One import to go as Stingrays add Tanaka

Photo © Geoff Foster

The Rapid Solicitors Hull Stingrays will begin the build up to their 2012/2013 Elite Ice Hockey League campaign - their tenth anniversary season - in little over a month and they today edged closer to completing their roster with the signing of their tenth and penultimate import, Canadian forward Cale Tanaka.

The Ontario native comes to the club recommended by former Stingray and rookie success story Andrew Coburn - with whom he played with between 2007 and 2010 in the NCAA at the University of Alabama Huntsville.

While Coburn - who put in a tremendous season long stint with the Rays in 10/11 scoring 18 goals and 56 points in 54 games - recorded 54 points in 94 college games over three seasons, Tanaka hit just 24 in 112 games and four seasons.

A 26 year old winger, Tanaka began his career with big numbers in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League hitting 62 goals and 141 points in 183 games between both Stouffville Spirit and Aurora Tigers - peaking with 24 goals and 58 points in 49 games.

The points failed to materialise in the NCAA as they had in junior for the Canadian - who has British ancestry - as he was utilised primarily as a defensive, shut down forward at the top level of college hockey in North America with UAH Chargers - who claimed the College Hockey America Conference in 2006 and 2010.

Having graduated with a Bachelor's in Science in Business Administration, Marketing Management following four years at college, Tanaka crossed the Atlantic and joined French second tier side Montpelier for his rookie professional season as a 24 year old.

He ended up playing just nine games in France and during 10/11 on his senior debit, scoring two goals and two assists before re-surfacing last season in Ontario Hockey Association's senior Allan Cup Hockey league.

In a league laden with former EIHLers, Tanaka registered four goals and 9 assists for 13 points in 13 games last season, as 26 year old teammate Cam Watson lead the five team league with 34 goals and 63 points in 27 games.

Glowing references from Coburn look to have been a sizable factor in the signing of Tanaka, and of his latest signing coach Sylvain Cloutier said:

"Andrew said he comes to play every night and is a real professional on and off the ice and that's the type of team we want to put together in Hull. He will fit right in with our group of forwards and he will play a big role up front with our special teams. I am really looking forward to playing alongside him and coaching him."

There will undoubtedly be concerns raised over Tanaka's lack of points during the last six years - with just 41 points in 134 games - particularly as EIHL imports are generally expected to notch up the goals and points.

However, with Cloutier referring to the 5'9 forwards special teams abilities, it looks likely his newest addition will play a largely defensive role and will not necessarily be expected to regularly produce offensively.

This is more understandable given the Rays situation on and off-ice and the fact that they will this season be permitted 11 non-British born players - up from ten - meaning he is more likely replacing a British forward from last season.

Added to the rule change the club will actually possess another extra outskating import in comparison to last season after Brit Ben Bowns replaced Canadian Christian Boucher between the pipes - freeing up a further spot.

More concerning may be that Tanaka has iced in just 22 professional games over two season.

He becomes the Stingrays 12th signing and 9th import signing of the summer leaving Cloutier just a handful players short of a squad for the upcoming season.

Import wise it is still thought the club's final roster spot will go to either NCAA graduate forward Colin McIntosh or rangy, physical defenceman Jeff Smith - with it now looking like one will miss out. Confirmation of that final signing is expected within the next couple of weeks though according to the Hull Daily Mail it is looking increasingly likely it will be Smith after the Stingrays allegedly missed out on McIntosh due to paperwork issues.

The situation on the remaining couple of Brits remains less clear - with few experienced players available for next season the club may be forced to look to the junior ranks to fill out its roster.

Rays roster as it stands

Netminder

Ben Bowns

Brit

Defencemen

Lovdahl - Dulle

Valecko - Import (Smith?)

Hand - Brit

Forwards

Ozolins - Tendler - Silverthorn

Osman - Cloutier - Tanaka 

Towner - Sykes - Ward

Brit - Brit - 

Stingrays announce key sponsorship deals

The Hull Stingrays have received a number of big off-ice boosts in last couple of weeks with Rapid Solicitors. Henderson Insurance Brokers and long-term sponsor Excel Laminating all committing to sponsoring the club for the forthcoming 2012/2013 Elite Ice Hockey League campaign.

Rapid Solicitors - who specialise in accident compensation nationwide - have committed what is believed to be a considerable figure to take over from Excel Laminating as the club's main and title sponsor having last season sponsored the Elite Ice Hockey League and previously sponsored the club in other areas. The deal will see the Stingrays officially become known as the Rapid Solicitors Hull Stingrays.

Martin Ward, Commercial Manager of Rapid Solictors said:

"Extending our relationship with the Stingrays in Hull is something we particularly wanted to do because our firm is based in Hull and staffed by local people. Many of us are ice hockey fans so we appreciate the passion and loyalty of Stingrays fans and hope they will support the firm which supports the team."

The move brings to an end Excel Laminating's main sponsorship of the club - which dates back nine years to the first day of the club's existence and was previously believed to be one of the longest title sponsorship's in the sport. Their unequivocal support of the club has been a huge factor in getting the club where it is and they too today re-committed to sponsoring the club - continuing their their long association with the Stingrays.

Longtime supporter and Managing Director of Excel Laminating Jeff Thomas said:

"We are really pleased to continue our involvement with the Stingrays. It is great news the club is now under local management and [new owner] Bobby [McEwan] is a bundle of energy. Stingrays are committed to the youth set-up and the community programmes. We are pleased to be involved with an organisation which puts something back into the community and we are committed to supporting ice hockey in Hull."

Meanwhile former helmet sponsor Henderson Insurance Brokers have returned to sponsor the club for a sixth season.

