Josh MacDonald Returns as Cardiff Devils Near Full Roster for 2026-27 Season

Josh MacDonald returns to Cardiff Devils for a third season as the team nears a full roster ahead of the 2026-27 EIHL campaign, with four new signings and key players re-signed.

Josh MacDonald Rejoins Cardiff Devils for Third Season

Josh MacDonald will return to the Cardiff Devils for a third consecutive season after finishing second in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) goal-scoring charts in the 2025-26 campaign.

With confirmation that their leading goalscorer will remain with the team, the reigning Play-Offs champions have just two forward positions left to fill ahead of the new season starting in September.

The 32-year-old Canadian forward joined the Devils following three years playing in Germany. In the last season, he scored 31 goals and accumulated 58 points over 64 games.

"Josh returns to us after another highly productive year," said head coach Paul Thompson. "He played a big part in our championship win last season, and I'm looking forward to working with him again."

Cardiff have now confirmed 16 returning players alongside four new signings.

The futures of seven players from last season's squad remain undecided as the Devils, who will celebrate their 40th season, aim to secure their first EIHL regular season title since 2018.

Paul Thompson shouts on the Cardiff Devils bench during the Play-Offs semi-final — Image caption, Cardiff Devils' play-off triumph saw Paul Thompson become the first coach to win Elite League trophies with three different clubs

Four New Additions to the Squad

Finnish forward Panu Mieho was the final new recruit added to the Devils’ roster. The 31-year-old has spent the past two seasons with his hometown club IFK Helsinki, where he began his junior career.

Mieho has also played in Finland for Ilves and in Sweden’s Swedish Hockey League with Timra IK.

Cardiff have also signed Canadian forward Thomas Caron, aged 25, from Finnish Liiga side HPK. Additionally, Jake Sacratini, son of club legend Vezio Sacratini, has been recruited, along with defenceman Nick Welsh from Manchester Storm.

Among the players returning for another season at the Vindico Arena is Great Britain forward Ben Davies, who will be entering his 13th season with his hometown club.

In February, 31-year-old Davies became only the fifth player in EIHL history to reach 1,000 games played.

Goalkeeper Ben Bowns returns for his 11th campaign with the Devils, as does team captain Joey Martin. Other re-signings include veterans Mark Richardson and Evan Mosey, goaltender Christian Stoever, forwards Nolan Yaremko and Kohen Olischefski, and defencemen Brandon Estes and Tyson Helgesen.

Bayley Harewood has been awarded his first full-time contract after spending the last five seasons on two-way deals, primarily playing with the Bristol Pitbulls.

New Coaching Appointment

The Devils have also appointed Jeff Battah as the club’s new goaltending and video coach. This appointment came on the recommendation of his predecessor, Euan King, who has departed to join the Ice Hockey UK Foundation.

The 46-year-old Canadian coach brings extensive experience across professional, major junior, university, and international hockey. Most recently, he worked with Rapaces de Gap in France’s Ligue Magnus.

Season Schedule and Upcoming Fixtures

The Devils’ play-off victory last season marked Paul Thompson as the first coach to win Elite League trophies with three different clubs.

Cardiff have five pre-season games scheduled starting in August, before the new campaign begins at home against Guildford Flames in the Challenge Cup on Saturday, 12 September.

The following day, the Devils travel to face Coventry Blaze, beginning a six-game cup series that also includes matches against Manchester Storm, Nottingham Panthers, and Sheffield Steelers.

The Storm will be Cardiff’s first league opponents, with a home game on Saturday, 3 October, followed by a visit from Glasgow Clan the next day.

The Welsh club’s first encounter with last season’s League champions, Belfast Giants, will take place at home the following weekend.

The Devils will undertake a double-header road trip to Northern Ireland on 27 and 28 February, and will conclude the regular season with a home game against Nottingham Panthers and an away game at Guildford Flames on 3 and 4 April.