Jamie Vanderveeken Joins the Cardiff Devils

Jamie Vanderveeken - Photo by Les Stockton

Wallaceburg’s Jamie Vanderveeken will be joining the Cardiff Devils of the British Elite Ice Hockey League. Vanderveeken had been playing in Italy this season with Fassa.

This was the second attempt the Devils have made at acquiring Vanderveeken to bolster their blueline, “We tried to bring Jamie to Cardiff a couple of seasons ago but that didn’t work out. When his name popped up I spoke to Paul (Ragan) (Team CEO) and with his support we have been able to make a great move to boost the team,” said Devils Head Coach Gerard Adams said on a release on the Devils website.

Vanderveeken will be joining the Cardiff Devils for a must-win Challenge Cup elimination game this Friday, a first game Bench Coach Neil Francis said will be no walk in the park,

“It’s a tough job to come straight into a new team, especially for such a big game, but Jamie is really fired up at the prospect and can’t wait to get going.”

The Cardiff Devils are hoping Vanderveeken’s heavy shot will be a valuable took on their powerplay.

“He will help us up front whilst playing a defensively responsible game. We will be looking to use that huge shot of his on the PP and give our opposition another factor to consider,” said Francis.

In 23 games this season with HC Fassa in Italy, Vanderveeken scored 3 goals and added 9 assists. Last season Vanderveeken split time between the Arizona Sundogs and Rapid City Rush of the Central Hockey League.

Vanderveeken is an alumni of the Wallaceburg Lakers and Chatham-Kent Cyclones.