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#1
It has been brought to my attention that there are rumours circulating as to what happened to me after the season and the status of my education. I am here to set the record straight and present the facts as best I know; you are entitled to read this transcript and form your own opinions of myself and more importantly the Cardiff Devils organization.
I was released from the team one week before Christmas after what I was told was due to “financial reasons”. Another player was brought in my stead and this decision seemed odd to me since they released me due to money issues. I then went home for the holidays since I had no place to live with the intention of returning the first week of January to finish exams. I returned, took and passed my exams and then was asked to come back to the team a week later and take a 50% pay cut. I had no choice but to take the offer since I was sticking with my University coursework. I came back to play and played a key defensive role in getting the team to the EIHL finals. I never received and apology from anyone with the Devils and spent a week on the floor of Hartwick and Millers apartment.
After the season, I went on vacation to Spain, Italy, and Greece from April 9th to the 29th well within my visa expiration date which was May 15th. Several times before it expired I sought help from the team because after research on UK immigration I did not receive any definitive answers. I also knew the team was responsible for my visa extension since school was part of the deal until September. I was advised by the front office to leave the country and let my visa expire and try to re-enter as a “visitor”. This was the solution to applying for a visa extension which I could have done but would have cost the team money. I went to Dublin, Ireland on May 15th and returned to Cardiff on the 16th only to be detained and told I had one week to leave the UK. Then I was forced to leave the UK on May 21st, and returned to the US.
I should also mention that I brought my visa expiration date issue up to the Devils multiple times and was told not to worry about it. I have email proof that they intended not to handle my visa extension and that they were responsible. I am under the impression that to save money they expected us imports in the school program to remain in the UK illegally and hope not to get caught. Jarvis and Hartwick had the same issues, but my schooling went until September whereas theirs went until the end of May or early June.
On my return to the US I learned that I needed to apply to finish my MBA next May and June. On top of that I left on May 21st and just received my belongings on August 9th, which the Devils were in charge of shipping to me since I couldn’t re-enter the country and collect my personal belongings. Part of the reason it took so long is that they “shipped” my things on a ship across the Atlantic and had an unpaid debt with this company which they took their time paying while my things were being held ransom until this debt was cleared up.
At this point I am beyond upset with this organization, who still owes me money for changing of flights, baggage, etc, which adds up to anywhere from $800 to 2,000. I am just stating the facts of what happened to me so that you the fans can form your own opinions and decide whether or not this is an organization you would like to do business with. I certainly will never deal with the Devils!
P.S. – I have been told that “ your arrangement with the old ownership does not transfer”. Which means that I will have to pay, out of my own pockets, to come back to finish classes, secure a place to live, and get transportation. All of this should be taken care of by the Devils as stated in my contract.
I was released from the team one week before Christmas after what I was told was due to “financial reasons”. Another player was brought in my stead and this decision seemed odd to me since they released me due to money issues. I then went home for the holidays since I had no place to live with the intention of returning the first week of January to finish exams. I returned, took and passed my exams and then was asked to come back to the team a week later and take a 50% pay cut. I had no choice but to take the offer since I was sticking with my University coursework. I came back to play and played a key defensive role in getting the team to the EIHL finals. I never received and apology from anyone with the Devils and spent a week on the floor of Hartwick and Millers apartment.
After the season, I went on vacation to Spain, Italy, and Greece from April 9th to the 29th well within my visa expiration date which was May 15th. Several times before it expired I sought help from the team because after research on UK immigration I did not receive any definitive answers. I also knew the team was responsible for my visa extension since school was part of the deal until September. I was advised by the front office to leave the country and let my visa expire and try to re-enter as a “visitor”. This was the solution to applying for a visa extension which I could have done but would have cost the team money. I went to Dublin, Ireland on May 15th and returned to Cardiff on the 16th only to be detained and told I had one week to leave the UK. Then I was forced to leave the UK on May 21st, and returned to the US.
I should also mention that I brought my visa expiration date issue up to the Devils multiple times and was told not to worry about it. I have email proof that they intended not to handle my visa extension and that they were responsible. I am under the impression that to save money they expected us imports in the school program to remain in the UK illegally and hope not to get caught. Jarvis and Hartwick had the same issues, but my schooling went until September whereas theirs went until the end of May or early June.
On my return to the US I learned that I needed to apply to finish my MBA next May and June. On top of that I left on May 21st and just received my belongings on August 9th, which the Devils were in charge of shipping to me since I couldn’t re-enter the country and collect my personal belongings. Part of the reason it took so long is that they “shipped” my things on a ship across the Atlantic and had an unpaid debt with this company which they took their time paying while my things were being held ransom until this debt was cleared up.
At this point I am beyond upset with this organization, who still owes me money for changing of flights, baggage, etc, which adds up to anywhere from $800 to 2,000. I am just stating the facts of what happened to me so that you the fans can form your own opinions and decide whether or not this is an organization you would like to do business with. I certainly will never deal with the Devils!
P.S. – I have been told that “ your arrangement with the old ownership does not transfer”. Which means that I will have to pay, out of my own pockets, to come back to finish classes, secure a place to live, and get transportation. All of this should be taken care of by the Devils as stated in my contract.
when it is really should be a matter between employer/employee.