Cardiff Fire are delighted to announce that Elis Sheppard will be returning to the line-up and will continue in his role as Player-Coach for the 2025/26 season and the 2026/27 seasons.
Elis joined the Fire Family from Slough Jets in 2015 as an 18 year-old, winning the league with Fire in his first two seasons and picking up young player of the year. In 2019 Elis was made captain of the Fire and started to work closely with the coaching staff. In 2021 Elis became player/assistant coach to Mark Cuddihy with Cuddihy handing over the head coach role to Elis for the 2022/23 season. The 2024/25 season saw Elis lead the team back into Division One and finish in the playoff places.
Director of Hockey Mark Cuddihy had this to say:
I am really pleased that Elis has agreed to stay on with the Fire for a further two seasons. When Elis took on full coaching responsibilities of the club, we agreed on a plan moving forwards to develop young talent within our club. Last season saw a new stage in that plan with our return to Division One. We set some targets for our return and in a really tough league, Elis and his players hit those targets.
The player progression over Elis’s last two seasons has been great, with some real improvements in not just the younger players, but the more experienced guys as well. I am delighted that we will get to continue to build the club together for at least the next two seasons.
Player-Coach Elis Sheppard said:
I am delighted to sign a two-year coaching extension. The trajectory of the club, along with the strong foundations off the ice are an exciting project that I am grateful to be part of.
Having led the team in our first season back in NIHL1 hockey, I feel I have a better understanding of the league and what is required to compete at this level.
It’s been a busy off season already, and I can’t wait to get back to work on the ice.
Everyone at the Cardiff Fire would like to give a warm welcome back to Coach Shep for another two seasons! #FireFamily
Photos by James Assinder