Speaking of the deals, Bobby McEwan - who confirmed at Thursday nights fans forum that he now officially owns the EIHL club - said:

"Having been involved with hockey in this city since 1988 I know just how important it is to have local businesses behind you and we thank them for their support...For Rapid to back us in this way is a big step forward. They're a major legal force in the UK and their name is everywhere in Hull, so their endorsement will help us to secure additional sponsorships....I am thrilled Excel have agreed to continue their long association with Stingrays. They have been behind the Stingrays from day one and have made a major contribution to the continuity of ice hockey in the city over the last decade."

Having continued his bid to take over the Stingrays without the direct financial support of Nic Gough, McEwan will undoubtedly be delighted with the way in which sponsors and businesses, both new and old, have backed him and the team.

It is believed the club are well on the way to achieving their sponsorship target for next season, however, given the difficulties and start up costs for any new owner - the season ahead promises to be a tough one both on and off-ice.

Stingrays bolster Brit pack with two-way deals

The Hull Stingrays have today continued the process of replenishing their British corps - following the defection of what is likely to be all nine of last season's British roster - with the addition of forwards Sam Towner and Andy Ward on two-way contracts with the club's English National League setup.

Sam McCluskey, Tristan Harper, Jack Watkins (Dundee Stars), Andy McKinney (EPL; Manchester Phoenix), Dan Scott (EPL; Slough Jets) and Bobby Chamberlain (Canada; Ogden Mustangs) have all left the club this summer after season long stints with the club while Andy Brummit, Ryan Lake and Matty Davies also look unlikely to return.

While Towner and Ward were sparingly used last season during a similar nine and five game two-way stint respectively, it is highly likely their ice-time will increase in the upcoming season given the turnover of British players. The change is, in part, believed to be a cost cutting measure by new owner Bobby McEwan during his first season at the helm, which may allow budget normally spent on Brits wages and accommodation to be used for other outgoings.

30 year old Ward - who lead the ENL Stingrays in scoring (26) and was second in assists (16) and points (42) - showed his size and good solid skating ability in brief glimpses last season and again steps up to EIHL level having only restarted his senior hockey career a number of years ago. 

Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the spectrum 17 year old Towner has begun his senior career where so many - including Bobby Chamberlain, Stevie Lee, Kevin and Dave Phillips - also began theirs. After playing at every level of the Kingston Junior Development Programme, last season he also iced for both the ENL Stingrays - where he scored nine goals and 22 points in 21 games - and Stingrays U18's - where he dominated scoring 16 goals and 12 assists for 28 points in just 16 games.

Speaking of the Stingrays latest additions, McEwan said:

"I saw Andy playing rec hockey a couple of years ago and told him he was too good to be doing that. He has speed and skill, he has got a bit of an edge, he is a competitor and he does not like to lose. He works hard and he has been getting himself into shape over the summer. He has made that commitment, he wants to play for the team and he wants to take the opportunity with both hands."

"Saw is a player for the future, he has got all the skills and he loves the game. He stepped in last season and played back-to-back games against Edinburgh and Dundee when we had a few injuries. He was put on a lone with Clouts [player-coach Sylvain Cloutier]. Sam was unbelievable for someone his age - he was only 16! Clouts was really impressed with him"

One a prospect for the future and one a first chance saloon at 30. Few will, or at least should, expect a massive offensive output from either, however, when called upon they will be replacing homegrown forwards and, it has to be said, reputable prospects, that last season generated nine, eight, five, four and two point seasons - therefore the bar has not been set high for the next generation of Stingrays Brits.

With six confirmed British departures and three more all but confirmed, the Stingrays have a long way to go before each outgoing Brit is replaced by one incoming.

Although it is believed Cloutier has targeted - and in most cases signed his squad for 12/13, including the British corps - the so-far confirmed British signings of Ben Bowns, Chris Sykes, Andy Ward and Sam Towner leave him four players short - and that is with the extra allowed import next season factored in.

Boucher return to North America confirmed

Former Hull Stingrays netminder Christian Boucher's move to the Quebec based LNAH was today confirmed by Saguenay Marquis - the Canadian's latest club.

The move brings to an end a relatively successful two-year stint in East Yorkshire for the well-liked keeper - who joined the club in 2010 from Dutch side Nijmegen Devils.

Replacing outgoing Latvian Martins Raitums for 10/11, Boucher immediately established himself as a solid choice by Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier - who he had played and impressed against while with Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League.

The Ontario native developed into a solid, if unspectacular netminder for the Stingrays - someone who may not regularly win a game on his own but one whose level of performance night in, night out remained stable throughout the season.

For a Stingrays side who had previously fluctuated between injury prone and inconsistent in the netminding department - his largely mistake free game and consistency was a welcome relief.

While he had a small number of critics over the two years it can't be forgotten the the club broke all kinds of records during his two seasons between the pipes.

During his first season - generally regarded as the 2nd best of his two years in Hull - Boucher recorded a 3.68 goals against average and 89.3sv.% as the Stingrays broke all kinds of records including finishing position (7th), wins (23), goals scored (178) and points (49) before qualifying for the playoffs in their own right for the first ever time.

Boucher undoubtedly settled better last season and upped his game and consistency. Although the regular season was tougher on the whole, the Rays hit form at the perfect time as the regular season ended and qualified for their third consecutive playoff berth.

'Bouch' - who stopped a season high 56 shots against Dundee in October - then stood on his head in the Playoff Quarter Final First Leg against the Sheffield Steelers - restricting an offensively laden South Yorkshire side to two goals.

