MATTHEW Myers – one of Nottingham Panthers' grand slam winning heroes – is heading back to Wales.
The 28-year-old Cardiff-born centreman, who married his long-time girlfriend Nyree this afternoon, is joining his hometown Devils after eight seasons with Panthers.
But the news of one Brit leaving was tempered by the announcement that Jonathan Weaver – who enjoyed a stellar first season with Panthers – is returning.
And the re-signing of the veteran GB defenceman is great news for coach Corey Neilson who sees Weaver as vital to his assault on retaining all three of the trophies the former Coventry man helped them win last season, including hitting one of the goals in the play-off final against Belfast.
It was no secret that Myers planned to return home; it was just a matter of when. And Neilson has already been deep in talks with possible replacements.
Myers first came to Nottingham to study at Trent University, to become a chartered surveyor.
He then went on to have a building business with former Panthers team-mate Danny Meyers, but they split up before Christmas.
And part of Myers' deal with the Devils sees his company name – 'Myers Building and Property Maintenance' – appearing on the team shorts.
He joined Panthers as a raw 19-year-old in 2004 and, apart from a season in the North American ECHL, has been here ever since.
During his time with Panthers, they have won ten major titles – the Challenge Cup five times, the Play-offs Championship four times and sealed a first grand slam when they added the league title to their trophy haul in March.
Myers said: "I've been in Nottingham over a third of my life. It's been a lot of fun and I've enjoyed myself, so that's why I've been here for so long.
"I've had a good off-ice life too, and then after I finished Uni, there was the building work, as well.
"The nice thing is that Panthers have been there or thereabouts winning things practically every season.
"But regardless of winning or losing we've always had a good group at the club.
"The city has given me a lot of good things, especially on the ice, but I knew it was a good organisation, which is why I came in the first place.
"So you can see why it took a long time to decide.
"It really has been a difficult decision to leave a team and a city that has played such a big part in my life.
"But I suppose it is not so hard to leave now I've won everything with the Panthers, in this league anyway.
"We'd won the other trophies many times over but never the league so, yes, winning all three, the grand slam, was special, so it's easier in some respects.
"I've left on very good terms with Corey and Gary (GM Moran) both saying the door is open if I want to return.
"My future now is in Cardiff but you never know what may happen down the line."