This weekend dad went to watch the Cardiff Devils hockey club of the British Elite league. Most of the players are late round NHL draft picks or AHL, ECHL, even NHL journeymen. Dad is convinced he could have played in 'his prime' but I am not so sure. To gain an automatic U.K. work permit you need to have played in the NHL, ECHL, or AHL. This is to keep various hockey players, like my dad, from coming over to take away positions from mediocre British players who would eventually be chased out by foreign nationals. Dad agrees this is a good rule for the league especially when history shows what can happen to hockey development when countries eliminate these restrictions, i.e. Germany.
The Devils played against the Coventry Blades. Cardiff won in OT 3-2. The Cardiff arena is a classic old barn that probably seats a few thousand people. It is a great atmosphere and the Devils have a large cult following, even if not all the fans know all the rules!
Checkout the Devils' website at www.thecardiffdevils.com. Next time I am going, I don't care how late the game goes or how loud the arena is.
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