Behind the Bench with Neil Francis

Behind the Bench Episode 23 - Part 2 - The Definitive Great Devils team of all time - first decade EIHL and New Era

The Votes are in, the people have spoken, and we have our Cardiff Devils Greatest Team of all time.

 

We asked the fans to vote for their starting line from 4 Devils eras, and now the final votes are in, its time here on Behind the Bench to delve into the careers of the winners and explain what makes them great.

This episode will cover the First 10 years of the EIHL era, and the New Era under the Canadian Consortium. In this Episode:

- JD talks Voth's omission from his team

- all things G and Franny

- some Andrew Lord Secrets.

 

And so so much more.

Behind the bench Episode 23 Part 1 - The Definitive Great Devils team of all time -- First Decade and Super league

The Votes are in, the people have spoken, and we have our Cardiff Devils Greatest Team of all time.

 

We asked the fans to vote for thier starting line from 4 Devils eras, and now the final votes are in, its time here on Behind the Bench to delve into the careers of the winners and explain what makes them great. 

This episode we will be looking at the First decade of Devils hockey and the Super league years! 

In this Episode:

 

- we find out who was responsible for the nickname Franny

 

- we meet the new Lemiuex and Gretzky

 

- John Tells us delves into Stephen coopers worst moments.

 

- its just general celebration of all good things Devils.

Behind the Bench Episode 22 - The Greatest Devils team of all time

WE ARE NAMING THE 'ALL TIME' GREATEST CARDIFF DEVILS TEAM AND WE NEED YOUR HELP.

The 2020-21 season that never happened would have been our 35^th Anniversary season, which means the 2021-22 season IS OUR 35^th ANNIVERSARY SEASON.

To celebrate our first 35 years, we are naming the “All-Time Devils Team” but we are doing it era by era.  Keep reading, and try to follow along as we explain the way we are going to do this.

You can vote for 6 players (1 goalie, 2 defenceman, 3 forwards) from each of these eras:

The first decade – 1986-87 to 1995-96

The Superleague – 1996-97 to 2002-03

The EIHL first decade – 2003-04 to 2013-14

The EIHL new era – 2014-15 to present

To be selected to the all-time team, a player must meet both of the following qualifications:

1) He must have played for the Devils for at least 3 seasons;

2) He must have won at least one major title as a Devil or been on the world record setting team from 2010-11 season.

Each era will have 1 goalie, 2 defenceman and 3 forwards selected. So the All-time Devils team will be 4 goalies, 8 defenceman, 12 forwards.  We will also name 2 coaches to the All-time Devils team.

 

 

The Nominees will be announced during this episode, so listen now to see if your favourite has made the Final cut! 

Behind the Bench Episode 21 - No Filler with Killer

Whether you have sat in the Bar to listen to a Q&A or watched one of his many interviews on the Cardiff Devils YouTube Channel, one thing is for sure, Todd Kelman is a man who loves to spin a yarn.

And todays episode is no different, other than, we take Todd away from Cardiff, learning about his upbringing in Hockey, His time at College and his journey and stay in the UK Hockey Scene

In this Episode:

 

- The Story behind Frank King and the Calgary Olympics

- Getting A Zamboni home

- Haunted Houses in Bracknell

- Becoming Team mates with a Stanley Cup champion.

 

And a whole whole lot more on Behind the Bench with Neil Francis. 

Behind the Bench Episode 20 - Chirping with Vez

Hot off the Heels of the glorious return of the podcast, we have a bonafide Devils Legend sitting behind the bench with us today, the one and only Vezio Sacratini.

 

Vez as he was affectionately known is one of British Ice Hockey's most recognisable figures, making Cardiff his home for over a decade Vez tells us his journey before arriving, and his unique tale about how he came to stay in the Welsh Capital.

 

In this episode!

 

- How an Italian household runs itself in Canada

- Being an Olympian

- In the land of the Giants in Cardiff

- Will One Punch identity be revealed? 

 

All this and whole lot more on Behind the Bench! 

