Post by GuinnessMan on Feb 4, 2012 8:26:38 GMT
www.cardiffdevils.com/news/brad-voth-retires/
Brad Voth retires
Voth Retires
It is with great sadness that The Cardiff Devils today announce the retirement of Brad Voth.
The 6’ 5” Calgary native joined the Devils in 2005 and has played his entire EIHL career in South Wales despite often being courted by opposing teams. His intensely physical style of play coupled with renowned toughness made him a game-changer; the most feared and intimidating player in the League with hands hard enough for a knockout blow and soft enough for 20 or more goals in a season. Voth has won the Knockout cup with the Devils, appeared in the playoff finals every year of his time with the Club and was part of the Devils side that won the Challenge Cup in 2006 in what has been called the greatest game ever seen in the Wales National Ice Rink.
His career began with the Medicine Hat Tigers in 1996 and saw him play two stints in the AHL before joining the Devils from the Texas Wildcatters.
For the past few years ‘Vother’ has been working toward a life and career after hockey, with the Fire Service (a popular choice among the Hockey fraternity) his chosen path when he finished his time on the ice.
In fact it was a great surprise that Voth re-signed for the 2011-12 season with the Devils for one more year, as many believed he would retire before this campaign. The towering winger had rolled back the years and was skating, hitting and punishing opposition players as well as any previous season.
Voth sustained a nerve injury in a game vs Belfast at the end of 2011 and sat out for several weeks. He dressed against Belfast on 23rd Jan but did not play. Both he and his Coach Gerad Adams had hoped he would make his return in the Challenge Cup semi-final (2nd leg) in Belfast tonight but it was not to be.
As always in Sport, timing is everything. Whilst the injury is not serious enough to threaten Voth’s health and future options, playing on through the pain could see him exacerbate the problem and for the former Captain of the Devils, a decision that safeguards his future options was forced upon him.
This is devastating news to all: Brad himself, the Devils organisation and our Red Army of fans, who will have their last chance to bid farewell to their hero this Sunday 5th Feb in the match against Braehead. Voth will not of course be playing, but will be in attendance at the Big Blue Tent where he will no doubt receive the thunderous ovation he deserves, one last time.
Brad Voth has made an indelible impression on the Club during his time with us. He has been the face, the spirit and the heart of the Devils and our fans have loved him for that.
Sunday will be ‘Brad Voth night’ at the BBT, and whilst we hate to lose him, especially like this, everyone involved at The Cardiff Devils wish Brad the very best for the future and thank him for his remarkable contribution to our history.
Brad Voth retires
Voth Retires
It is with great sadness that The Cardiff Devils today announce the retirement of Brad Voth.
The 6’ 5” Calgary native joined the Devils in 2005 and has played his entire EIHL career in South Wales despite often being courted by opposing teams. His intensely physical style of play coupled with renowned toughness made him a game-changer; the most feared and intimidating player in the League with hands hard enough for a knockout blow and soft enough for 20 or more goals in a season. Voth has won the Knockout cup with the Devils, appeared in the playoff finals every year of his time with the Club and was part of the Devils side that won the Challenge Cup in 2006 in what has been called the greatest game ever seen in the Wales National Ice Rink.
His career began with the Medicine Hat Tigers in 1996 and saw him play two stints in the AHL before joining the Devils from the Texas Wildcatters.
For the past few years ‘Vother’ has been working toward a life and career after hockey, with the Fire Service (a popular choice among the Hockey fraternity) his chosen path when he finished his time on the ice.
In fact it was a great surprise that Voth re-signed for the 2011-12 season with the Devils for one more year, as many believed he would retire before this campaign. The towering winger had rolled back the years and was skating, hitting and punishing opposition players as well as any previous season.
Voth sustained a nerve injury in a game vs Belfast at the end of 2011 and sat out for several weeks. He dressed against Belfast on 23rd Jan but did not play. Both he and his Coach Gerad Adams had hoped he would make his return in the Challenge Cup semi-final (2nd leg) in Belfast tonight but it was not to be.
As always in Sport, timing is everything. Whilst the injury is not serious enough to threaten Voth’s health and future options, playing on through the pain could see him exacerbate the problem and for the former Captain of the Devils, a decision that safeguards his future options was forced upon him.
This is devastating news to all: Brad himself, the Devils organisation and our Red Army of fans, who will have their last chance to bid farewell to their hero this Sunday 5th Feb in the match against Braehead. Voth will not of course be playing, but will be in attendance at the Big Blue Tent where he will no doubt receive the thunderous ovation he deserves, one last time.
Brad Voth has made an indelible impression on the Club during his time with us. He has been the face, the spirit and the heart of the Devils and our fans have loved him for that.
Sunday will be ‘Brad Voth night’ at the BBT, and whilst we hate to lose him, especially like this, everyone involved at The Cardiff Devils wish Brad the very best for the future and thank him for his remarkable contribution to our history.
