Elite League 2009-2010

After losing two of its ten teams, the Elite League has decided on a 56 game league schedule for the 2009/10 season, which will run from the September 5th to March 21st.

The league season will consist of four home and four away fixtures against each side, with the Challenge Cup taking on extra significance after the discontinuation of the much maligned British Knockout Cup following just four years of competition.

Meanwhile the playoffs will continue in their current controversial format with a two legged quarter final determining who will move on to the EIHL Playoff Weekend for the two semis finals.

Although this may seem the only avenue for the resource heavy Elite League, the winner will potentially have to win just three games to take home the sports most coveted prize, seriously devaluing its importance according to some.

After the departure of Manchester and Basingstoke, all of the leagues eight teams will qualify for the playoffs, meaning the Stingrays will compete in the playoffs for the first time in their four year Elite League spell.

Yet to be confirmed is a weekend similar to rugby leagues 'Magic Weekend', where a round of fixtures are played over a weekend featuring all of the leagues teams at one venue. The weekend is expected to be in October at the Sheffield Arena with full details of the special event to be confirmed in the near future.

Bison Brit Migrates North to Hull

21 year old British forward Shaun Thompson has signed for the Excel Hull Stingrays after his former side, the Basingstoke Bison, dropped down from the Elite League to the British second tier, the Engligh Premier League.

The former Great Britain junior international recorded 17 goals and 23 assists in a difficult year with the Hampshire club and comes in as the Stingrays fourth British signing this summer and third British forward.

In a Bison side that was troubled with an owner that went AWOL, and subsequent financial issues, for the second season running, Thompson was bumped up to the teams first line with GB international Greg Chambers and Canadian Brent Hughes, following the departure of a number of imports.

It became a bittersweet season for Thompson, who was moved up the lines to replace the MIA imports, only for the Bison to quickly transform from the infamous 'Bison Ten' of 07/08 into a team visibly nearing the end of their time in the topflight.

"It was a difficult scenario in Basingstoke last season but it gave me a chance to get a lot of ice time, play on the powerplay and penalty kill, something I never dreamt of getting so it worked in my favour. "

Despite a terrible seasons team wise, Thompson, who, prior to last season had only scored six goals and eight assists in four bit part seasons with Nottingham and Basingstoke, pushed himself forward as the teams top performer.

His work ethic and hussle provided the spark for a Bison side that all too often went out with a whimper and, as a former junior international with 21 points in 15 games for GB, that extra ice time and hardwork finally converted his potential into on-ice ability at professional level.

Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier, having added Lee Esders and Lee Mitchell to his British forward corps, believes that the addition of Thompson further strengthens the Rays options up front, and that his last year in Basingstoke will have brought him on as both a player and person.

"With what he went through in Basingstoke last season, with the uncertainty of the team, showed what kind of character he had by being able to stay focused on his job and produce. He had a great season scoring 17 goals at a top level. I believe he will improve on that number and therefore bring success to our team."

Meanwhile Thompson commented that he is excited to join the club, particularly with the aura of the Stingrays new coach, who was a big factor in him signing at the Hull Arena for the next year.

"There is already a good feeling about the Stingrays for next season and it is going to be exciting to be a part of it. Sylvain Cloutier has a massive reputation as a person and it rubs off on players and players want to play for him. It was nice to have a person of that stature call you and it was nice to feel wanted. "

Thompsons signing has now cast doubt over the future of Russian born Brit Slava Koulikov in Hull.

Should the Rays sign two more import forwards, then the signing of the 21 year old means that the team may require just one more British forward to complete their expected three line forward roster.

And although Koulikov is expected to re-signing in the coming weeks, with Hull born Matty Davies also in the picture, his re-signing may not be as cut and dried as it perhaps should be for a forward who recorded 30 points in 39 games last term.

Photos Courtesy: BRLD

Gomenyuk re-signs

Ukrainian defenceman Pavel Gomenyuk will return for his fifth season in Stingrays colours after being re-signed by new coach Sylvain Cloutier following a career year in the Elite League.

