Cardiff Devils Confirmed Signings & Departures 2026/27
Trevor Cox doesn’t sound too happy about Sanford’s departure over on ‘X’. Anyone would think they’re best mates…
Another thing I’ve often thought about Sanford - if we ever released him but he stayed in the league I never thought it would be Sheffield or Belfast. I thought he would end up at Coventry/Guildford/Glasgow. I think that speaks volumes. I’m sure the better teams in this league think he’s a great goal scorer but they’ve got a few question marks about his all round game.
Another thing I’ve often thought about Sanford - if we ever released him but he stayed in the league I never thought it would be Sheffield or Belfast. I thought he would end up at Coventry/Guildford/Glasgow. I think that speaks volumes. I’m sure the better teams in this league think he’s a great goal scorer but they’ve got a few question marks about his all round game.
Last edited:
Whether you wanted Cole to stay or go, the reality is that he has been in top 2 in scoring all the years he's been here. And for those who think he's been on the decline, last year he was our top point per game player, same league points as Joey Martin but Cole played 6 less games.
The two new additions in Caron are Mieho are exciting and look very good, but they aren't going to bring the points Cole has. I'll be honest and say I'll be worried if Brandt is our last remaining signing. Add to that, our other goal scoring threat Yaremko hasn't played a full season of 55-60+ games since his junior days a decade ago. We need a goal scorer as our final signing, no question.
The two new additions in Caron are Mieho are exciting and look very good, but they aren't going to bring the points Cole has. I'll be honest and say I'll be worried if Brandt is our last remaining signing. Add to that, our other goal scoring threat Yaremko hasn't played a full season of 55-60+ games since his junior days a decade ago. We need a goal scorer as our final signing, no question.
Whoever the last signing is there will be disappointment, was the same when kontos was announced as the last signing last year ( look what happened there)
Will miss Cole, good player who has consistently scored goals for years, as has already been said, there are not many players in our league who haven't got a weakness in their game somewhere
Will miss Cole, good player who has consistently scored goals for years, as has already been said, there are not many players in our league who haven't got a weakness in their game somewhere
Always sad to see a long serving player go, but I do feel it’s the right time for Sanford.
I remember when he signed. He started well on the 2nd line but there was a fair bit of criticism on him scoring in patches. Then we brought in Coughler and that line effectively became the 1st line and he had a great end to the season. IIRC the fanbase was still split on whether he should return, but he did. And for the next two seasons he was phenomenal.
After season three Cox decided to retire and Sanford moved to Europe, before quickly returning to Cardiff. And whilst he wasn’t a disappointment in the following two seasons he never matched the goal scoring of the previous two. His critics will say that if he wasn’t scoring he wasn’t contributing and he gave up silly and crucial penalties. But he did score the goals and we don’t appear to have replaced them.
My guess is that Thommo is trying to change the style of our forwards. Bigger and more physical, and that’s what has cost Sanford his spot.
But one of my favourite memories of Sanford will be from his last ever game for us. With time ticking down in the second period Sanford chased down what seemed a simple dump and lost cause. But he stole the puck off the Steelers D, setup Yarmenko and he scored what proved to be the playoff winning goal. I do wonder if he did that more in the season whether he’d still be here.
A big thank you to Sanford for his five years in Cardiff and the best of luck in the future. Except when he’s playing us obviously.
I remember when he signed. He started well on the 2nd line but there was a fair bit of criticism on him scoring in patches. Then we brought in Coughler and that line effectively became the 1st line and he had a great end to the season. IIRC the fanbase was still split on whether he should return, but he did. And for the next two seasons he was phenomenal.
After season three Cox decided to retire and Sanford moved to Europe, before quickly returning to Cardiff. And whilst he wasn’t a disappointment in the following two seasons he never matched the goal scoring of the previous two. His critics will say that if he wasn’t scoring he wasn’t contributing and he gave up silly and crucial penalties. But he did score the goals and we don’t appear to have replaced them.
My guess is that Thommo is trying to change the style of our forwards. Bigger and more physical, and that’s what has cost Sanford his spot.
But one of my favourite memories of Sanford will be from his last ever game for us. With time ticking down in the second period Sanford chased down what seemed a simple dump and lost cause. But he stole the puck off the Steelers D, setup Yarmenko and he scored what proved to be the playoff winning goal. I do wonder if he did that more in the season whether he’d still be here.
A big thank you to Sanford for his five years in Cardiff and the best of luck in the future. Except when he’s playing us obviously.
I think this too. Sadly, his attitude in games let him drift in and out of them. I never felt he was the right fit for a penalty killer either, and I’d imagine he wanted this role.
Right time to go for me, and judging by Cox’s post it was a Devils decision, not a Sanford decision.
That he hasn’t gone to arena team says it all.
Right time to go for me, and judging by Cox’s post it was a Devils decision, not a Sanford decision.
That he hasn’t gone to arena team says it all.