Blais loaned to Devils; Robson joins NIHL on two-way deal; former Stingray news

Hull Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier has had a busy week juggling his squad ahead of Challenge Cup fixtures against the Cardiff Devils on Sunday and against the Sheffield Steelers in South Yorkshire of Wednesday.

As well as awaiting the arrival of new import signings Kyle Mariani and Carl Lauzon, the Stingays boss has also offered two of his depth players the chance to gain ice-time elsewhere.

On Wednesday, it was announced that backup netminder - and 12th import - Greg Blais had joined Erhardt Conference side Cardiff on a two-week loan deal.

The 33 year old netminder - who stopped 9 of 11 shots in relief of Ben Bowns in the Rays opening fixture a week ago against the Nottingham Panthers - joins the Devils as a temporary replacement for injured starting netminder Dan LaCosta.

The deal, which will last for two-weeks while Lacosta recovers from a head injury sustained in pre-season, includes a clause which means Blais cannot play against the Stingrays this weekend. He will make his debut in the Welsh capital on Saturday against the Braehead Clan with Joe Myers starting in Hull on Sunday before fixtures next weekend in Dundee and against Nottingham.

Cardiff player-coach Gerad Adams said:

“Greg will give us another option and demonstrates the proactive approach from the club to find import cover and to work with Joe to help us win hockey games. Whilst it has been challenging this week we are focussed and know what we need to do.”

Following the temporary departure of Blais, Cloutier has also allowed young defenceman Scott Robson to join the NIHL's Blackburn Hawks on a two-way contract.

The 18 year old - who made his Elite League debut with the Rays last season, dressing in 37 games - is highly rated by the Stingrays. However, with the club now able to boast an eight man blueline following the arrival of Mariani, the GB junior international has been allowed to join the Hawks in order to gain valuable and regular ice-time.

The two-way deal will see Robson - who lived and grew up in the North West - primarily ice for the Hawks in the NIHL North 1 while dressing with the Stingrays when the Hawks don't have a fixture or if required by the Stingrays.

On adding Robson to his squad, Hawks player-coach Jared Owen said:

“Scott has been training in Blackburn during the summer and has really impressed me, Dangie and the team with his ability on the ice. He approached us earlier this year and said that Hull were looking for him to get more regular ice time and continue his development. Once the opportunity presented itself we jumped at it. Scott has previously played with the Blackburn Juniors and we’ve been following his career so far with interest. He’s played in the top-tier of hockey in this country and you can see a real difference in his game since training and playing in the Elite League over the last season. We’re really grateful to Sylvain Cloutier and the Hull Stingrays organization for giving us the chance to benefit from the two-way deal and I’m sure he will become a very welcome addition to the team for the new season.”

In former player news, forward Dominic Osman will join the Southern Professional Hockey League's Huntsville Havoc this season.

Osman - who was signed to provide the Stingrays secondary scoring in 2010 - was well liked thanks to his gritty, hardworking style of play during his two season's in Hull - where he hitting 25 and 26 goal seasons as well as 83 points in 120 games.

Having left Hull in April, he moved down under to spend the summer with the Newcastle North Stars of the Australian Ice Hockey League.

He helped the North Stars to a second placed league finish with 18 goals and 51 points - eighth in the AIHL. In the post-season the North Stars progressed to the playoff final but - despite a hat-trick from Osman - were defeated 6-3 by the Sydney Ice Dogs - who lifted the Goodall Cup.

Meanwhile, last season's fan favourite Ryan Hand looks set to return to the Central Hockey League.

The 28 year old enforcer - who recorded two goals and 15 assists as well as 266 penalty minutes and 13 fighting majors last season in Hull - had originally agreed to join the Cornwall RiverKings of the LNAH - a league renowned for fighting.

However, his agent has announced he will instead return to the CHL - where he has previously spent three years of his career, recording two goals, six assists and 302 penalty minutes in 123 games.

Stingrays round off 13/14 roster; announce 25th Anniversary game; Dulle done?

The Hull Stingrays line-up for the 2013/2014 Elite Ice Hockey League campaign was all but completed at tonight's fans forum with the announcement from player-coach Sylvain Cloutier that the club has signed up imports Chad Huttel and Matt Suderman, and hometown Brits Lee Bonner and Tom Ralph for the upcoming season.

In 30 year old Suderman it is again a case of Cloutier finally getting his man. The defenceman joins the Stingrays at the second time of asking, having previously agreed to join the club three years ago in 2010 prior to the club's untimely and temporary collapse, eventually joining the Dundee Stars before the Rays resurrection.

A tough defensive defenceman, he has previous experience in the now defunct United Hockey League, Southern Professional Hockey League and, primarily, the Central Hockey League - where he first caught the eye of Cloutier in 08/09 - while he has also spent a season in the Ligue Magnus in France with Morzine-Avoriaz.

