The Cardiff Devils are pleased to confirm the signing of former NHL defenceman Tyson Strachan.
Strachan joins the Devils after spending last season with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League, the top affiliate of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres.
The 6’3″ 210 lbs defender played 186 games in the NHL for the St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers, Buffalo Sabres and most recently for the Iowa Wild. He also played 404 games in the AHL.
Before turning pro, Strachan was a standout for 4 years at Ohio State University, winning a league title his first year with Ohio State. Prior to University, he played junior hockey in Vernon, BC with none other than current Devils’ Head Coach Andrew Lord.
“We are really pleased to get Tyson at this stage of the season,” said Lord. “He is a solid defenceman who has played at the top level in the world and I believe he will be a huge boost for us back on the blueline.”
“Fans can expect a rock solid D-man in Tyson. His teammates can expect a total pro, a great guy in the locker room and a leader out on the ice.”
The signing came through an NHL connection of owner Steve King who called about Strachan last week when the team was over in Sweden. The connection runs even deeper with Strachan’s agent and Devils’ Managing Director Todd Kelman, who played junior together in Vernon for the same organisation that Lord and Strachan played for years later.
Lord stated: “We have hit some injury trouble, so this signing comes at a very crucial time for us. We have a massive weekend coming up with games against Sheffield and Nottingham. We expect to have Tyson in the lineup for both games this weekend.”
Strachan will wear number 25 for the Devils and is expected to land in Cardiff on Thursday.
