Thursday, June 2, 2022

Vipers/Lakers Alumni Brandt, Sanford, Kelman-Devils Win British Elite League Championship:

Former Vernon Vipers forwards Riley Brandt & Cole

Sanford along with former Vernon Lakers defence man Todd Kelman and the British Elite Ice Hockey League Cardiff Devils defeated the Belfast Giants 6-3 May 1st 2022 to win the 2021-22 Elite League Playoff Championship.

Here is the story from the British Ice Hockey League website,

https://www.britishicehockey.co.uk/post/cardiff-devils-stun-belfast-giants-claim-elite-league-playoff-title/

Here is the press release from the Cardiff Devils website,

https://www.cardiffdevils.com/news/devils-win-playoff-championshi/

Brandt is in his first season with the Cardiff Devils. The Devils signed Brandt January 15th 2022. In 27 games with the Devils, Brandt collected (2-goals-2-assists-4-points).

Brandt played the past five seasons between Royal Military College & Grant MacEwan University from 2017-2022. Brandt spent the first three seasons at Royal Military College before committing to Grant MacEwan University in 2020. Brandt spent two years at Grant MacEwan University from 2020-2022 before signing with the Devils.

Brandt played three seasons in Vernon from 2014-2017. In 140 games with the Vipers, Brandt collected (38-goals-33-assists-71-points). Brandt was captain of the 2016-17 Vernon Vipers in his final year of Junior hockey.

Riley Brandt's Player Profile:

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/153222/riley-brandt

Sanford is in his first season with the Cardiff Devils. The Devils signed Sanford July 16th 2021. In 51 games with the Devils, Sanford collected (22-goals-25-assists-47-points).

Sanford played last season in the ECHL with the Florida Everblades. In 19 games with the Everblades, Sanford collected (3-goals-6-assists-9-points). Sanford was suspended and removed from the Everblades roster June 1st 2021.

Sanford played four seasons at the University of Alberta before signing a professional contract with the ECHL Florida Everblades February 1st 2021.

Sanford played four years in the Western Hockey League with Medicine Hat & Regina from 2012-2016 before signing his first professional contract with the ECHL Colorado Eagles in 2016. Sanford played 19 games with the Eagles before committing to the University of Alberta in 2016.

Sanford was an affiliated player with the 2011-12 Vernon Vipers. Sanford went pointless in 8 games with the Vipers before joining the Western Hockey League Medicine Hat Tigers for the 2012-13 season.

Cole Sanford's Player Profile:

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/101594/cole-sanford

Kelman is in his eighth season with the Cardiff Devils as General Manager & Franchise Owner.

Kelman played four seasons at Bowling Green State University from 1993-1997 before signing his first professional contract with the BISL Bracknell Bees in 1997. The Bees are a professional ice hockey team from Bracknell, Berkshire, UK. 

Kelman played three seasons with the Bracknell Bees before signing a professional contract with the Elite Ice Hockey League Belfast Giants. The Giants are a professional ice hockey team from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Kelman played eight seasons with the Giants from 2000-2008 before retiring from professional hockey in 2008. Kelman stayed with the Giants as General Manager from 2007-2014. Kelman left the Giants in 2014 to join the Cardiff Devils, as a Franchise Owner and General Manager.

Kelman was drafted Round 6 141st overall by the St. Louis Blues at the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. Kelman never played a game in the NHL or with the Blues.

Kelman played one season in Vernon with the 1992-93 Vernon Lakers. In 48 games with the Lakers, Kelman collected (16-goals-30-assists-46-points).

Todd Kelman’s Player Profile:

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/64909/todd-kelman

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