Big signing....Rick Kozak signs straight from NHL contract

This time you did read it right. Philadelphia Flyers 3rd round pick in the 2003 NHL Draft, Rick Kozak, has signed for the Excel Hull Stingrays 08/09 EIHL season.

Kozak, who was contracted to the NHL New York Rangers, on a 3 year two way contract, until last year, signs straight from the Memphis Riverkings, where he was assigned by the Rangers, and will step straight into the Stingrays lineup as one of the most anticipated signings in Stingrays history.

Kozak doing what, some people believe, he does best for Memphis

Kozak is a notorious power forward who isn't afraid to drive to the net, fight, score goals or rough it up, a "complete player" Strachan says:

"He fits perfectly into the theme of the team" confirmed Strachan. "He had 200 penalty minutes last year, he's a big, physical guy and that can lead to the odd scrap. But there's the other side to him too as he knows where the net is. He's a complete hockey player."

It is certainly a signing unheard of in Stingrays history as this team looks like it will be rougher and tougher than ever. Kozak brings undoubted player ability as a draftee to the NHL, and that just 5 years ago, and whilst he has spent much of his time in the lower reaches of hockey, namely the ECHL and CHL, it has usually been his ocassional off ice blip and differences with coaches, mainly in Charlotte, ECHL, that have kept him from establishing himself as a real NHL prospect.

In fact a player that he has linked up with at WHL, with Prince Albert, and in AHL, with Hartford, has been the main catalyst for his relegation down the leagues. That name, Dane Byers, brother of former Stingray Cole. In junior with Prince Albert they formed a brilliant partnership as two, big power forwards. Byers was later drafted by the NHL organisation that Kozak was at, New York, and since then it has seen Byers rack up 40+ point seasons in the AHL whilst Kozak has been sent to Charlotte, ECHL, and Memphis/Mississippi, CHL.

It is guaranteed, like so many other players who will come for their first EIHL season, that their points production will increase three fold, sometimes more. This should most certainly be the fact with Kozak, with formerly NHL level talent and skating ability, he will challenge the scorers in the league but only if he ticks one box. Staying out of the penalty box, possibly a difficult task with a player that has 26 fights in 3 professional seasons. But perhaps that is the player he is and maybe he would'nt score as many goals if he did'nt have that style to his game. Only time will tell what role he takes on the team.



Below I have gathered some information from various sources about his drafting to the NHL, his NHL level talent and his chances of being an NHLer.

Initial signing for New York:

“Rick is an aggressive, gritty player who is very difficult to play against”, said Sather in making the announcement. “He showed great improvement throughout the season and played very well for Prince Albert in the playoffs. His combination of size, toughness and skill make him an excellent prospect for our organization.”

Rookie Rick Kozak, out three months with a thumb injury, scored a goal in his return Tuesday against Columbia. It was his first professional goal, and teammate Brandon Cullen corralled the puck as a souvenir for Kozak, a New York Rangers' farmhand.

"He's a big power winger that has ability to score some goals," Wilkinson said. "And he gets the ugly ones. Banging in a rebound in front the net, knocking a guy down going to the front of the net. ... Once he gets in better shape, he should be able to sustain that contact.

The official statement on why he was sent to the CHL:

"It was determined by the Rangers, Checkers and Rick that Charlotte was not the appropriate place for him to continue his career"

"Rick Kozak, one of the younger members of the 2003 draft class, got better and better as the season went along. Pointless and bad penalty prone in his first four games for Brandon after coming over from Prince George, he improved steadily thereafter and his solid playoff performance raised hopes that the aggressive rookie has only begun to tap his abilities. A relatively obscure player coming out Swan Valley in Manitoba Junior Hockey League, Kozak earned his keep in his first WHL season by throwing his weight around and going to the net; which earned him powerplay time for the Wheat Kings."

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/6083/flyers2003_nhl_entry_draft_review/

"A rough and ready forward, Kozak began his career with perhaps too much aggression, but has since learned to control it better. A willing combatant, Kozak is also not afraid of driving to the net and using the body to take or even receive hits. With above average skating and a solid top speed, his biggest drawback is his limited offensive ability, which will likely limit his potential to a third or fourth line grinding forward."

http://www.outsidethegarden.com/prospectprofile.asp?PID=80

And the Hull Daily Mail confirmed that there will be more signings next week "both imports and British players"

Certainly an exciting time to be a Stingrays fan.