The 32 year old, who has split his four seasons with the Stingrays with two in Newcastle, recorded a career best 13 goals and 42 points in 56 games with the Stingrays last season and successfully bounced back from a difficult 06/07 season in Hull.

In a physically frail defence, with Troy Neumeier, Stuart Kerr and Paul Moran all sitting out significant portions of the season, along with the surprise early exit of Jonathan Bernier, Gomenyuk provided a solid, and most importantly, sustained presence on the blueline.

As his career year figures suggest, it was not only his defensive solidity that made him an important cog in the Stingrays Elite League machine last year. Offensive production from defence was something which the team seemed to lack from the outset, and his long searching passes and pinpoint slapshot from the blueline became a much need natural source of offence, whilst other defencemen battled for points.

After playing a key role with the team last season, coach Sylvain Cloutier said that he will continue playing an important role next season, both going forward and defensively.

"I am extremely excited to have signed Pash, he will be a key part of our defence. He is a very solid two-way defenceman, one that will help tremendously to our success this upcoming season."

With a Elite League Playoff medal in 2005, after beating, now coach, Cloutier's Coventry in the semi final, Gomenyuk's talents are proven at Elite League level, and with 173 games under his belt for the team, his new coach is confident that the Kiev native is hungry for success to strike in Hull.

"His experience is very important, he wants to be a part of our organisation, he wants us to succeed, therefore I feel he will compete every night and bring leadership on and off the ice. He is familiar with the Elite League which will definitely help the newcomers to our team. I am looking forward to coaching him as well as playing alongside him on the ice"

Gomenyuk (right) following Playoff Victory (Photo: Colin Lawson, bbc.co.uk)

Meanwhile the 5'11, 211lbs Eastern European agrees that after the team suffered yet another playoff failure, he is determined to make this season a successful one under a new coach.

"I am really happy to be staying with Hull for next season. It was disappointing last season but we have a new coach, a new team and it will be a new challenge for us all. We are going to have a really competitive side and hopefully we can finish above the bottom places in the league.

He now joins a new look defence consisting of Brit Craig Mitchell and tough Canadian Adam Knight and with, most likely, three further new signings, including two imports.

The balance between imports forwards and defence, and how to split the allowed ten imports, is a tough decision for all Elite League coaches. Too many import defencemen and you may struggle to hit the twine, but too many forwards and each result may resemble a rugby league scoreline more than a hockey one.

With two relatively inexperienced defencemen signed alongside Gomenyuk, it would seem that Cloutier will plump for two more import defencemen and just one more forward, making the Stingrays import quota one netminder, four defencemen and five forwards.

That one remaining import slot is rumoured to have been handed to 28 year old Canadian Matt Reynolds, who last season scored 55 points in 51 games for the Stingrays and thoroughly flourished prior to a broken hand, however power forward Adam Powell, who last season iced under Sylvain Cloutier in Corpus Christi, has also been mention as linking up with his former coach in a Stingrays forward role that is set to be announced in the next few weeks.

Photos Courtesy: Arthur Foster, Colin Lawson

Knight joins Stingrays ranks

Versatile tough guy, Adam Knight, has joined the Excel Hull Stingrays from the Central Hockey League (CHL) for the 09/10 season, and Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier believes that the 6'2 Alberta native will become a fan favourite in East Yorkshire.

The 27 year old, who will play defence for the Stingrays but is also an effective forward, joins after a rookie season split between the Colorado Eagles and New Mexico Scorpions, where he accumulated 153 penalty minutes along with two goals and two assists in 53 games.

Last season known for his toughness, as a junior playing in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) during the 00/01 season he developed a point scoring touch which will please Stingrays fans, as he recorded 39 points alongside an impressive 239 penalty minutes in 54 games.

He followed that up with an impressive 76 points, including 32 goals, in a four year, 79 game spell in college with South Alberta Institute of Technology. However, next season, Knight will be required to implement his versatility, playing on defence, as opposed to his preferred forward role, where he has played for the majority of his junior and senior career.

Knight (white) scoring for South Alberta Institute of Technology

Something that comes natural to the Canadian is the tough role of enforcer.

