Jereme Tendler, the Excel Hull Stingrays franchise leader for most goals (48), points (76) and shorthanded goals (11) in a season, has today agreed to return to the club for the 11/12 campaign.
The 27 year old Canadian - who has been nominated as Elite League Newcomer of the Year after registering 48 goals, 28 assists and 76 points in 57 games so far this season - is a massive re-signing for the club following Sylvain Cloutier's re-commitment to the club last week.
A graduate of American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts, he rejoined Cloutier late last summer on 3 September, having been traded for by the current Stingrays coach while at Corpus Christi Ice Rayz in 08/09.
At the time the Viceroy, Saskatchewan native had spent 36 games of his rookie campaign with the Tulsa Oilers of the CHL, alongside former Stingray Jake Riddle, however, despite a five game stint in the IHL in which he netted five times, Tendler recorded just four goals in Tulsa before Cloutier came in for him.
That trade turned around his fortunes and he went on to end the year with nine goals and four assists in 17 games and three goals in two playoff games before following that up with a 20 goal year in 09/10.
He was reunited with Cloutier this summer as the Stingrays coach brought him across the pond as a late replacement for Chris Korchinski - who quit the club on the verge of collapse to sign in the CHL - and upon signing the Stingrays player-coach described him as "a pure goal scorer who will bring a lot of offence" going on to add that "he can find the net and will compete every night".
At that time few would believe how true those statements would be let alone that Tendler, who recorded 39 goals in his previous two seasons, would go on to be a potential 50 goal scorer, which is what he can be with two goals in the Stingrays two remaining games this weekend.
The incredible feat is all the more remarkable given he has done that on a team that sits seventh in the Elite League and not on a stacked team challenging for the title.
Cloutier spoke of his delight at making the first re-signing for the 11/12 season and explained he hopes the goalscorer will have some help next season:
Tendler will and has naturally credited a large portion of the hard work of scoring 48 goals to his teammates and that is a testament to the tight nit group in Hull this season. Nevertheless, one stat almost solely reliant on his own abilities is the Elite League record 11 shorthanded goals he has snatched this season.
The fact he has repaid the faith shown in him by Cloutier, who must be praised for bringing the Canadian to the UK, by re-signing in Hull rather than waiting for what could potentially be a lucrative summer is all the more endearing to the supporters.
The last seven days has seen Tendler receive the acclaim he so right deserves as he was selected into the Ice Hockey Journalists First All Star team for 10/11 and nominated as EIHL Newcomer of the Year. Cloutier added:
A graduate of American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts, he rejoined Cloutier late last summer on 3 September, having been traded for by the current Stingrays coach while at Corpus Christi Ice Rayz in 08/09.
At the time the Viceroy, Saskatchewan native had spent 36 games of his rookie campaign with the Tulsa Oilers of the CHL, alongside former Stingray Jake Riddle, however, despite a five game stint in the IHL in which he netted five times, Tendler recorded just four goals in Tulsa before Cloutier came in for him.
That trade turned around his fortunes and he went on to end the year with nine goals and four assists in 17 games and three goals in two playoff games before following that up with a 20 goal year in 09/10.
He was reunited with Cloutier this summer as the Stingrays coach brought him across the pond as a late replacement for Chris Korchinski - who quit the club on the verge of collapse to sign in the CHL - and upon signing the Stingrays player-coach described him as "a pure goal scorer who will bring a lot of offence" going on to add that "he can find the net and will compete every night".
At that time few would believe how true those statements would be let alone that Tendler, who recorded 39 goals in his previous two seasons, would go on to be a potential 50 goal scorer, which is what he can be with two goals in the Stingrays two remaining games this weekend.
The incredible feat is all the more remarkable given he has done that on a team that sits seventh in the Elite League and not on a stacked team challenging for the title.
Cloutier spoke of his delight at making the first re-signing for the 11/12 season and explained he hopes the goalscorer will have some help next season:
"I am extremely happy to have him back next year. I want to build the team around him and give him a supporting cast. He was happy to come back. He was grateful to me for giving him the chance to come here and it shows me his is loyal to me, loyal to the club and loyal to the fans. He has show his commitment to Hull and it proves what a great place Hull is to play hockey. I believed in him when I traded for him in Corpus Christi and believed in him when I brought him to Hull so we have a special relationship and we both want to drive this club forward."
Tendler will and has naturally credited a large portion of the hard work of scoring 48 goals to his teammates and that is a testament to the tight nit group in Hull this season. Nevertheless, one stat almost solely reliant on his own abilities is the Elite League record 11 shorthanded goals he has snatched this season.
The fact he has repaid the faith shown in him by Cloutier, who must be praised for bringing the Canadian to the UK, by re-signing in Hull rather than waiting for what could potentially be a lucrative summer is all the more endearing to the supporters.
The last seven days has seen Tendler receive the acclaim he so right deserves as he was selected into the Ice Hockey Journalists First All Star team for 10/11 and nominated as EIHL Newcomer of the Year. Cloutier added:
"Jereme is one of the best goalscorers in the Elite League and he will help us move forward and build on what we have achieved this year. Jereme has had a phenomenal season for us and his efforts quite rightly have been recognised by his nomination for the newcomer award."Those awards just highlight the fact that the forward is the kind of goalscorer many Stingrays dreamed of seeing a Rays colours, even for just one season. For him to return for a second year - which, given more preparation time, could potentially be even more successful than the current campaign - is not only a great statement for the club to make but also very exciting for the fan base and the future of the club.
