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:
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.