A former seventh round draft pick of the Atlanta Thrashers in 2001, the Canadian spent a season north of the border in the Elite League following his spell in France, accumulating a goal and six assists as well as 186 penalty minutes in 57 games. Suderman was an alternate captain in Dundee and impressed enough to agree to return for a second season, only for a serious illness to rule him out of the whole of the 11/12 campaign.

After a year and a half out, he only returned to action in February this year with the SPHL's Mississippi Riverkings - recording an assist in three games - before he was loaned up the North American hockey pyramid for a two game spell in the CHL with the Bloomington Blaze.

At 6'3 and 236lbs, Suderman adds considerable and much needed size and strength to a side who's physical threat was likely to come in the form of Derek Campbell, who will, it is hoped, also be primarily but not solely focused  to produce offensively for the club, player-coach Sylvain Cloutier and fellow defenceman Jeff Smith.

The blueliner is certainly more than happy dropping the gloves if required, having fought on 72 occasions over his junior and professional career - including a high of 12 fights with the CHL's Arizona Sundogs during 07/08. In his last stint in the UK, the rangy Canadian fought on six occasions with two bouts coming against the Stingrays favourite Jozef Sladok.

While his CV from the outset may raise concern - particularly given the amount of time spent out of the sport in the last two seasons - the Canadian is a tough competitor and fills a sizeable hole in the Rays roster. Cloutier will be hoping that Suderman's re-signing turns out better than the last time he re-visited a player initially signed in 2010. On that occasion in 11/12, club captain Josh Mizerek failed to live up to expectations.

Also joining the defensive ranks alongside Suderman, Martin Ondrej, Omar Pasha, Jeff Smith, Jamie Chilcott and Scott Robson on the Rays defence is American blueliner Chad Huttel.

Photo - Sheffield Steelers

Similarly to Suderman, Huttel returns to the UK after time out of the sport. The 24 year old defenceman - who spent his rookie professional campaign with the Sheffield Steelers in 11/12 - joined the Texas based Fort Worth Brahmas on a try-out basis last summer only for an injury to his shoulder to rule him out for the season.

Prior to his three goal, 16 point spell down the M18 two seasons ago, Minnesota native Huttel spent four years at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, recording two goals, eight points and 125 penalty minutes over four seasons and 84 games. He capped a good college career in 10/11 by winning the NCAA national championship in 10/11 with a 3-2 overtime win over Michigan State at the Xcel Enegry Centre in St Paul, Minnesota.

Huttel, centre. Photo Jordan Doffing

Huttel is generally viewed as a gritty, hard working and physical defenceman who plays above his size 5ft 10 frame. In his own words upon signing for Sheffield in 2011:

"I'm a rock solid defenseman. I play things simple, I look to move the puck quickly and get it out of my own zone as fast as possible. I might not be the biggest guy on the team but I love the physical side of the game. I don't back down, I compete. I only know how to give 110%."

The upcoming campaign will be Huttel's second season as a professional as he tries to put the injury problems of last season behind him.

Like Suderman, concerns may be raised over his time out of the sport - and likewise the fragility of a shoulder injury for a physical player - and a lack of offensive production so far in his career - a criticism aimed at him by many fans when he first joined Sheffield. 

However, despite a relative slow start to his professional career in South Yorkshire, Huttel developed into a solid, reliable blueliner in the Elite League in 11/12. Cloutier will be hoping that, with that experience under his belt and the added responsibilities and reliance the Stingrays will naturally put on him, Huttel may prove to be one of the Stingrays most important signings this summer in anchoring the blueline.

Huttel fights former Stingray Andy McKinney. Photo Sheffield Star

The additions of Huttel and Suderman give the Stingrays eight defencemen and 12 imports - including back-up Greg Blais - heading into the 13/14 campaign, thus all but ending any likelihood of popular captain Kurtis Dulle returning to the fold for a fourth season.

Dulle - who looks set to be replaced like-for-like by Pasha - spent three years at the club, recording 26 goals, 80 assists and 106 points as well as a staggering 398 penalty minutes in 151 games. Those figures put the him 14th in Stingrays all-time games played, second in Stingrays all-time pointscored by defenceman and third in Stingrays all-time PIM.

In may ways, it was Dulle's high PIM count that prevented him solidifying his spot as the perfect offensive defenceman. Often guilty of a lack of indiscipline and trying to do too much himself - if anyone can ever be accused of such a thing - Dulle was nevertheless up there as one of the best defencemen the Stingrays have been lucky enough to sign. His and Jereme Tendler's signing late in the 2010 off-season two of the best things to come from the club's near collapse.

As well as two imports, the club also added two Brits on two-way contract to their roster this evening.

16 year old forward Lee Bonner will join the Stingrays for his first taste of professional hockey next season and, although he is highly unlikely to play a significant role on the team, he is very highly thought of as a future prospect by Cloutier and team owner and assistant coach Bobby McEwan. 

Bonner was top scorer for the Stingrays at U16 and U18 level last season and will play the apprentice role as tenth forward that so many, including Bobby Chamberlain who will play an important role on the Rays third line next season, have done in the past.

