell away to finish in fourth place having also lost the Challenge Cup final to Belfast Giants in feels the extra games played competing in the Continental Cup, and the squad being blighted by injuries thoughout the season, caught up with them."We were playing three lines it felt like for months, and that's hard to do when you're playing three games a week, back-to-back games on the weekend and injuries keep piling up," he said."We held on for as long as we could but it just came to the point where the wheels fell off. It was tough to be a part of."We're not the only team that goes through this, but we were hit pretty hard by injuries this year."It was a campaign so nearly polished off with the shine of a second peice of in the final game of the season Cardiff lost the Play-Off final in double over-time to Nottingham - a tumultuous final that will not be forgotten soon by Panthers fans and neutrals who witnessed the for the Martin and his Devils team-mates losing that epic final, where they came back from 3-0 down to force over-time, will simply rankle forever."We were stunned for a few days to be honest, it's still hard to reflect on because we were so close to winning a trophy that I think this group deserved," reflects Martin."I think losing that Play-Off final ignited something in me that I just wanted to sign back to get another chance to win another trophy."I'm very proud of what we've done here over the years, a lot of success, a lot of good times, a lot of hard work, but I feel that we're not done yet."We need to have some more trophies; we need to create some more memories and hopefully we can do that."If you look at where the game has taken me, I feel fortunate, it's been an awesome ride. I never want it to end."
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Scotsman
Elite Hibs prospect's title triumph perfect end to year of 'obstacles and adversity'
Youngest ever first-teamer bounced from loan spell to youth team in challenging campaign Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... One of Hibernian's most exciting prospects has been backed to recover from a season of setbacks – after producing the ideal response to falling out of the first-team reckoning. And Rory Whittaker's attitude to being dropped back into age-grade football has been hailed as an example to all young talents. The youngest debutant in club history, Whittaker was just 16 years and 44 days old when then-manager Nick Montgomery threw him into a home win over St Johnstone in September of 2023. He featured regularly as a substitute during Montgomery's eight months at the helm – and was rewarded with a three-year contract as Hibs looked to lock down a player seen as a future regular. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With Hibs overloaded in the right back position, however, David Gray sent Whittaker out on loan to Spartans – where the youngster had started his career as a schoolboy - at the beginning of last season in the hope of furthering his development. Although regularly used as a substitute, the teenager made just two starts for the SPFL League Two side. When he returned to Hibs in January, the club decided against another loan move – and dropped Whittaker back into the under-18s squad, where he played his part in helping Darren McGregor's team pull off a stunning Club Academy Scotland Elite League title triumph . His performances for the youth team confirmed the coaching staff's high opinion of a character backed to benefit from going through such adversity. Scottish Cup hero McGregor impressed with defender Former first-team stalwart McGregor, who said Whittaker could easily have consider himself 'above' the daily grind of under-18 football, was massively impressed, the Scottish Cup winner saying: 'I mean, that's learning for you, that's football, sometimes it happens that you have to take a step back. And I think Rory was excellent in the run-in and the big important games, he was really one of the guys that sort of took the bull by the horns. He's got that, he's a confident lad, nothing phases him. 'But he had that wee bit of adversity, obviously getting into the first team, dropping back out, going to Spartans. Then it not quite working out at Spartans, coming back to us - and then just knuckling down and working hard. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'He could have quite easily said: 'I've been in the first team, I've been at Spartans, I'm above the 18s …' But he never did. He came back, worked hard and showed what a good player he is. 'All these little obstacles and adversity, for me, stand them in good stead when they get older because it's not always sunshine and rainbows. There's lots of peaks and there's lots of troughs as well. 'And I always say that to the lads, try to stay as close to centre as you can because you will get disappointments in football. People will have opinions about you. But if you believe in yourself and you keep working hard and show a can-do attitude, you've got half a chance. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I say to the older boys in our group, boys like Rory Whittaker, Dead Cleland and Joe McGrath, really all the 2007 group, that the younger lads look up to them. The '08s and '09s look up to you, so set the standard – and that inspires them to reach that standard, maybe even better.'
