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.