Another Wednesday, another signing..

27 year old Matt Reynolds has decided to join the Excel Hull Stingrays for his 4th professional season after a career year in goals (19), assists (33) and points (52) with the Fort Wayne Comets of the IHL as they took the IHL playoffs, the Turner Cup, in 4 games against the Port Huron IceHawks.

Reynolds, who is 6 foot tall, joined the IceHawks last season after 2 seasons in the CHL with Rio Grande and Fort Worth Brahmas, and joined former Basingstoke netminer Nick Boucher on the IceHawks whilst he was joined mid season by PC Drouin who was sacked by, then, Panthers coach Mike Ellis.

Coach Rick Strachan had this to say of his new signing:

"Matt is a good player. He has great offensive capabilities, can play in both ends, he is a leader and he is also not afraid to get involved. He will be one of the guys who will be expected to contribute offensively and play on the powerplay which he is comfortable with."

Meanwhile Reynolds had this to say to BBC Humberside:

I've heard some good things about them. I hope I can do a good job for them and I’m looking forward to the challenge and playing overseas for the first time.

Although Reynolds has 20 professional fights to his name (see below) his main job will be joining Jeff Glowa in racking up the points next season for the Rays. And with 107 points in 123 games at college and 121 points in 197 games, so far, in his professional career along with extra ice time, it is expected he will flourish in the Elite League and in a Stingrays jersey.



Rick Strachan believes they will have the firepower up front for next season, something they lacked last season:

"You cannot rely on two or three guys to get you points, you need seven or eight contributing. If we can get those guys scoring 30-40 points it makes a huge difference"

With the Stingrays season preparations well under way it is now expected the Stingrays will make signing their two netminders for next season a priority. Stingrays co-owner Sue Pack is happy with the way pre-season has gone thus far:

"We have put a lot of effort into researching the players and we think we are building a team which will work together and that's 'grown up.' Mike, Strachs and I are delighted with the way our teambuilding is going.

Strachan eyes his netminders

Coach Rick Strachan has now confirmed he is closing in on his ideal choices to replace Ladislav Kudrna and Brit back up Tom Chamberlain between the posts.

Kudrna, as has already been confirmed, is joining Swindon Wildcats for the 2008/09 EPL season, however Strachan revealed in the Hull Daily Mail his reasons for not re-signing Chamberlain, who often looked a consistent EIHL backup:

"Tom's not coming back. It was a combination of him having a long distance to travel every day. It was getting very expensive to pay him a salary and get him to the rink. We are looking for someone else in the local area that can help us out."

Chamberlain leaving, along with Strachans comments, leaves the door wide open for a player from the very sucessful junior set up in Hull to make the step into the Elite League. The most obvious young, local netminders, who will presumably be cheap for Strachan to sign, are ENL Kingston Jet netminders Andrew Jaszczyk and Joshua Palmer. Jaszczyk recorded an 89.76% save percentage in 29 games as he allowed 113 goals from 1103 shots. Palmer, who would be the least likely of the two, recorded an 88% save percentage as he played 2 games allowing 3 goals from 25 shots. One thing to be noted is that Jaszczyk has backed up the Stingrays before.

The job to find a backup is somewhat easier than speculating on a number one netminder as Strachan may have cast his net far and wide to find the idea replacement for Kudrna. Although it is not Strachans style to go with an unknown netminder, as he has previously signed Hogberg, Raitanen, Bielik and Kudrna, all of which had experience in the UK before coming and all of which are European, he may be forced to look elsewhere this time.

There has been rumour of former Basingstoke, Newcastle and Nottingham netminder Curtis Cruickshank signing for the Rays, this would fit in with Strachans previous number ones, despite the fact the rest have been European. And as Cruickshank goes without a team speculation will only grow. Don't be suprised if he does sign for the Rays although his continual knee problem might have put off Strachan.

Cruikshank in action for Basingstoke.

A strong rumour points towards the return of Miroslav Bielik however given Strachans comments last pre season, about his reasons for not re-signing the Slovak, it would be a suprise for Stingray fans to see the injury prone netminder back in Hull.