With 17 fighting majors last season alone, including fights with former EIHLer's Jason Goulet, Robin Gomez and, fan favourite in the UK, Dennis Maxwell, he is not afraid to drop the gloves, and that is one of the reasons why Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier has brought Knight to the EIHL for his first season outside of North America.

"I'm very pleased to have Adam as part of our club, he will bring a physical element to our defence. He plays the game hard and with honesty, the way it should be played. Adam won't have a problem sticking up for his team-mates."

And although toughness is one, albeit big, part of his game, Cloutier commented that, despite recording just four points in his first professional season, he will not follow in the footsteps of former Stingrays Simon Rizk and Jonathan Bernier in lacking playing abilities.

"Not only can he bring a physical element to the game, he is also a very good hockey player...He will be a big piece of the puzzle. Adam comes to play every night which is very important in my book. It won't take long for him to be a fans favourite."

Knight comes in the very same mould as former Stingray Cole Byers, who, although suffering from injuries in his two seasons spell at the Hull Arena, provided the team with toughness and 100% work ethic, whilst also chipping in with a few points.

Like Knight, Byers also played in the BCHL, scoring 15 points in 52 games, and was similarly capable in roles as a forward and defenceman, and should he become half as popular as the rugged forward, then he will have a successful first season in Europe.

With so little ice time in the CHL, the Elite League will allow Knight to ice more and develop his skills as a relied upon hockey player, and not just a policemen of other teams tough guys.

Although he is expected to ice as the Stingrays fourth, and least important offensively, defenceman, he will have to implement his tough style of play in the perhaps less familiar territory of defence.

Knight in action in the CHL

Elsewhere in Stingrays news, it was confirmed that, although talks had taken place, fellow tough guy Andre Payette will not be joining the Stingrays after intense speculation.

The 32 year old forward has touted his signature around the league with , so far, little success, after the Stingrays, Sheffield Steelers and Newcastle Vipers all passed on his signature. The Edinburgh Capitals are the final team, yet to have ruled themselves out of a move for Payette, although a return to Newcastle is not completely out of the picture.

Photos Courtesy: 37 Hockey, Les Stockton, Stephanie Alaina

Stingrays Five of the Best...Netminders

In the first of eight part series looking at the best of the best at the Excel Hull Stingrays, in an attempt to make this incredibly long off-season seem that bit shorter, F Block Blog looks at the best netminders to have stood between the pipes during the teams six year existence.

5 Curtis Cruickshank (08/09): With just five import netminders having played for the Stingrays in six years, this 'five of the best' was not tough to compile. Nevertheless, Cruickshank was the fifth best, or worst if you want to put it that way, and that outlines the sad state of British netminders.

As for his performances for the Stingrays, well, either Cruickshank suffered from the lack of support he received from both the stands and his defencemen in his single season with the team, or he was as bad a choice as netminder as Stingrays fans immediately thought. In the end Cruickshank made mistakes on a fairly regular basis and his positioning was quite often a big cause for concern. Despite this he did have a handful of good games and at times proved why he was so highly rated during his, knee injury free, spells at Nottingham and Basingstoke.

4 Pasi Raitanen (03/04): The likeable Finn that is Pasi Raitanen became the Stingrays first ever netminder in the summer of 2003 and, in somewhat surprising circumstances, was released post-Christmas, despite recording a credible 90.9 save percentage in the Findus Cup. However, with the teams win column in single digits and with Raitanen possessing a lowly 85.3 save percentage in the league, he was cut, despite a distinct lack of errors. In hindsight, the move proved a good one, but Pasi, who retired this summer, will always be remembered as a fan favourite, not only in Hull but also around the country.

3 Anders Hogberg (03/04): Hogberg was the man that was signed to replace the considerable figure of fellow Scandinavian Raitanen. The Swede was cut from the London Racers at a similar time to Raitanen leaving his post at the Rays and, ideally for the Stingrays owners, was delighted to sign for the club. Surprisingly he more than adequately filled the gaping goal left by the Finn and also proved to be a big fan favourite, most notably endearing himself to the Hull Arena by performing a pirouette following one of the teams sparse wins during their first year of existence.

