Hockey / DEVILS RE-SIGN RUTKIS ON TWO-WAY DEAL

DEVILS RE-SIGN RUTKIS ON TWO-WAY DEAL

Date:  Source: Elite Ice Hockey League

Cardiff Devils have re-signed forward Toms Rutkis ahead of the 2018/19 EIHL season.

The 20-year-old’s new deal comprises of a two-way agreement with NIHL side Swindon Wildcats, allowing Rutkis to return to the side he iced for from 2013 to 2017 before joining the Devils on a full-time basis during the second half of last season.

“Toms has had a great summer with us in the gym and on the ice,” said Devils Head Coach Andrew Lord.

“I think he is going to have a big year.  The plan is for him to start the season with us for pre-season games and the CHL but we want him getting as much ice as possible, so the likelihood is that he will play the majority of games for the Wildcats.

“The great thing about Swindon is they have a proven track record of developing young talent and we know he will get more ice time and hopefully continue to improve.

“Players need ice time to get better and we feel he is going to develop more with the Wildcats in games.  We still are going to have him training with us all week and he is living and going to school in Cardiff so it is a great fit.”