Strachan finished by saying that, if the number one choice fell through, he does have other options which he likes:

"We have an offer out for someone. Hopefully we'll know within the week and we'll have someone signed. I'm confident, but confidence has nothing to do with it. I don't go round to their houses and put a gun to their heads and say 'you're signing for us', but I'm confident the guys we want will help us out. If he comes back we will have him, if not we will be looking for someone else."

"There are three or four keepers we have found that we like the look of."

6'3 defenceman signs.

6'3, according the hockey db, but actually 6'4, defenceman Stuart Kerr has signed for the Stingrays for the 2008/09 season after a season with the Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League. The defensive defenceman, who can also drop the gloves, from Cranbrook, Manitoba, follows in the wake of Jonathan Bernier, also from the CHL, who signed on Wednesday.

Kerr, who attended AHL training camp with Mancheter Monarchs in 2005 prior to 2 seasons in the ECHL, recorded 7 points in a career high 62 games with the Ice Bats along with 208 PIMs. As per this seasons theme Kerr dropped the mitts 12 times last season to go with his 6 fights in his 2 seasons and 77 games in the ECHL with Pensacola, Long Beach and Reading Royals, where he was sent down after his unsuccessful AHL training camp.

Kerrs fighting abilities stem back from his junior career in the notoriously rough Western Hockey League, where in 4 seasons with 3 teams he fought 52 times including a bout with NHL bound Dion Phaneuf, now with the Calgary Flames. Along the way in his ECHL career he also fought Newcastle bound Joel Irving.

Once again coach Rick Strachan has continued his "intimidating" mentality for the 2008-09 season however it is believed that Kerr possesses significant playing abilities, enough to obviously, to get him noticed in the AHL. Strachan will apparently allow Kerr to rack up minutes on the second line of defence and will rely on his playing abilities rather than his clear toughness. Although that clear toughness should come in useful.

Stingrays sign Jonathan Bernier (not that one!)

No, whilst the Stingrays do need a number one netminder, they have not pulled off the transfer of the EIHL summer by signing the LA Kings 11th overall pick of the 2006 draft, Jonathan Bernier.

They have, however, signed one of a triplet, from Beaufort City, Quebec, in 24 year old Jonathan Bernier who comes in from Central Hockey League side Wichita Thunder.
He becomes the first defenceman and third import out of 11 to sign for the Stingrays 2008/2009 EIHL campaign. 6'2 Bernier is, unsuprisingly considering Strachans comments to the Hull Daily Mail, a "bruising" defenceman who is known better for his intimidating style and big hits than his skating prowess or skill on the puck. However it is undoubted that Bernier will be one of the most physical defencemen that fans in Hull have ever seen, very much a physical presence on the blueline.

In his first professional season, with the Arizona Sundogs, Bernier recorded 5 assists and 226 PIMs as he played in all 64 games for the CHL team whilst this past season, which he split between Arizona and Wichita, he played in 56 games recording 3 goals and 1 assist.

Bernier, who will join the Stingrays for just his third professional season, has recorded a combined 3 goals, 6 assists and an astounding 448 penalty minutes mainly as a result of the 66 fighting majors he has accrued.

In those 66 fights he has fought a few familiar names to the UK; names like Ryan VandenBussche, Jeff Ewakso, Dennis Maxwell, Stingray target Adam Stefishen and Mike Prpich as well as former Stingrays enforcer Simon Rizk as a junior.

Coach Rick Strachan will hope that given increased ice time, and with a possible pairing on 2nd or 3rd line defence, that Bernier will be able to contribute both offensively, defensively and with his fists during his time with the Stingrays.

Bernier in action for Arizona in 2006-07.

What happened to....the 03/04 BNL team?

In this four part series I will look at what happened to players from the first four seasons of the Excel Hull Stingrays existence and where they are playing their hockey now.NOTE: In each part I will only feature players that played their final season for the Stingrays in the year I am focusing on.

In this part of the series I look at players from the Stingrays inaugural season in 2003-04.

