Ice Hockey: Darling makes return

Jan 26 2008 by Terry Phillips, South Wales Echo

DION Darling is returning to Cardiff Devils for the rest of this season.

The 6ft 3ins defenceman, known as ‘The Daddy’, will fly in next Wednesday and will be in the Devils team for their Elite League home match against his former club Nottingham Panthers at the Cardiff Bay rink on Sunday, February 3.

Darling will add size, weight and stability on defence for the Devils, who will also have player-coach Gerad Adams and netminder Phil Osaer back from injury for the match against the Panthers.

The return of former Montreal Canadiens NHL draft pick Darling will allow Adams to play on the wing.

Darling is effectively replacing injured forward Mike Prpich, who is to have a second knee operation early in February and then return home to North America.

“We are delighted to bring Dion back to Cardiff,” said Adams.

“He has been playing senior hockey in Canada and training regularly.

“He is fit and ready to slot straight in against Nottingham.

“It’s fantastic news.

“We had high hopes of Mike Prpich when he came in, but it hasn’t worked out as we would have liked because of injury.

“But we will have talks with Mike about him coming back to Cardiff next season.”

Darling, 33, left Cardiff Devils at the end of last season.

He has also played for Nottingham and Sheffield Steelers in Elite League.

Edmonton-born Darling has had experience in Russian hockey for Omsk Avanguard, while in North America he has played for Long Beach Ice Dogs, Manitoba Moose, Wheeling Thunderbirds and AHL team Fredericton Canadiens.

This weekend, the Devils travel are at Manchester Phoenix tonight and at home to Sheffield Steelers tomorrow (6pm).

Defenceman Tyson Teplitsky is fit, having recovered from a hip injury, but Cardiff are still without first choice goalie Osaer.

Gregg Rockman comes in from Bracknell Bees this evening because his own team, who play in the English Premier League, are without a match.

Tomorrow against the Steelers it will be Joe Myers in goal for the Devils.

Brent Pope is likely to play in his last matches for the Devils, having come out of retirement to help the team through an injury crisis.

With Darling, Adams and Osaer all available against Nottingham, Devils’ only match of the weekend, Pope will be back as bench coach.