The rest was history, as a Derek Campbell hat-trick lead the club to their first ever Playoff Semi-Final and Final Four Weekend in Nottingham.

The Semi-Final itself was one to forget - not just for the keeper but for the whole team - as the Rays (and Boucher) conceded ten to the eventual playoff winners the Nottingham Panthers in what turned out to be Boucher's final game for the club.

It was an unfortunate and unjust way for the Robert Morris University graduate to leave the club having served them so well

Speculation initially suggested the 28 year old would retire from the game after he returned to Canada and gained a full-time job.

However, on 16 June he was drafted by the third year old Saguenay Marquis of the LNAH - a fighting dominated league based in Quebec, Canada - with their fifth pick of the draft in the second round.

The move - which gives Saguenay Boucher's LNAH rights were he ever to play in the league - suggested they were looking into the possibility of signing the netminder.

His signature was confirmed today in a press release announcing the majority of the team's squad for the upcoming season including the impressive additions of Bruno St Jacques (DEL, Straubing Tigers), Jonathan Paiement (Austria, HC Innsbruck) and former Coventry Blaze and Cardiff Devils forward Sylvain Deschatelets.

Breaking: North American return for Boucher confirmed

Former Hull Stingrays netminder Christian Boucher's move to the Quebec based LNAH was today confirmed by Saguenay Marquis - the Canadian's latest club.

More to follow....

'Ozzy' returns to Hull

Forward Dominic Osman has become the Hull Stingrays 11th signing and 5th re-signing of the 2012 summer - rejoining for a second season in the Elite Ice Hockey League.

The 30 year old American bagged 26 goals, 16 assists and 42 points in 61 regular season games before adding a goal and an assist in the club's three game playoff run - which saw them reach a landmark first ever Playoff Semi-Final and Final Four weekend.

A former ECHLer of 126 games and 62 points and CHLer of 60 games and 47 points, Osman joined the club a year ago from ECHL side Toledo Walleye - where he recorded 10 goals and 15 assists in 56 games alongside fellow EIHLers Adam Keefe and Dave Phillips.

For a team that is understandably more accustomed to signings from the CHL than ECHL, the Michigan native was seen as a big addition to the Rays roster at the time and one that would play a key role in the year to come providing secondary scoring behind former teammate Jereme Tendler.

However, it is believed a slow start to his first campaign in the UK came close to costing the 6ft forward his place of the roster part-way through last season. With Kurtis Dulle brought in from retirement to shore up a leaky defence, the Rays were carrying one too many imports and were forced to make a cut due to finances.

Following early season disappointment Osman and Frantisek Bakrlik were made favourites to be released after failing to hit the twine as expected and after player-coach Sylvain Cloutier's revelation that a forward would have to make way for the club captain and defenceman.

A perfectly timed up-turn in form from Osman in late October through to November though saw Bakrlik released in late November to join Coventry and later Fife.

The decision to retain Osman turned out to be a master stroke by Cloutier as the speedy Michigan native - who once netted 14 goals in 15 games with the Kalamazoo Wings of the IHL - became a favourite with the fans and went on to hit 26 goals for the Rays, despite the slow start.

Those 26 goals rank seventh in goals by a Stingray in a single season, slotting in just behind Jason Silverthorn's 30 of last season and Jeff Glowa's 31 of 08/09 and just ahead of Rob Rankin and Konstantin Kalmikov's 23 of 07/08 and 08/09 respectively.

Given the rate of improvement in the American's game from the start to the end of the last campaign - including that particularly fruitful purple patch during October - it is hoped Osman will again lift his game next season and continue to provide the Rays with much needed secondary scoring.

Of his fifth and more than likely final re-signing Cloutier said:

"I'm pleased to have Ozzy back, I will be counting on him to bring some offence and physical play on the forecheck using his speedy. Ozzy has one of the quickest releases around so there is no reason for him not to put up big numbers this season. He will be a key player to how much success we will have this season. Like I said before it's nice to have guys that stay loyal to the club, those are the guys you want on your team. I am really looking forward to see what Ozzy can do this season, I expect a lot from him."

While their scoring threat pales into insignificance on paper in comparison to some EIHL sides, the Rays now have four genuine scoring options signed up for 12/13.

Jereme Tendler is naturally again the main goalscoring threat with 82 goals in 105 games for the club at Elite League level, meanwhile Jason Silverthorn can boast a 30 goal season in 11/12 and 128 goals in 275 EIHL games - though is perhaps more accustomed to creating goals.

In addition to Cloutier's high hopes of Osman next season, the signature of Janis Ozolins - last season's top second tier English Premier League top goalscorer with an impressive 55 goals in 52 games - gives the Rays a number of strings to their offensive bow.

Whether they further add to their scoring brunt remains to be seen, though NCAA graduate Colin McIntosh is almost certain to become the sixth and final import forward signing of the summer.

Third year for captain Dulle

32 year old defenceman Kurtis Dulle will return as Hull Stingrays captain for a third consecutive season after it was today confirmed that he has re-signed for the 2012/2013 Elite Ice Hockey League campaign.
An offensive blueliner, Dulle rejoins for a third term in East Yorkshire having racked up 65 points over two seasons and 95 games after joining the club late in the summer of 2010.

The 5'11, 194lbs blueliner had a career year during his first season in Hull in 10/11 - setting a Stingrays single season high in points by a defenceman (39) - in the process becoming the club's first true attack minded D man since 06/07 and fellow Canadian Kevin Young.

The University of Regina graduate has since go on to rank second in all-time assists (51) and points (65) amongst Stingrays defencemen in the Elite League trailing only Ukrainian Pavel Gomenyuk - who has played 108 more games than the Canadian.