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Aaron Rodgers went to Mike Tomlin's backyard cookout
The host? Mike Tomlin. Witnessing this energetic exchange was classic. The love exhibited between Rodgers and his new coach seemed so genuine. And what a fitting place for Rodgers to jump-start the process of acclimating to a new environment. The quarterback seemed laid-back, open and comfortable as he mingled with Tomlin and many of the guests for a few hours during the cookout. "That was so cool," Rodgers told USA TODAY Sports, reflecting on Tuesday during his debut at the opening of the Steelers minicamp. "Had a great time." Tomlin has hosted the event around this time on the calendar for several years, inviting staff, family and friends - and this year he doubled down on the top-shelf catering, adding BBQ to the usual Louisiana seafood fare - so Rodgers' timing was spot-on. And his presence may have had added significance when considering the weight that Rodgers, 41, put on his emerging relationship with Tomlin as a key factor for joining the Steelers. For the bulk of the offseason, as Rodgers sorted through myriad personal and professional matters, including retirement, he talked to Tomlin at least once per week. "The way that the conversations went between him and I, between whenever it was in March, through April and the last Sunday when I called him, was some of the coolest conversations I've had in the game. Definitely, with a head coach," Rodgers said during a post-practice press conference. "He's a big reason I'm here. I believe in him and am excited to play for him." Rodgers added that the vibe with Tomlin ultimately narrowed his process. "I think there were some conversations with other organizations, for sure, but the more that it fell in between me and Mike made it to where, as I was going through my personal stuff, there wasn't any other option," Rodgers said. "It was here or not play."Bonding with Tomlin undoubtedly is crucial to the potential for a positive Pittsburgh experience. Yet it is hardly the only key relationship that Rodgers wants to develop. His social calendar the past few days is proof of that intent. Rodgers followed the Tomlin cookout by attending an outing for players hosted by team captain Cam Heyward. "It's been good," Rodgers told USA TODAY Sports of his acclimation process. "It's exciting. I went to Cam's cookout on Sunday and then went to his golf tournament (on Monday)." At Heyward's event, which raised funds for his charity foundation, Rodgers was seen driving a golf cart while DK Metcalf rode shotgun. How fitting. Metcalf, the big-play receiver the Steelers acquired from the Seattle Seahawks in March, is Rodgers' most talented weapon. They need to bond. And they both know it. Metcalf worked out with Rodgers in Southern California earlier in the offseason. And Rodgers said the receiver has been "blowing up" his phone with text messages. Meanwhile, tight end Pat Freiermuth has connected with direct messages on social media. Rodgers and Freiermuth could make it to the U.S. Open golf tournament being staged at Oakmont, Pennsylvania, this weekend. Who is Aaron Rodgers' wife? What we know so far about Steelers QB's marriage Then there's the matter of football chemistry. Rodgers is looking to arrange workouts with skilled-position players during the five-week window between the end of minicamp and the July 23 report date for training camp in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Details are TBD. But Rodgers, who has a home in Southern California, has the location covered. "I have to try and convince them to come out to Malibu, California," he said. Rodgers worked in conditioning and individual football drills during his first day at minicamp. His movement was fluid and his passes were tight and crisp. He offered to do more and participate in the team drills, but Tomlin nixed that idea. "June reps are a heck of a lot more important for a guy like Will Howard at this stage of his career than they are for a guy that's been doing it 20 years," Tomlin said, using the sixth-round rookie for a comparison. "So, whatever reps he gets, you take away from a guy like Will Howard. And we're trying to get this collective ready for training camp." In other words, now that Rodgers is in the fold, there's no need to push it at this point. Besides, he's still learning the offense. While the other quarterbacks took the snaps in team drills, Rodgers listened to play-calls on his helmet and followed plays on the practice script. He also spent time conversing with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Which brings to mind more acclimation. As Rodgers absorbs a new offense, Smith will be tasked tailor the scheme to his Hall of Fame-credentialed quarterback. Their ability to mesh will be crucial and invites scrutiny when considering the reported friction last season between Smith and another veteran quarterback, Russell Wilson. Rodgers, meanwhile, has long been regarded as having one of the NFL's sharpest minds - which leads to the expectation that he will get extensive leeway in a system. He pushed back a bit, though, when essentially asked on Tuesday if he needs to have the freedom to be able to take over an offense when he sees fit. "The idea that somehow I need to, or I've spent most of my career playing outside of an offensive system is just not correct," Rodgers said. "I'm going to learn the offense and Arthur and I are going to talk a bunch this summer and if there are some things that I like, that I'd like to see in the offense, Arthur, I'm sure, is going to put it in. But he knows how to call a game; I know how to get us in the right spot, based on what's called. There's two or plays called in the huddle sometimes. My job is to get us in the right play." Let Aaron cook? Stay tuned. This week, though, it's about cookouts and finding his way around the Steelers headquarters. MORE: Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers are desperate to win big again. They are a perfect match "Everything's new," Rodgers said. "It's like the first day of school. I don't know a lot of guys' names. They don't have names on the back of the jerseys here; they don't have names in the doors of the meeting rooms. So, I literally walk out of the locker room lost. I try to grab somebody, 'Hey, where am I going?' But I'm getting the feel of it." Rodgers' first day at minicamp included a message to his new teammates during a team meeting. After his extended period of contemplation before deciding to join the Steelers on a one-year contract, perhaps it was a message that needed to be expressed. Especially now, as Rodgers transitions to new chapter. "He just said he's all-in and ready to go," relayed second-year center Zach Frazier. A message that surely won't hurt in the acclimation process. Follow Jarrett Bell on social media: @JarrettBell
