Josh Batch Message to the Fans

Hey Devils fans,

It’s with a heavy heart that I write this, but I’ve made the decision that the time has come for me to step away from the team after this season ends.

When I came to Cardiff as a 20-year-old, I never would have imagined spending so many years with the team - but here we are, 13 seasons later.

There have been so many special moments over the years - lifting the first Challenge Cup, the back-to-back league titles, and of course the playoff trophies - but it truly is the people I’ve met along the way who have made my time here so special.  From teammates to coaches, staff, owners, and of course the fans, I’ve been lucky enough to make friends who will be a part of my life forever.To say what the club means to me is difficult to put into words.  Being a Cardiff Devil is as much a part of me as my name or where I was born - it’s been a central part of my identity for the majority of my adult life.  Every major milestone in my life has happened in Wales: buying a home, proposing to my wife, getting married, and of course, the birth of our son, Harrison.​​​​​​​

These are memories you carry for a lifetime, and for that reason, Cardiff - and the Devils - will always be in my heart.

My decision has come over the course of the season, as I’ve reflected on my family’s future and ultimately what would be best for us in the long term.  As a professional athlete, there has always been a lingering anxiety about life after sport, and I’m at the point now where I feel the opportunity cost of continuing to play is outweighed by the potential opportunities that lie ahead outside of the game.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Coming to terms with this decision over the past few weeks has been difficult.  With our roster situation this year, I haven’t known when I’d play my final game at the Vindico Arena, and Friday night, I was holding back tears on several occasions - wondering if it was my last drive to the arena, the last time I’d see my son smile at me through the glass during warm-up, the last time I’d pull on the jersey, or the last time I’d hear the national anthem.

I can’t thank you all enough for the support and belief you’ve given me along the way - that includes teammates, coaches, owners, and of course, the fans.

We’ve still got something to play for this season so I hope we can finish the season, and my time as a Devil, on a high, and celebrate together one last time.

I knew this moment would come eventually, but it doesn’t make saying goodbye any easier.

Thank you for everything.

Josh Batch​​​​​​​