2003/04

Position, Player Name (Last club, season)

G Pasi Raitanen (Sheffield Scimitars, 07/08): As one of the most liked goalies in British hockey history, Raitanen was brought in as the Stingrays first ever netminder but struggled in a team and organisation finding its feet. He was sacked mid season but has remained in Britain since, having short stints in Newcastle and Sheffield before signing for the Sheffield Scimitars of the EPL. He has been there for 3 seasons now posting a total of 116 appearances for the club and has never gone below the 900% mark for save percentage in a season.
03/04: 14GP 3.91 GAA 85.8% sv pct
Last season: 26 GP, 1 assist, 3.01 GAA, 90% sv pct

G Anders Hogberg (Dartmouth Destroyers, 05/06) :Hogberg replaced Pasi mid season in the Stingrays first season and well and truly cemented himself a fans favourite in a difficult first season. In the victories, which were few and far between, Hogberg was known to pirouette for the fans at the end of the game, an image that will be everlasting from the first season. Anders moved on to Swedish side Olofstroms IK in the Swedish Second division in 04/05 and Dartmouth Destroyers in the Canadian Elite Hockey League in 05/06. It seems since then he has retired from the game.
03/04: 20GP 3.07 GAA 90.5% sv pct
Last season: N/A

D Andy Munroe (Peterborough Phantoms, 07/08): Munroe was always a steady, stay at home defenceman for the Stingrays, and the Thunder before hand, and he has continued that trait throughout his hockey career. Since appearing for the Stingrays his hockey career has taken him to the Peterborough Phantoms of the EPL where he has been for 4 years now.
03/04: 36GP, 2 goals, 0 assists, 10 PIM
Last season: 40GP, 0 goals, 9 assists, 6 PIM

D Brent Pope (Cardiff Devils, 07/08): Pope began his one and only season with the Rays as one of the few players the fans had confidence in, at the end of the season this was turned on its head as he became one of the players who got fans pulling their hair out. After the Stingrays he made visits to Basingstoke and London in the EIHL before moving to the EPL in 05/06 with Sheffield, then Romford and Slough before pulling his British career full circle as he signed for Cardiff in 07/08, initially as bench coach then as player. He has now officially retired and has been assigned as General Manager in Cardiff.
03/04: 33GP, 4 goals, 15 assists, 122 PIM
Last season: 10 GP, 0 goals, 0 assists, 41 PIM

D Slava Timchenko (HK Gomel, 07/08): Timchenko was one of the few players to have come to the UK after playing in the Olympics. He came and went in one season without too much of hype but looking back was one of the most underrated players to have played in a Stingrays jersey. Since playing for the Rays he signed in Belarus with HK Gomel and has spent the last 4 years there whilst still playing for Team Ukraine at the World Championships. In 06/07 he had a particularly fruitful year in the Belarus league as he registered 10 goals and 20 assists in 40 games.
03/04: 31GP, 5 goals, 10 assists, 46 PIM
Last season: 29 GP, 0 goals, 5 assists, 42 PIM

Timchenko in action for Team Ukraine at the World Championships

F Michael Bowman (Slough Jets, 07/08): Bowman was, and still is, one of the hardest working and most consistent Brits that the Stingrays have had. During the 03/04 season he stapled this reputation with some solid, hardworking performances in the BNL. Since his season with the Stingrays he moved to the EPL, firstly with Sheffield, then Chelmsford and Peterborough in 04/05 before he moved to the Slough Jets, where he has been for the last 3 seasons, in which he has recorded 53 goals and 41 assists in 118 games.
03/04: 36GP, 3 goals, 7 assists, 8 PIM
Last season: 31 GP, 18 goals, 15 assists, 16 PIM

F Noel Burkitt (London Racers, 03/04): Burkitt was one of the fans least favourite players of, pretty much, all time and his axing was seen with much joy at the Hull Arena. Many a time he was likened to another effortless forward Dan Currie. After his sacking from the Rays he joined the London Racers in the Elite league before retiring back to Canada.
03/04: 15GP, 1 goals, 4 assists, 8 PIM
Last season: N/A

F Stephen Johnson (Hull Stingrays, 03/04): One of Hulls greatest ever servants, who played at the club for a total of 13 years, who came to call Hull home. After an understandably disappointing season in 03/04 he made the decision to retire from the game. With that came the news that the Stingrays would retire his #10 jersey and that his number would hang from the rafters. Never again will the #10 be seen on a Hull jersey.
03/04:15GP, 0 goals, 2 assists, 12 PIM
Last season: N/A