In an official press release Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier said he was "really glad" to have the Saskatchewan native defenceman back for the third year, going on to add:

"...it just shows you that Hull is a great place to play. He has been our captain for the last two years and will be again. He brings leadership on and off the ice. He has been our most consistent D man for the last two years, he comes to play every night and that's what I need from him. He is one of the better offensive 'D' men in the league and with him, [Tomas] Valecko and [Shane] Lovdahl, I really like what we have at the back end so far."

Having contemplated retirement and life after hockey last summer following a spell in the Australian Ice Hockey League, he made a surprise return in October with the club struggling defensively but provided an immediate spark, helping the team to a win 9-4 over the Braehead Clan on his return.

Joshua Mizerek - who started the season as captain but was generally viewed as the weak link in the Rays D last term - was later released and replaced by his predecessor for the remainder of the year with the Stingrays going on to finish seventh before reaching the EIHL Semi-Finals and Final Four for the first ever time.

Over the season Dulle tallied three goals - something he may want to improve on from the get-go this season - and 26 points last season, 13 less than in 10/11 though having played 13 fewer games. Nevertheless, his first pass from defence and occasional tendency to rush the puck was a pivotal part of the Rays and their transitional game as were his puck moving abilities on the man advantage.

Critics may point to his 218 penalty minutes in two years and 95 games and state he takes too many cheap and unnecessary - something that can't be argued with given the only players to receive more penalty minutes in the last two season's have been Jozef Sladok, Derek Campbell and Andy McKinney, who all play the game with an aggressive edge.

Nevertheless, it is quite clear that Dulle is the kind of quality offensive defenceman and on-ice leader that the Stingrays cannot afford to gamble on or, indeed, miss out on given the previous signing of such ilk came in 2006. While those 218 penalty minutes add up, so do the 65 goals he has played some part in over the last two years, not forgetting the tremendous job he appears to have done as club captain both on and off-ice.

He joins a Rays defensive corps which currently consists of new signings Shane Lovdahl, Tomas Valecko and, likely, utility enforcer and fifth defenceman Ryan Hand with one defenceman left to sign.

That final defensive option is highly likely to be former Coventry Blaze blueliner Jeff Smith - who last season played in Holland with HYS The Hague. That speculation and rumour ties in perfectly with Cloutier's comment in today's press release stating the last signing on D would be "a big stay-at-home 'D' man, not flashy, just doing the job and keeping it simple."

31 year old Smith is a 6'6 former ECHLer who recorded three goals and one assist for the Blaze in 14 games before injury cut short his 10/11 season.

Stingrays to get a helping Hand in 12/13

The Hull Stingrays have today confirmed the long-mooted signing of Canadian enforcer Ryan Hand from the Central Hockey League's Texas Brahmas.

The 27 year old - who prefers to play D but can also move up front - brings his considerable physical prowess and enforcing abilities to the Elite League having scored a goal and three assists in 50 games in the CHL last season, adding 122 penalty minutes.

90 of those 122 minutes spent in the penalty box last term stem from the 18 fighting majors he received in bouts against the likes of former Cardiff Devils defenceman Justin Sawyer and Manchester Phoenix forward Brett Clouthier - whom he fought on five separate occasions last season.

Indeed, it was a fight with Phoenix fan favourite and Allen American Cloutier - who also had a spell in Sheffield with the Steelers - that made national headlines, as the pair dropped the gloves pre-game during the ceremonial puck drop of a game between the Brahmas and Americans in April.

Hand - who at 27 has spent 123 games in the CHL, 23 in the ECHL and 66 in the LNAH - has 181 fights to his name in a four year junior career and six year senior career against some of the biggest names in fighting at minor league level including Louis Bedard, Derek Parker, Brandon Sugden and Jon Mirasty.

His career high for fights in a season is 38, set during his second professional season and second season in the renowned LNAH - a predominantly fight based league based in Quebec, Canada. Last season's 18 fights rank third in season career highs for the Ottawa, Ontario native.


With just five goals and 14 assists to his name in more than 220 senior appearances, there will understandably be questions posed once again about the role of the enforcer in the EIHL and whether Hand is a sensible use of a vital import spot. 


However, Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier is confident the 6'1, 181lbs enforcer will play an important role in the Elite League.

"I am extremely excited to have Hand on board. The guy competes, he works hard and battles for his team-mates. He is willing to do anything for the team and from the first time we spoke on the phone I knew I wanted him on my team. Ryan is my type of player, a guy that comes to work every night and you can count on. He will  bring a physical part to our team that we haven't had in a few years, it's a great addition to our team and he can play both forward and D. He will be one of our leaders and he will hold guys accountable"

While there will undoubtedly be both skeptics and critics over the addition of a player who has more than 1200 PIM's to his name, it remains to be seen whether Hand can thrive given a regular shift.

The Stingrays have a particularly spotted history when it comes to signing enforcers and so observers will perhaps be forgiven for being a little apprehensive to begin with.

Delving into the club's short nine year history brings up the name of past enforcers Simon Rizk and Jonathan Bernier. Signed a season apart, Canadians Rizk and Jonathan Bernier were signed by Rick Strachan for the 06/07 and 07/08 campaigns respectively and possessed similar resumes to that of the Rays latest addition - joining from the CHL with high PIM's and low points totals.

Looking to move to Europe to free themselves from the enforcing role which they had been pigeonholed during their early careers in North America, they both failed to make the grade in the EIHL with Rizk released after seven games, one fortuitous goal and 23 penalty minutes while Bernier quit after just four games, no points and nine PIM's.

