Hoping that Toms is getting plenty of ice-time at Swindon and will be ready to re-join the Devils next season. A recent article from the Devils suggested that this was the plan. It is important to continue developing potential as well as giving league-ready young players like Moore and Duggan the chances they deserve. Would love to see Toms as a full-time Devil in the next couple of seasons.
The progression players like Rutkis make (or rather, may not make) will be interesting to see over the next 3-4 years, as the next batch of brits to come through as legitimate top 9 players at present is almost non existent.
The EPIHL folding means players like Rutkis spend a year playing against 99% part time players bagging up points for fun in the NIHL.
The difference in caliber between EIHL & NIHL is SEISMIC, and frankly dangerous for any of these youngsters going to the 'next step'.
I'm going to get some stick for saying this, but Rutkis won't develop anything sitting in the NIHL.
Not to call out the difference in standard as i've never seen him play, or the individual, but there's a guy that weighs 322lbs playing there (23 stone).
What Sheffield have managed to do with Shudra is a better idea, loaning him to an EIHL team to 'develop', although how many shifts he sees there i couldn't answer.