Ben O’Connor released

[osh]

Not surprised to see him leave and don’t know - or wish to speculate why - he has at this time. However, we never saw anything here like the O’Connor who had been a very good Brit at club and International level in past years. It must have been difficult for him coming here, but full respect to him for doing so especially when he would know he was going to get a lot of stick irrespective of how he played. The very fact he came here and did his best ( no player goes out to play poorly despite what many on here have posted over the past months ) I wish him well and good luck wherever you go BO’C.

 

[CaldicotDevil]

Think that statement means a fallout with club or certain players..

Agreed, the fact the statement was so brief means it was a sudden thing. I think if the club had someone lined up then they would’ve written more than 2 sentences thanking BOC for his efforts.

Personally I’d be trying to get Jesse Craige, he was unreal at Guildford and currently without a club. Also Yann Sauve is just playing in the LNAH, if we can land him that’ll be an upgrade on McNulty.

 

[RedDevil17]

Just so happens fife are announcing a signing tonight at around 6pm. O’Connor perhaps?

 

[Slartibartfast]

Im sorry how it turned out but I think its the right decision. I was so pleased when we signed him because he was great when at his peak but he has been disappointing. When you keep making the same mistakes you aint going to be around long even in a club as nice as Cardiff. (Im assuming it was a club decision not BOCs). I guess any decision on a replacement will be left to after Monday when we will know if Drakeford has pissed on our season or not.

 

[terry hunt]

We do have Hendrikx on site i dont know how fit he is but he might do a temporary job.
Both the Hothams appear to be active or at least not reported as retired

 

[jenks33]

Brandon Magee is the Fife signing apparently. I can see O’Connor going back to the Steeldogs

 

[The_Stick_]

Tommi Jokinen (Panthers) also rumoured to be going to Fife

 

[moggy#9]

Shame that it never worked out. Very strange signing in the first place though in my opinion.

The thing is that the warning signs were there. Sheffield fans criticised him, and he'd previously been gased by a European club. The chl exposed him and once that happened it was obvious that other eihl clubs would look for his loose passes.

 

[ASHIPP]

How about a straight trade to Panthers for Myers! That would be a nice Xmas present!

Steelers had the best of BOC. Devils had the worst of him. A strange signing in the first place. A defensive liability I hate to say and makes it even more important that British players who are signed are performing well. Even Steelers fans had fallen out of love with his contribution.

Now, if we want a player who earns his keep..... when Panthers' Covid restrictions are over, Todd could play a blinder and bring Matthew Myers home where he belongs, at Cardiff Devils. A classy veteran who still 'has it' and knows how to boss the show. Oh, and make him Captain too.

 

[jenks33]

The thing is that the warning signs were there. Sheffield fans criticised him, and he'd previously been gased by a European club. The chl exposed him and once that happened it was obvious that other eihl clubs would look for his loose passes.

I’d have happily taken him 5 or 6 years ago. Not that we really needed him when we had Hotham, Fournier etc. I don’t think you need to be a hockey aficionado to see he started going downhill 2 or 3 years ago.

 

[voth26]

To be honest for me there's another Brit who hasn't performed that could go as well as a few imports

 

[Jones72]

He’ll probably be back here in Orange tomorrow night.

 

[kingmo19.1]

If the club has made the decision based on performances then I applaud them for being bold and dispensing with the ethos of holding onto all and sundry regardless, however, I’m hearing it might be based on some off ice shinanegans!

 

[kristian]

He wasn't in the line up for Wednesday game. So maybe not a rash decision.
Speculation but iam sure something been wrong in dressing room for a while maybe this was it?

 

[bateman1969]

If the club has made the decision based on performances then I applaud them for being bold and dispensing with the ethos of holding onto all and sundry regardless, however, I’m hearing it might be based on some off ice shinanegans!

It's easier to dispense somebody if there's been a misconduct issue rather than a subjective performance issue I guess.

 

[Sheincar]

It’s not the most gracious statement, particularly that last bit as you mention. I wonder if he’s just quit. Seems an odd turn of phrase that.

My gut feeling is that he's gone for non hockey reasons. The initial statement was very curt.

 

[jimmy snels]

Id imagine he was our highest paid Brit but certainly wasnt our highest performing.
I will say there are at least another Brit not doing anything of note as well as a number of imports. Id like to see us bring in a better D man, a bigger forward when bangs bodies and gets in front of the net and we need an actual top line centre. Appreciate we would need to change up our goal tending situation to make that happen in reality

Im hoping we have someone lined up. We've done well previously this kinda time of year so fingers crossed

 

[Wannabe2]

Unfortunately I can’t see too much happening at this moment in time, the future looks so bleak right now, maybe after Monday we will have a slightly clearer view, in one way, but it’s all in the hands of the gods.

 

[Diablo3]

Given the speed and quality of the notice, this is a personal issue rather than an on ice one. It does give us some options on what we do with the replacement. Do we get a decent centre or D given Lou will be back in a couple of weeks

 

[jimmy snels]

Unfortunately I can’t see too much happening at this moment in time, the future looks so bleak right now, maybe after Monday we will have a slightly clearer view, in one way, but it’s all in the hands of the gods.

Yeah get you mate, I can't see to much extra happening, maybe im wishing