F Linus Schellin (Ferencváros TC, 07/08): Schellin was possibly one of Strachan’s biggest regrets and worst signings. After just 8 games with the Rays he had just 1 assist and showed the Stingrays nothing, he was promptly shown the door before finishing the season with ENL side Kingston Jets, where he scored 5 goals and 6 assists in 7 games . He then moved on to Moval in the Swedish Second division, playing 4 games, before moving to Hungary in 05/06, where he played a season each with Dunaújváros AC and Ferencváros TC. He continued to play with Ferencváros last season although his stats are unavailable.
03/04: 8GP, 0 goals, 1 assist, 4PIM
Last season: N/A

F Stuart Brittle (Sheffield Scimitars, 07/08): Brittle was another of the Stingrays first season regrets. He was initially signed up to Telford Tigers before they played the Stingrays in a challenge game pre-season, after which Strachan signed him up. He played the majority of games for the Stingrays but received little ice time and as such only scored 1 assist whilst failing to impress the fans. He, like many others, signed in the EPL, this time with Sheffield Scimitars where he still is. He has recorded 70 points for the Scims in the last 3 seasons with them.
03/04: 30GP, 0 goals, 1 assists, 2 PIM
Last season: 39 GP, 7 goals, 11 assists, 30 PIM.

Next time....the difficult second season 04/05

Its all change for 2008/09

Here is what is expected to happen to the players from the 2007/08 Excel Hull Stingrays squad, including players who played very bit parts (cough Garry Luini cough). It makes for very interesting reading, especially the number of actual outgoings, there is going to be a high turnover of players this summer.

Netminders

Ladislav Kudrna- As previously reported and confirmed "Ladi" has officially signed for Swindon Wildcats of the EPL.

Tom Chamberlain- Chamberlain is one of the few players who seem to have a question mark over their heads for next season his agents website, says he is as yet unsigned indicating that Strachan has yet to sign his backup netminder, whether it be Tom or someone else.

Defencemen

Bryce Thoma- Bryce retired from the game and has signed for his previous WHL side Red Deer Rebels as assistant coach.

Nikolai Ladygin- Ladygin is yet to be re-signed and there is little rumour as to his destination for next season. There are a number of possibilities, he could return to the EIHL with, or without, the Stingrays, although unlikely he could return to North America after spending his junior years there, or, he could return to the Ukraine or Europe where he is, of course, from. All seems up in the air at this minute.

Stevie Lee- Although it is yet to be officially confirmed young prospect Stevie Lee has signed for the Guildford Flames of the EPL.

Dave Phillips- Another official departure, Phillips signed for the Belfast Giants.

Garry Luini- Left the Stingrays without making an appearance, it now seems he either retired from playing after his injury or that his knee injury put him out for the season and he failed to return this season.

Luke Boothroyd- Boothroyd has signed for EIHL rivals Manchester Phoenix.

Troy Neumeier- Coach Rick Strachan has said that it is 90% certain that 38 year old Troy will take up a job in the "real world" and retire from the game.

Jani Virtanen- Will not return to the Stingrays and will most likely sign in Europe.

Forwards

Jake Riddle-Riddle seems set to either re-sign with the Excel Hull Stingrays or join the Newcastle Vipers. It is possible his brother, Troy Riddle, may follow him to whichever club he joins.

Rob Rankin- Rankin did in fact sign with the Newcastle Vipers and could join up with Riddle if he also joins.

Jeff Glowa- Glowa re-signed with the club last week and will play his 5th season with the Rays.

Lee Mitchell- Mitchell was the first player to put pen to paper and re-sign for the Stingrays.

Lee Esders- The has been little information on Esders however he could be one of Strachans few re-signings. Although Strachan did bench the youngster at the beggining of the season so many not re-sign the fan favourite, he may sign for an EPL side.

James Knight- It is known that Strachan is a big fan of Knight so he could be a shoe in as one of the re-signings.

Slava Koulikov- With him being based in Hull, it is expected that he will return for another season with the Stingrays

Cole Byers- Byers will not be re-signed by Rick Strachan after a series of injuries.

Sergiy Rublivsky- A definate non re-signing who failed to impress Rick Strachan despite his reported low wage.