On the other hand, Cloutier's first out-and-out enforcer Adam Knight was perhaps the club's most successful signing in the role during the player-coaches first season in charge, 09/10.

Although Knight had previously had a high scoring four year spell in the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, he had been similarly restricted to the enforcing role during a season in the CHL prior to moving to the UK - which he split between Colorado Eagles and New Mexico Scorpions - scoring two goals, two assists and 153 PIM over 58 games.

Unlike Rizk and Bernier, Knight - who was also the last out-and-out enforcer signed by the Rays - went on to relish the role in the British top flight becoming a solid depth import, notching seven goals, 20 assists and 121 PIM's while retaining his enforcing duties when called upon - fighting now former Stingray Derek Campbell, Brad Voth and Sean McMorrow three times each.

Campbell himself, while not an out and out fighter, was another example of a 'useful' enforcer at EIHL level because he, like Knight, did not by any means rely solely on his physical abilities. The longevity of Hand's spell in the UK very much depend on his ability to provide the Stingrays with more than just scrapping ability.

The very early signs are at least somewhat positive though.

Much like Knight, Hand comes to the UK labelled a utility player that can fill on both up front or in defence when required - a useful trait for any player and one that indicates teams have had the confidence to play him in a defensive role in the past. He has also chipped in with a few goals throughout his career, though granted not bucket loads - something Rizk could not boast with just one goal to his name.

Nevertheless, as Cloutier touches on in the press release, and no doubt will talk about further as the season draws in, Hand has not been brought in to simply entertain - though I'm sure he will. He will "hold guys accountable" and will ensure teams do not take liberties with the Stingrays - in particular goalscoring threats Jereme Tendler, Janis Ozolins and Jason Silverthorn - in the upcoming season, something that could turn out to be a momentous task given some signings so far this summer.

EIHL rivals the Coventry Blaze have set their stall out early and tough so far this off-season and lead the way in the toughness stakes. They have so far signed capable fighters Mike Danton, Benn Olsen, Mike Egener and Gerome Giudice - while former Nottingham Panthers enforcer Alex Penner is another rumoured be  signing. Elsewhere, Belfast have the 230 PIM man and all-around entertainer Adam Keefe, Nottingham possess new signing Jason Beckett and Cardiff have signed Tyson Marsh.

Hand's 'handiness' in the fighting stakes could well be a pivotal factor in the Rays season, particularly in the intimidation stakes and games against Southern Conference sides.

The main question marks over Hand's signing are; can he step up his game with the increased ice-time in comparison to North America e.g. Adam Knight? If not, can the Rays afford to use one of their 11 available import slots on an out-and-out enforcer? Stingrays fans, I'm sure, are hoping the answers are an emphatic yes and yes. Rizk and Bernier are evidence enough of what may happen if the answers are no and no.

If all else fails, at least it's likely the Rays will have one of the most entertaining, toughest and fearless players in the league when the EIHL returns in September.


See below for an interview by the Fort Worth Examiner's Troy Depue in which Hand unsurprisingly talks about his favourite fights, fighting style and beliefs as well as his abilities as a player:

Stingrays roster as it stands

The Hull Stingrays have begun the month of July with a flurry of activity after an initial lull following the early signings of player-coach Sylvain Cloutier, topscorer Jereme Tendler, EPL top scorer Janis Ozolins, Brit Chris Sykes and British netminder Ben Bowns.

Cloutier has since been quoted as stating he has completed his squad for the upcoming season and a number of signings - including the confirmed addition of Tomas Valecko and unconfirmed signings of Jeff Smith, Colin McIntosh and Ryan-James Hand - have since leaked out from a number of sources.

With the squad all but complete, FBB looks at how the Rays will potentially shape up heading in to 2012/2013:

Netminders

Bowns

(Brit)

Spots available - 1 Brit

Rumoured additions - None

Defencemen

Lovdahl - (Import)

Valecko - (Import)

(Brit) - (Brit?)

Spots available - 2 imports, 1 Brit (Min.)
Rumoured additions - Jeff Smith (Import), Kurtis Dulle (Import - re-signing)

Notes: Captain Kurtis Dulle is largely rumoured to be re-signing while former Coventry defenceman Jeff Smith is likely to complete the Rays import defensive core. As yet, no rumours as to who, or if, the Rays will be adding British fifth and sixth defencemen for a third line of defensive options. It would be seen as highly risky and, moreover, it is highly surprising were they to settle for just four import defencemen, as such Rays are likely to add at least one Brit to replace the departed Sam McCluskey and Dan Scott.

Forwards

Tendler - Silverthorn -  (Import)

Ozolins - (Brit) - (Import)

Sykes - Cloutier - (Import)

(Brit)

Spots available - 3 imports, 1 Brit (Min.)
Rumoured additions - Colin McIntosh (Import), Ryan-James Hand (Import), Matty Davies (Brit), Dominic Osman (Import - re-signing)

Notes: It has all but been confirmed that the Rays have signed NCAA grad Colin McIntosh and CHL enforcer Ryan-James Hand leaving just one remaining import spot. Dominic Osman has been tentatively linked to a return and could complete the club's import forward options. With the departure of Tristan Harper, Jack Watkins, Andy McKinney and Bobby Chamberlain the club are in desperate need of British forwards - though Matty Davies may well return. Elsewhere, it may be that a number of options from the junior development setup are added to bolster the squad, potentially leaving the Rays lacking experience in the British forward ranks.

Valecko second defenceman in three days for Stingrays

The Hull Stingrays today made their second signing in three days adding Slovakian defenceman Tomas Valecko to their defensive corps after a season with Elite Ice Hockey League Northern Conference rivals the Edinburgh Capitals.