2 Ladislav Kudrna (07/08): Kudrna came to the Stingrays with much anticipation following a season in France and an impressive couple of seasons in Edinburgh, where he gained a reputation as a solid keeper. Replacing Miroslav Bielik, the main reason for Rick Strachan signing Kudrna was his ability to steal games, the staple of any good side, and, although it is in no doubt that the Czech netminder did steal games for the team, his inability to keep the close ones close was what cost him. A very good netminder on his day, but an uncharacteristically long list of bad games more than likely cost him his job for 08/09 and that unreliability in the majority of games became the final straw.

1 Miroslav Bielik (05-07): Joining the team in the EPL and ending his two year stint in the EIHL, Bielik was not only a consistent netminder, but also a good one. He stole games and also provided the team with a basis to build upon. Eventually, a very leaky defence and season scuppering injuries became his downfall, but for a bit more fitness and a little more luck, Bielik could have taken the Rays to EPL Playoff Weekend and the EIHL playoff Quarter Finals. Both goals that the Stingrays have, thus far, failed to reach.

Mitchell Brothers Join Forces At Stingrays

The Excel Hull Stingrays today announced the signing of brothers Lee and Craig Mitchell for the 09/10 season in the Elite League.

Forward Lee, 22, re-signs at the Stingrays after a career year, recording seven goals and 23 assists in his fourth season in Hull, meanwhile Craig, 18, last season iced in his rookie season in the Elite League for the Edinburgh Capitals, recorded one assist in 58 games from the blueline.

The brothers will ice together for the first in their careers, despite both progressing their talented young futures from their hometown in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, with the Fife Flyers.

The pair have both progressed through the junior ranks at national team level, with Craig achieving promotion with the U20's this year in the IIHF Division II Championships in Logrono, Spain, whilst Lee has been on the brink of the senior side for two years, this year being named as reserve for the Division I World Championships in Poland.

Lee has been a particular bright spot in the Stingrays three seasons in the Elite League, developing from a hard working forward into a play making top liner, capable of mixing it with the best the league has to offer. It will be hoped that, after an encouraging rookie season in the Elite League, where he racked up regular ice time and showed a consistent physical edge, Craig will follow in his brothers footsteps and achieve top line minutes and a try for a spot on the Great Britain roster.

Speaking of the double signing, Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier said that he hopes Lee will have a career year, not only by increasing his output, but by gaining that first Great Britain cap that has so far eluded him:

Lee will bring a physical element to the team as well as a lot of energy. He is also very strong defensively which I will be counting on this season. I will also count on his leadership on and off the ice. I expect Lee to have a breakthrough year this season and I do expect his first national team call-up will be around the corner if he works hard and stays determined.

Craig has been talked about as one of the Britain's better young defensive prospects and it is hoped that, with another year of regular Elite League action, this time under Cloutier, he will be pushing on for an appearance in Great Britain colours like his brother:

"Craig is a young defenceman who is coming into his own with a full year in the Elite League under his belt. I feel he has a lot of potential and will have a chance to prove himself with our club," said Cloutier.

"It's very important to have a strong British core. These two young players have a bright future in British hockey and they will be a big part of the national team one day."

Meanwhile Craig spoke expressed his excitement at the team that Cloutier is putting together in Hull, but also thanked former coach Doug Christiansen for the chance that he was given in the in Edinburgh, which has resulted into a move to Hull with brother Lee.

"Lee has told me a lot of good things about the club and after speaking to Sylvain Cloutier I am really excited about next season. He is putting together a really good team and I think we can challenge the big teams," said the young Scot.

"I want to thank [Edinburgh player-coach] Doug Christiansen for having confidence in me and giving me the chance to play last season. I saw a lot of ice time, more than I thought I would get, and I improved a lot because of that."

Craig will now have the opportunity to develop under the same roof that helped push forward blueliners Stevie Lee and Dave Phillips into slots on British junior and senior sides, as well as positions on top four teams in Nottingham and Belfast.