Episode 19 - Conversations with the Coach - The Jarrod Skalde Adventure

We are back! and we mean business. Behind the Bench with Neil Francis continues are open door to guests for them to step behind the bench and tell their stories.

 

And what a set of stories we have, from the newly installed Cardiff Devils coach Jarrod Skalde. Skalds has played for some of the most famous NHL teams and had one of the most unique hockey journeys, and he doesnt hold back in telling his tale.

In this episode 

 

- Tales of Eric Lindros

 

- What really happened the weekend Skalde was drafted

 

- How do you navigate being claimed on Waivers 5 times in 5 months, with a pregnant wife? Skalde will show you how

 

- And New Team member on board! Welcome to Producer Hubbs.

 

All this and so much more on Behind the Bench with Neil Francis. 

Behind the Bench Episode 18 - 'A horrible group of Men' the 14/15 Challenge cup winners

In a week where Andrew Lord announced he will be leaving the Cardiff Devils, we talk to him and his team that started it all for the Devils New Era as we go back to re live the victory of the 2014-2015 Challenge cup winning team.

 

Bringing together almost the entire roster from Captain Tyson Marsh to Devils Legend Jake Morrissette to Devils GM Todd Kelman we re live how the roster came together, the journey through the Challenge Cup to the victorious win at the final.

In this episode 

- Big Blue Tent Memories

- Hotel Bills 

- Todd Kelmans sheffield arena ban.

- Carl Hudsons fake thumb

 

And so so much more. 

Behind the Bench Episode 17 - The Rise and Rise of Joey Haddad

It's a Behind the Bench first as we sit down with current Devil Joey Haddad. 

 

We go through Joey's Junior and Pro career to find out the story about what made the player you see today on the Ice at the Viola arena, the set backs and triumphs and of course the stories!

In this episode:

 

- The Haddad - Culligan Connection

- Joey's first encounter playing with Andrew Lord in north America

- Brent Walton vs a Table

- Joey's first trip to the BBT

 

and so so much more. 

Behind the Bench Episode 16 - The class of 89/90

If you've started following the Devils since Day 1, or you have only recently stepped foot in the Viola Arena, there is a fair chance you have heard of the 1990 playoff final.

Transcending hockey, this final went all the way to penalty shots, pushing back the Snooker coverage on BBC as an entire nation was glued to its television, to see who would come out victirious, would it be Murrayfield led by the best British player of his generation in Tony Hand? 

Or would the Cardiff Devils do the impossible and win the playoffs to go along with their League title in their very first year of being promoted to the top divsion.

In the paraphrased immortal words of Barry Davis - You don't need me to tell you, the Cardiff Devils were victorious. 

This episode covers the story of that win, from the men who were there. You will hear from: 

Jeff Smith Jason wood John burnicle Stephen Cooper Shannon hope Archie nelson Nicky Chinn Ian Cooper Paul farmer John lawless Doug McEwen Steve Moria Robbie Morris Brian Wilkie Brian Kanewischer

 As they relive one of the greatest moments in Cardiff Devils history. 

 you won't want to miss this one. 

 

This podcast is sponsored by the Ice Hockey players Benevolent fund, a charitible organisation that looks to give financial relief to any player, coach or official who is unable to earn a living due to illness or injury.

 

There's a raffle currently running to win a Patrick Kane Signed Jersey, all of the details and to buy your tickets, please go to: https://raffall.com/15484/enter-raffle-to-win-patrick-kane-blackhawk-jersey-hosted-by-ihpbf-ihpbf 

Behind the Bench Episode 15 - Wally in Cardiff

Part 1 of our Brent Walton Episode was record breaking, the highest listened to show we have put out yet, and guess what? we have even more for you! 

This part is all about Walton in Cardiff, we go through all of his favorite Cardiff Stories, and finish where we started at Walton 

In this Episode:

Wally vs Steeler Dan

The story of the talk between Todd and Brent about retirement.

The full story of how he came to be shirtless in the standing section.

his favorite pre game talks. and lots lots more