26 year old Valecko notched eight goals and 23 assists for 31 points in 55 games in the Scottish capital last season - good enough for 14th among EIHL defencemen in points, outscoring all Stingrays defencemen - as the Capitals disappointingly faded to finish ninth, one place outside of the playoffs.

Prior to his sole season in the UK last term, the 6'1, 194lb blueliner iced for eight years in his native Slovakia - spending 153 games (6 goals, 23 points) in the top flight and 103 games (12 goals, 41 points) in the second tier - and one and a half years in the Polish top tier.

After a short nine game stint with KH Sanok in 08/09 - his first outside of his native Slovakia - Valecko returned in 09/10 and exploded offensively - hitting 14 goals and 32 points in just 24 games. In the process he outscored former Stingray Dmitri Rodin while recording just four points fewer than the Estonian despite having played less than half Rodin's 55 games.

Indeed, it is Valecko who Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier envisions replacing Rodin - who departed for English Premier League side Sheffield Steeldogs earlier this summer - as one of the club's offensive options from defence next season:

"Tomas is a great skater and passer. He is a solid defenceman who can run the powerplay. I almost signed him the year before but we lost out to Edinburgh. To finally have him on board is going to be good for us. He skates well on the big ice and is going to be a big part of our powerplay."

Estonian national team captain Rodin had an outstanding year for the Stingrays, much to the surprise of some - who believed his best days were behind him at the age of 36. In fact the complimentary comments paid to the former Edinburgh D man today could equally apply to Rodin when he joined the club this time last year, though Valecko arguably holds the edge in a head-to-head comparison on paper:

2009/2010 Polish League

Dmitri Rodin (34) 55GP  10G 26A 36PTS 48PIM

Tomas Valecko (23) 24GP 14G 18A 32PTS 32PIM

2011/2012 Elite Ice Hockey League

Dmitri Rodin (36) 51GP 9G 18A 27PTS 101PIM

Tomas Valecko (25) 55GP 8G 23A 31PTS 89PIM

The Rays latest addition compares very well with Rodin - last season's defenceman of the year and a big hit with players and fans - though it's a well used cliche that sport isn't played on paper or through statistics.

Nevertheless, the Slovakian - who joined the Caps last summer after a year split between HK Michalovce and HK Spissa Nova Ves - stood out for his abilities on a relatively non-existent Edinburgh defence which conceded a league high 265 goals in the regular season. It could well be that he is about the perfect like-for-like replace for Rodin - though only time will tell if he can and will have as big an effect.

He joins fellow new addition Shane Lovdahl on the blueline and, it is widely rumoured, they may soon be also be joined by re-signing Kurtis Dulle and former Coventry blueliner Jeff Smith as Cloutier once again, Lovdahl apart, sticks to known quantities in the EIHL. 

Stingrays add first defenceman Lovdahl

American defenceman Shane Lovdahl has today become the Hull Stingrays first defensive signing ahead of the 12/13 Elite Ice Hockey League campaign.

The 28 year old, left shooting blueliner joins the club after spending all three professional season's with the Illinois based Quad City Mallards - one in the International Hockey League and the last two in the Central Hockey League, where he iced alongside former Rays agitator Jason Kostadine.

A former junior champion and top goalscoring and pointscoring defenceman in the United States Hockey League - where he spent three years with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders between 2002 and 2005, lifting the Clark Cup in 04/05 - the Alaska native notched three goals, ten assists and just 22 penalty minutes in 59 games in the CHL last term.

After starting his junior career in the USHL, he returned to Alaska and his hometown of Anchorage in the summer of 2005 - icing in NCAA Div I while studying Management at the University of Alaska - Anchorage. Following four years in the NCAA, the 6ft blueliner ended his hometown stint with eight goals and 33 points in 110 games.

Additionally, Lovdahl also spent the summer of 2010 in the Australia Ice Hockey League with the Adelaide Adrenaline scoring 13 goals and 29 points in 25 games 'Down Under'.

Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier calls Lovdahl an "all-around defenceman", adding:

"Shane is a solid defenceman who is a competitor and works extremely hard. He had three great years in Quad City and put up some decent numbers for a defenceman. He is extremely good in his own zone, he battles, he competes every shift and that it what I was looking for."

One thing Lovdahl admits he is not, is an out and out fighter - stating in a 2009 interview to the Quad City Times that "if it's for the team or sticking up for a guy then I'll fight" - having having dropped the gloves on only 16 occasions in more than 450 career game.

Nevertheless, just a couple of months after the interview it is perhaps worth noting he fought Muskegon Lumberjacks right wing John DiPace in a heat-of-the-moment bout:

Given his previous numbers it's highly unlikely Lovdahl - who has become the Rays fifth import signing of the summer - is being brought to the table to provide offence or, despite the above clip, toughness. Much more likely is that his constant and solid presence in his own defensive end will provide Stingrays rookie EIHL netminder Ben Bowns the kind of support that Christian Boucher was not afforded at times last season.

His addition appears to come very much in the mold of former defenceman Stephen Burns - who, himself, impressed during his cut-short season long stay in Hull during 09/10 after a similarly low scoring season in the CHL.

Burns - who, it is thought, came close to agreeing to a return to Hull last season - hit two goals, six assists and 94 penalty minutes in 55 games during his sole season in CHL at Rio Grande after four years in the NCAA and - on paper - Lovdahl compares very well with the former defenceman - who recorded four goals and 16 points in 62 games in the EIHL.

The confirmed departures of standout defencemen Dmitri Rodin and Sam McCluskey and all but confirmed departure of Martin Ondrej mean Lovdahl may be the first of a number of new defensive signings with only captain Kurtis Dulle rumoured to be returning.