Craig becomes the first defenceman to sign for the team in front of new starting netminder Tommy Sandahl whilst Lee joins fellow Brit Lee Esders as the teams only signed British forward.

Recent rumour suggests that an American college defenceman may be joining the young Scot on the blueline for the 09/10 season, however one defenceman now not coming to the Stingrays, or the Elite League, is Canadian Mike Beynon, who is thought to have pulled out of a move to the UK according to his agents website.

Photos courtesy: fifeflyer.co.uk, FosterA@code.karoo.co.uk

Kalmikov is back for more

Standout Ukrainian forward, Konstantin Kalmikov, has been re-signed by coach Sylvain Cloutier for a second season in Excel Hull Stingrays colours after a superb first season at the Hull Arena.

The 30 year old from Kharkov, Ukraine, was signed to replace the enigmatic Jake Riddle in October last year and went on to become one of the most talented forwards to have played for the club, scoring 25 goals and 49 points in 48 appearances in the Elite League.

Having played against former Ukraine international Kalmikov earlier in his career, Cloutier was immediately interested in re-signing the tall, skillful winger:

"From playing against him in the AHL, I know how much of a competitor he is - he will not accept losing. He wants to have a successful season as much as I do," said Cloutier.

"He will be counted on as a leader on and off the ice."

Cloutier continued to speak about Kalmikov's immense talents:

"It was vital to retain his services. I feel he will be the key to our success next season. He is the most talented player in the Elite League and I am extremely happy to have him back."

A draft pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1996, Kalmikov began his stint with the Stingrays with four assists in two games against the Basingstoke Bison, as he immediately linked up perfectly with line mate Matt Reynolds and that form remained for much of the season.

His name consistently featured on the score sheet after that opening weekend and not for misdemeanors either, with the Ukrainian picking up just two penalties in his 48 games for the club.

It was his force as an attacking presence and pinpoint finisher that won him forward of the year at the fans voted end of season awards dinner and cemented him as a fan favourite, mainly for his split second, flashes of brilliance that would frequently change a game.

He is, without doubt, one of the most skillful players to have iced for the Rays, and his shot, as former coach Rick Strachan described it, is "NHL calibre".

The disappointment of failing to qualify for the playoffs was evident in Kalmikov's body language following the defeat to Cardiff and subsequent final day defeat to Edinburgh, but it is that disappointment that will drive him on for a successful 2009/2010 season and Cloutier is adamant that 09/10 will be one of the best seasons for the Stingrays.

"I think with the players we are all going to be surrounded by we will all have a great season together," said Cloutier.

Kalmikov will line up with Lee Esders and Jeff Glowa as, thus far, the only returnees from last seasons squad, although Lee Mitchell and backup netminder Andrew Jaszczyk are also now expected to on the list of re-signings for Sylvain Cloutier's first season as coach in the EIHL.

The Stingrays have now signed up four of an expected six import forward lineup, with Andre Payette and Adam Knight rumoured to have sealed deals for the final two spots.

Photos Courtesy: Arthur Foster (FosterA@code.karoo.co.uk)

Sandahl is shoo in for Hull

Sylvain Cloutier has today signed 24 year old Tommy Sandahl as the Excel Hull Stingrays number one netminder for the 2009/2010 season. The Swede will replace Curtis Cruickshank between the pipes and becomes the Stingrays fourth starting Elite League netminder in four seasons.

Soon to be 25, the Ljungby native will spend his first season out of his homeland after nine seasons spanning across the Junior EliteLeague, Allsvenska, Division 1 and Division 2.

Last season he returned to his hometown team, Troja-Ljungby in the Allsvenska, following a spell in with Gislaveds in the lower Division 1, and there he backed up former Nottingham Panthers netminder Petter Sandstrom, statistically outperforming the former ISL keeper albeit in fewer games.

After starting in ten games and also reliving for Sandstrom, Sandahl ended with a 90% save percentage and 2.92 goals against in 535 minutes of competitive play, and although these figures may not seem overly outstanding, the Allsvenska, Sweden's second tier, is thought to be a higher level than the Elite League.

