Defenceman returns to Cardiff after two seasons away
Pictured above: Jardine in action against the Fife Flyers in 2019-20 (photo Rebecca Brain)
Sam Jardine is a Cardiff Devil. Again.
The 28 year old defenceman who first played in Cardiff in the 2019-20 season is back after Covid sent him to other leagues around the world for two years.
Jardine had a stellar first year with the Devils in 2019-20, finishing with 6 goals and 13 assists in 57 games before the season was called off due to Covid in March 2020. He signed back for the 2020-21 season, but when the start was continually delayed, and then eventually called off, he joined former Devils Head Coach Andrew Lord in Greenville for the 2020-21 season.
Pictured above: Jardine carries the puck up the ice at Ice Arena Wals (photo Rebecca Brain)
That year he led his team in assists as he quarterbacked the Swamp Rabbits powerplay, leading to a 44 point season (3 goals and 41 assists) in 67 games. He was selected onto the ECHL’s First All-Star Team, which led to a number of top European clubs offering him a contract for the following season.
He settled on Bratislava Capitals in the IceHL, but their season was cut short when the team ceased operations just 14 games into the 2021-22 campaign. He was quickly snatched up by HIFK in Finland, playing in the Liiga, Finland’s top league and one of the best leagues in all of Europe. He played 21 games for HIFK, tallying 2 goals and 3 assists.
Pictured above: JArdine celebrates a goal with Joey Haddad and Joey Martin (photo Rebecca Brain)
Head Coach Brodie Dupont spoke about Sam Jardine:
“I thought getting Sam back in Cardiff was a long shot, but to be honest, there wasn’t much to discuss. He called us and wanted to come back. He explained how much he enjoyed Cardiff and just wanted to be in a place that he can have an impact and where he can have a chance to win.
“He has gone away from Cardiff and proven himself to be a top all-round defenceman. He was an All-Star in the ECHL and then spent the majority of last season in one of the most skilled leagues in the world.
Pictured above: JArdine in CHL action at the start of 2019-20 (photo James Assinder)
“I think the fans will see an even better version of Sam Jardine than they saw three seasons ago. I am pleased to have him on the blueline this year and I know he is very excited to be back.”
Before coming to Cardiff in 2019-20, Jardine won a Kelly Cup with the Newfoundland Growlers in the ECHL and split his time between there and the AHL. He played for Ohio State University for 3 seasons before turning pro in 2015-16 with the Rockford IceHogs. Jardine was a 6th round NHL draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2011.
He will wear number 18 this season for the Devils.