Two former EIHL defencemen linked to the club in recent weeks are Jeff Smith and Tomas Valecko. Smith - a former ECHL and AHLer - spent last season in The Hague in Holland, a year after his time at the Coventry Blaze was cut short to just 11 games through injury, meanwhile Slovakian Valecko hit eight goals and 31 assists with the Edinburgh Capitals last season.

It is believed further announcements are imminent with Cloutier confirming to the Hull Daily Mail that he has already all but completed his squad for the 12/13 campaign.

EIHL 12/13 Fixtures: Two Scottish double headers; Panthers home opener for Stingrays

The Elite Ice Hockey League have today released their schedule for the upcoming 2012/2013 campaign and the Hull Stingrays will begin the upcoming season the way they ended the last - with a fixture against the Nottingham Panthers.

Thankfully for the Rays and their fans, the opening night doesn't and hopefully won't completely mirror that night in April at the Trent FM Arena - in which the Stingrays were defeated 10-3 in their first ever EIHL Playoff Semi-Final and Final Four weekend - as the Panthers and Stingrays start 12/13 at the Hull Arena in with a Challenge Cup fixture on Saturday 8th September (6.30pm).

That is followed up with another home Challenge Cup game - this time against the Cardiff Devils on Thursday 13th September - before the Rays travel north for their first league fixture of the campaign as they take on the Dundee Stars and their trio of former players in Sam McCluskey, Tristan Harper and Jack Watkins on Sunday 16th September.

The Rays complete their eight game Challenge Cup group campaign - from which four out of five teams will this season qualify for a new Quarter Final stage - on 10th November against the Coventry Blaze with the only note to the Challenge Cup campaign being that the Nottingham Panthers fixture on 13th November has been doubled up as a dual cup-league fixture.

Other notable fixtures include a first meeting with the Sheffield Steelers since that unforgettable night at Ice Sheffield last April (26th September), home Christmas fixtures against Sheffield (22nd December) and Edinburgh (27th December) and a first home game against former Coventry owners (10th November).

They end the season in March with five home league fixtures in seven games - including a four game homestand between the 3rd and 16th March. The club's final fixture of the regular season comes on Sunday 24th March against the Coventry Blaze.

The Stingrays have not been afforded the opportunity to cut costs and half the number of trips they make across the Irish Sea with an away double header against the Belfast Giants (they travel to Northern Ireland on 29th December and 2nd February).

However, they have been handed two double headers in Scotland on 1st and 2nd of December and 19th and 20th of January (both Braehead Clan and Edinburgh Capitals - in that order).

Though it could be said the benefits and saving in travel expenditure of those two weekends away could be nullified by hotel costs and a lack of home fixture, and therefore income through paying spectators, the Stingrays appear to have come out relatively well from the notoriously tough EIHL fixtures meeting.

New owner to-be and managing director Bobby McEwan made the decision to change - where possible - the club's preferred match night from a Sunday to a Saturday, meaning next season there will be 16 Saturday match nights, ten on Sunday and five mid-week home games - with Saturday's outweighing Sunday's for what is believed to be the first ever time during the Stingrays reign in Hull.

The potential and hopeful benefits of changing the preferred matchnight is believed to be two fold.

Firstly, there is a natural desire throughout the club to increase attendances - something which would be helped on a Saturday night as opposed to a 'school night' such as a Sunday.

Secondly Stingrays players should - in theory - be fresher, fitter and more prepared for a home fixture on a Saturday after a week of training than they would on a Sunday following an away game and a, more often than not, lengthy and tiring road trip - thus increasing the club's chance of winning their home fixture, in turn increasing positive feeling around the club. At least that's the idea and one the new ownership appear confident in at least trying.

Face-off times have also changed slightly with Saturday fixtures now facing off at 6.30pm - presumably, so as to allow fans of Hull City time to travel between the KC and Hull Arena - and Sunday and mid-week games generally facing-off at 6pm and 7.30pm respectively.

Stingrays to-be owner and managing director said of the opening night and Challenge Cup:

"It is a great way to start the season. Panthers are the cup holders and a top team and it will be a packed Hull Arena. All the teams will still be learning their systems and will not be up to scratch straight away. There will be a lot of mistakes but if we can play well then hopefully we can nick a win. The way the Challenge Cup is set up this season gives us a chance of making the quarter-finals and that is something we will be looking to do. I like the new league format, there will be more competitive games and our goal will be to win our conference."

Please see below for the Stingrays full fixture list for the 12/13 campaign. Please be advised dates can and probably will change. See www.hullstingrays.net for further information including face-off times.

Hull Stingrays Fixture List -  Elite Ice Hockey League12/13

September 2012

2 Pre-season, 4 Challenge Cup, 4 League - 6 Home, 4 Away

Sun 2nd - Sheffield Steeldogs (H) - P/S
Thu 6th - Sheffield Steeldogs (A) - P/S
Sat 8th - Nottingham Panthers (H) - CC
Thu 13th - Cardiff Devils (H) - CC
Sun 16th - Dundee Stars (A)
Sat 22nd - Edinburgh Capitals (H)
Sun 23rd - Edinburgh Capitals (A)
Wed 26th - Sheffield Steelers (H) - CC
Sat 29th - Coventry Blaze (A) - CC
Sun 30th - Braehead Clan (H)

October

2 Challenge Cup, 6 League - 4 Home, 3 Away

Sat 6th - Dundee Stars (H)
Sun 7th - Belfast Giants (H)
Sat 13th - Nottingham Panthers (A) - L/CC
Sun 14th - Dundee Stars (A)
Sat 20th - Dundee Stars (H)
Sun 21st - Sheffield Steelers (A) - CC (Ice Sheffield)
Sat 27th - Fife Flyers (H)