Together they helped Troja-Ljungby surprise the league by ending the season in that seventh, and final playoff place, just outperforming former EliteSerien side Malmo Redhawks in the process, something that is hoped the Stingrays will achieve for the very first time with him between the pipes.

And coach Cloutier is very happy with the signing of the Swede, after requesting his brother, former NHLer, Dan Cloutier, find him the best possible netminder.

"He will do great here in the UK. He played at a high level in Sweden. The scouting report on him was good. He has quick feet, is very acrobatic, has a quick glove and more importantly he is a competitor. Tommy will be one of the better goalies in the league."

Meanwhile Sandahl expressed his excitement at playing overseas for the first time.

"I am very excited and looking forward to moving to a new country, a new culture and a different style of hockey. I wanted to look for a move outside Sweden and when I spoke to Sylvain Cloutier I felt comfortable. He seems to be a great person to lead the team and he told me he had full confidence in me being the starting goalie."

His signing spells the end for the wholly unpopular Curtis Cruickshank, who spent just one season in Hull recording a lowly 88.6 save percentage and a soaring 4.26 goals against average.

Obviously the Stingrays frail defence did nothing to ease his troubles, but it was more than Cruickshank's stats that bothered fans, it was his demeanor on the ice, positioning and erratic decision making that did not lead to a happy spell at the Hull Arena

Netminder is a position that the Stingrays have struggled to find continuity in. Miroslav Bielik was too injury prone, but Ladislav Kudrna and Cruickshank were too inconsistent, despite the odd jaw dropping save.

Sandahl revealed on the official Excel Hull Stingrays website what kind of netminder he is.

"Hull will be getting a stable goaltender who doesn’t give up too many rebounds. I play a safe game and am not a highlight goalie – I just keep things simple."

So with Sandahl filling the solid and stable, rather than the spectacular and unorthodox mold, he will hopefully bring about some stability in what is the most important position on any hockey team. And providing he is not injury prone, the Stingrays will hopefully see one of the more consistent keepers in their short history.

With Sandahl signed, and Andrew Jaszcyzk set to sign as his backup, the next aspect of the team that looks set to be covered is defence and as well as an element that is likely to feature heavily in this years team, toughness.

Andre Payette, Mike Beynon and Brit Craig Mitchell are amongst the names that have allegedly already signed for the club, as Sylvain Cloutier continues to build for a two season shot at the Elite League.

Sandahl's promotion video (courtesy 37 Hockey)

Stingrays signing imminent

The Excel Hull Stingrays are tomorrow likely to announce the signing of another key member of their 2009/2010 Elite League squad.

The most recent speculation surrounding the Stingrays regarded tough guys, with Adam Knight, former Corpus Christi Ice Ray Adam Powell and Elite League pantomime villain Andre Payette all rumoured to have signed. But despite revived speculation suggesting the team will go for a tough approach, it is thought that they will tomorrow reveal the identity of their number one netminder for next season, thought to be a key component of success by many.

Sylvain Cloutier enlisted his brother, former NHLer Dan, to find the Rays a "quality" keeper and although Curtis Cruickshank has been linked with return to the club, Swedish netminder Tommy Sandahl remains firm favourite for the job after being linked with a move across the North Sea by Swedish media.

That was all but confirmed when his agent revealed that he would be signing in the Elite League for an, as yet, unnamed club, but that club is thought to be the Stingrays.

Rumour Mill #3

• Phil Aucoin, who last season played in the Netherlands, has been offered contracts by a number of Elite League clubs.
• Andre Payette has signed a deal to sign for the Excel Hull Stingrays after three years with the Newcastle Vipers.
• Lee Mitchell may re-sign for the Excel Hull Stingrays along with brother and Edinburgh defenceman Craig.
• Matt Reynolds to leave the Stingrays for a fellow EIHL club.
• Mike Beynon to sign for an Elite League team.
• Chris McAllister to reject the Nottingham Panthers and sign for rivals the Sheffield Steelers.
• Kevin Reiter in talks with Sheffield to replace Jody Lehman.
• Forward Adam Powell to join former coach Sylvain Cloutier at the Stingrays.