John Lawless

John Lawless is quite simply the Father of the Cardiff Devils, and the 'biggest' of all the retired jerseys at the Club.

Though diminuitive in stature his charisma, drive and ability were the measure of anyone in the game and he used these to make the Devils the powerhouse of the Heineken era. On the ice and off he led the Devils, famously stepping out of retirement several times to help the team, and his legendary goal celebration of 'shooting the clock' is the most iconic sight in Devils history.

Lawless was in charge when each of our retired jersey players were signed or developed, and his passion for junior development saw the likes of Nicky Chinn, Neil Francis, Stevie Lyle and Jason Stone – among others – find their place on the Devils roster.

The 'Weasel' (so named for his unlimited ability to agitate the opposition) has returned to Cardiff many times since he left to manage the newly formed Manchester Storm. He has played in testimonial and legends games, and rightly receives the greatest ovation of all when he takes to the ice.