November

2 Challenge Cup, 8 League - 4 Home, 6 Away

Thu 1st - Cardiff Devils (A) - CC
Sun 4th - Fife Flyers (H)
Sat 10th - Coventry Blaze (H) - CC
Sun 11th - Coventry Blaze (A)
Tue 13th - Fife Flyers (A)
Sat 17th - Belfast Giants (H)
Sun 18th - Edinburgh Capitals (A)
Sat 24th - Fife Flyers (A)
Sun 25th - Braehead Clan (H)
Thu 29th - Braehead Clan (H)

December

8 League - 3 Home, 5 Away

Sat 1st - Braehead Clan (A)
Sun 2nd - Edinburgh Capitals (A)
Sun 9th - Nottingham Panthers (A)
Sat 15th - Nottingham Panthers (H)
Sat 22nd - Sheffield Steelers (H)
Sun 23rd - Cardiff Devils (A)
Thu 27th - Edinburgh Capitals (H)
Sat 29th - Belfast Giants (A)

January

9 League - 4 Home, 5 Away

Sat 5th - Cardiff Devils (A)
Sun 6th - Sheffield Steelers (H)
Sat 12th - Edinburgh Capitals (H)
Sun 13th - Coventry Blaze (A)
Sat 19th - Braehead Clan (A)
Sun 20th - Edinburgh Capitals (A)
Sat 26th - Fife Flyers (H)
Sun 27th - Fife Flyers (A)
Wed 30th - Edinburgh Capitals (H)

February

9 League - 4 Home, 5 Away

Sat 2nd - Belfast Giants (A)
Sun 3rd - Coventry Blaze (H)
Sat 9th - Dundee Stars (H)
Sun 10th - Dundee Stars (A)
Wed 13th - Braehead Clan (A)
Sat 16th - Cardiff Devils (H)
Sun 17th - Sheffield Steelers (A)
Sat 23rd - Fife Flyers (A)
Sun 24th - Braehead Clan (H)

March

8 League - 5 Home, 3 Away

Sat 2nd - Braehead Clan (A)
Sun 3rd - Fife Flyers (H)
Sat 9th - Dundee Stars (H)
Sun 10th - Nottingham Panthers (H)
Sat 16th - Cardiff Devils (H)
Sun 17th - Dundee Stars (A)
Sat 23rd - Sheffield Steelers (A)
Sun 24th - Coventry Blaze (H)

Stingrays set for key fixtures announcement

Tomorrow mornings much anticipated Elite Ice Hockey League 2012/2013 fixtures announcement could be crucial for the Hull Stingrays and their - soon to be official - new owner and managing director Bobby McEwan.

The club - who will, at this point, be fully aware of the outcome of June's important fixtures meeting and the season ahead - have been placed in the yet-to-be officially named 'Northern' Conference following the EIHL's decision to split the top flight in two based on geography.

That decision - supposedly coincidentally - placed the Rays with like-minded Scottish 'minnows' the Dundee Stars, Edinburgh Capitals and Fife Flyers, as well as the Braehead Clan, all of whom they will face six times home and away - up from four last season.

'Southern' Conference and relatively big spending sides Belfast Giants, Cardiff Devils, Coventry Blaze, Sheffield Steelers and the Panthers, meanwhile, will take on the Stingrays just twice home and away - down from four last season - much to the chagrin of EIHL fans the length and breadth of the UK.

The Stingrays - who are now at the tail end of a takeover but at the time of the structure change were in the midst of one - were largely believed to be the 'worst' affected given they now face longer, more frequent and costly road trips to Scotland, and fewer visits from well-supported relatively local sides Nottingham and Sheffield.

Financially it was believed the implications could be massive for the Stingrays - more so than any other side given their geographical location in comparison to other sides in the conference - while on-ice, the effects of hours of travel between East Yorkshire and Scotland would surely also be sizable.

After an initial mix of anger and skepticism from fans, McEwan reassuringly stated at a June fans forum that he was confident the extra competition and increased likeliness of success created by the club facing sides on a similar financial footing more often would negate any detrimental effects from the additional travel and fewer visiting fans.

It was thought the club would also seek to further reduce any other potential negative effects by doubling up a number of fixtures - in particular the two expensive road trips across the Irish Sea against Belfast - which itself has helpfully been reduced by one from last season - or a couple of the increased number of trips to Scotland.

The fixtures announcement will reveal whether or not they have been successful in pitching their plight to the nine other member teams - if they even sought to as suggested.

A pre-season double header against closely linked English Premier League side the Sheffield Steeldogs is one fixture already in the diary ahead of the beginning of the EIHL on 8th and 9th September.

The sides have swapped five players so far in the off-season including Dmitri Rodin, Derek Campbell, Ben Bowns, Chris Sykes and Janis Ozolins and will face each other at the Hull Arena on Saturday 2nd September and Ice Sheffield on Thursday 6th September with the Rays also looking to face another, as yet, unnamed team on Sunday 3rd September.

Though it is believed there was a desire to host another installation of the P&O Cup - which the Rays lifted last season and has featured teams from both the EIHL and Holland in recent years - it seems unlikely there will be one this season given an already tight pre-season schedule.

McEwan revealed to the Hull Daily Mail last week that the clubs players will be arriving in Hull on the 28th or 29th August ahead of the Steeldogs fixtures the following weekend - leaving little to no time for the pre-season tournament which has traditionally been held during the August Bank Holiday.