Gerhard Gottfried- Gottfried left the Stingrays after a trial to join Zeltweg in the Austrian Nationalliga where he recorded 14 goals, 14 assists in 21 games. He is expected to stay in his homeland, Austria, for next season.

Paul Cabana- After leaving the Stingrays he joined ETC Crimmitshau in Germany for 4 games, recording 1+2 . He then moved to Finland where he has signed a contract until 2009 (with an option for 2010) after a sucessful first season in the Mestis division.

Marlon Joseph- Joseph was sacked by the Stingrays and finished the season in the SPHL with Richmond Renegades with 1 assist in 7 games. His ice hockey career looks like its coming to a premature end after just 2 pro seasons.

Brad Patterson- Patterson isn't expected back in the country after quitting the Stingrays late last season. He finished the season with the Youngstown Steelhounds where finished with 5 assists in 9 games. He will return to the CHL this season.

KEY
Returnee, Non Returnee, Unsure

Strachan has confirmed that at the moment there are only 4 returnees from last seasons squad, leaving, at the moment, just 2 spaces for 6 players who are yet to be re-signed and have yet to commit themselves to another club.

"It's only four at the moment (referring to the number of returnees). A couple of guys I wanted back 100 per cent look like they're retiring, a couple I wanted back have left, and others I wasn't really interested in."

So, with Koulikov thought to be one of those re-signings, it leaves just one space available. This could confirm that Riddle will be on his way to Newcaslte and that Ladygin will not be re-signed along with Brits Esders and Chamberlain, who is not yet signed according to his agents website. Leaving just James Knight to return with Koulikov?

I will post a blog later on players who have left the club and are currently playing around the ice hockey world.

Glowa is back for more

Canadian forward Jeff Glowa has re-signed for his 5th season with the Hull Stingrays and follows Lee Mitchell and Jason Kostadine into agreeing for the 08/09 season.


Glowa, who has played for the Stingrays in 5 of their 6 seasons of exsistance, finished the 2007/08 campaign with 18 goals, 35 assists for 53 points as well as 44 PIMs which extends his lead at the top of the all time Stingrays goals, assists and points totals. He is the current leader in total league games (194), goals (94), assists (111) and points (205) for the Stingrays who have competed in three levels of British Ice Hockey during his time at the club; the BNL (at the time 2nd tier), EPL (now the 2nd tier) and EIHL (top tier). However he brings much more than that to the table.

On the ice he epitomises what Stingrays fans like to see from their players; commitment, dedication and a passion for the club, but for him to have the ability to put up 42 and 53 point seasons in the top league in the UK makes him a valuable asset to the Stingrays.

Off the ice he is a friendly face, an approachable guy and frequently gets involved in community events which the Stingrays are so often involved with.

It is expected that he centres the first or second line. Which of those two lines he ends up centreing is entirely dependant on Rick Strachans final 6 forward signings. It would be possible that Strachan sees him as a second line centre which would be mixed with grit and skill. However equally possible is that he sees the team going with a tough second line, where points are not likely to be the option, and a skill line capable of scoring points, of which Glowa would definatly be a part of.

Theres no doubt that if Glowa can replicate last seasons 53 points, which he did with little celebration as Rankin and Riddle took the plaudits, the Stingrays will have the foundations of a team which can make the playoffs should the teams other signings be equally talented.

Kost of Rankin leaving is minimised.

It has now been confirmed that Rob Rankin turned down both the Excel Hull Stingrays and Swedish side Olofstroms IK in order to join Newcastle Vipers for his second season in Britain and the EIHL.

Rankin recorded 24 goal, assists 33 for 57 points in his maiden season with the Stingrays and was undeniably one of the best and most consistent performers on the team.

Meanwhile gritty, tough forward Jason Konstadine signs for his first stint in Britain after spending 4 years in the ECHL. He was drafted in the 8th round of the 2002 NHL Draft by Chicago Blackhawks and recorded 96 PIMs in 30 games late last season with the Bakersfield Condors after starting the season with the Augusta Lynx. He will be expected to provide energy, grit and some much needed toughness to a Stingrays side that has often lacked toughness in its first three seasons on the EIHL. It sparks the beginning of what could be a much much tougher side next term as it is expected coach Rick Strachan will opt to go with aggression and entertainment in order to bring more fans through the doors.

Trull Vs Kostadine