Ice Hockey: Cash boost for Devils

Jan 10 2008 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail

CASH-STRAPPED Cardiff Devils have at last had some good news during a season rocked by injuries, suspension and financial problems.

Ice hockey fans John and Emma Ions have stepped forward to rescue this season with a sponsorship deal through their Cardiff-based company, PT Maintenance.

“This is fantastic news,” said Devils general manager Brent Pope. “John and Emma have put a smile on the faces of everybody connected with the Devils – players, staff and supporters.

“This sponsorship means the Devils will finish the season. There are no doubts about that now, none at all.

“It has been a terrible week for the Devils and when the players were told they would have to take a 10 per cent pay cut across the board it came as a big shock.

“We were in danger of losing players because the future of Cardiff Devils was in jeopardy, but now we can all breathe easy again.

“Every player is staying with the Devils. There is still work to be done, but it is certain the Devils will carry on until the end of the season and beyond.”

The Ions family are Devils fans who read about the club’s financial plight on icWales.co.uk – and decided to act.

Their company, PT Maintenance, will be the main sponsors and the company logo will be on Devils’ shirts from Saturday, January 19, when Cardiff play Elite League leaders Coventry Blaze.

“Our business is property maintenance and landscaping,” said John Ions, who also runs J and K Tool Hire from the same business address at Unit 16, The Timberyard, Eastmoores, Cardiff.

Cardiff Devils hit problems after a major sponsorship deal agreed at the start of the season – said at the time to be the “biggest in the history of the club” – failed to materialise.

That deal was worth more than £30,000, but only £5,000 was paid.

Emma Ions has been watching the Devils for six years and says, “I was hooked from the first game, but it took another year for John to come down.

“Now we come as a family – and it’s a great night out. Ice hockey is a family sport and the rink is an entirely safe environment.”

John and Emma go to matches with son James, 16, and daughter Katie, 10. Older sons Richard, 20, and Mark, 19, also attend matches occasionally.

“When I read about the problems I suddenly thought, ‘What on earth would we do at weekends without the Devils?’ And I couldn’t let anything happen to the team,” said John. “Now we can all look forward – and Cardiff have a team who have a real chance in the play-offs.”

There was more good news for Devils when Phil Hill came through a full training session and is ready to return this weekend after six weeks out with a knee injury.

“It’s been agony sitting out while the other guys played, so frustrating,” said Cardiff-born Hill. “The league title will be difficult to win now, but we showed what could be achieved when we went top of the table.

“And there is no reason we cannot win the play-offs. We have outstanding players – and we are gradually coming back together as injuries clear up.”

The Devils play Nottingham away on Saturday and then Belfast Giants at home on Sunday (6pm).

Cardiff have netminder Phil Osaer, Paul Sample, Mike Prpich, player-coach Gerad Adams and goalie Joe Myers out injured plus Brad Voth suspended.

Ticket informationis available from the Cardiff Bay rink box office on Cardiff 029 2038 2001