19 year old defenceman Ralph returns to the Stingrays on a two-way contract with the Whitley Bay Warriors having dressed in four Elite League games as a 17 and 18 year during 10/11 and 11/12.

The Hull born blueliner split last season between the Stingrays NIHL side and the Warriors - recording a goal and 13 assists in 23 games.

Meanwhile, the club also announced this evening a landmark 25th Anniversary game which will take place between the Stingrays and a squad of Hull ice hockey legends on 29th December. Further details of the event will follow but former Hull Thunder fan favourite Rob McCaig and Kingston Hawks defenceman Kelly Reed have already been confirmed as part of the legends team.

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 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.

It's never Dulle in Hull as three sign up

The Hull Stingrays today revealed the capture of imports Kurtis Dulle and Jereme Tendler, and the return of young British forward Ben Lowe for the 10/11 Elite League campaign, set to get underway in exactly four weeks time.

30 year old defenceman Dulle and 26 year old forward Tendler join from the Central Hockey League, where last season the pair iced for coach Sylvain Cloutier's former side Corpus Christi Ice Rayz. Indeed, it was during Cloutier's difficult time in the CHL that he first witnessed the pair.

Dulle iced alongside new Rays keeper Christian Boucher and former defenceman Stephen Burns with the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees in 08/09 and iced against Cloutier's Ice Rayz in a year he was named an CHL All Star after notching career bests in goals (7), assists (28) and points (35). Last year Dulle found himself on the Ice Rayz roster with Tendler after starting the year once again in Rio Grande before moving on to Colorado and Allen along the way, he finished the regular season with six goals and 21 assists.

Tendler also experienced playing against the Rays current player-coach with the Tulsa Oilers before impressing Cloutier enough to earn a trade to his Corpus Christi side, going on to hit nine goals and 13 points in 17 games in Texas

Well versed in the ways of the CHL having played there for at least part of the last five seasons, Dulle looks to have replaced the experienced hole left by Joshua Mizerek's defection to his former side HYS Den Haag. Although he is unlikely to take the place of Jeff Glowa as club captain, as Mizerek was expected to do, his stats going forward look ever so slightly more impressive than Mizerek's, with 33 goals and 98 assists in five CHL years, even if his leadership skills may not be enough for him to be handed the C.

Meanwhile, forward Tendler, who totaled 49 goals and 48 assists in 126 games in Springfield, Massachusetts at NCAA college side American International College is a boost to the Stingrays offensive line. He moved on to professional hockey in 08/09, after his stint in the NCAA, as he split the year between CHL sides Tulsa and Corpus Christi, and IHL side Kalamazoo. Between the three clubs he netted 18 times in 58 games, after starting the year with just four goals in 36 games, and he returned to Corpus Christi last year hitting career best figures.

However, he was left without a club this summer following the Ice Rayz reformation in the junior North American Hockey League (NAHL). With the club opting to for the junior league ahead of the merged CHL and IHL offering his much mooted move to the UK finally materialised.

The Saskatchewan native comes to the UK as a goalscorer rather than playmaker, with goals outnumbering assists at each of the five clubs he has graced in the last three years and with hat-tricks in both the CHL and IHL. With ice time guaranteed in the three line Elite League, it is fair to say goals are expected from the Canadian with hopes of another career year not beyond reasonable doubt.

And while a definite goal getter, on first glance he appears to be the 'extra' and 11th import promised by the new owners after Brit James Archer departed, as opposed a high spec replacement for star man Chris Korchinski, whose replacement is rumoured to be 40 point ECHL man Sean Berkstresser.

Meanwhile, 19-year old Beverley born forward Ben Lowe returns to the club having signed his first professional deal with the club last year. Seldom used until the result was beyond doubt, Lowe failed to register a point in 20 games with the club but will enter the season as a young prospect on the fringes of the squad.

There he may be joined by energetic 27 year old forward Ryan Lake, who has begun training with a mixture of players currently based in Hull after a few years out of the professional game. The former fan favourite has only just resumed training, however, an appearance later in the season is not completely out of the question.

The club now requires a minimum of two defencemen and one forward, all likely to be imports, taking Cloutier's roster to 17 players and 11 imports, ahead of an opening day Challenge Cup clash with Cardiff on Sunday 3 October.

Korchinski backs out of deal

24 year old forward Chris Korchinski, thought to be one of Sylvain Cloutier's key signings this summer, has made a U-turn on his decision to join the club following its untimely collapse and subsequent takeover last week.

The former Elmira Jackals forward netted 18 goals and 12 assists in 46 ECHL games last season and Cloutier was delighted to have landed a player he had been chasing for two years. However, his agent 9 Management last night announced he would avoid the situation in Hull by signing in the Central Hockey League once again because 'his initial deal in the UK changed'.

His departure leaves the club at least four imports short ahead of the new season with question marks over a number of other players including Trevor Read, Joshua Mizerek and Andrew Coburn as well as Brits Lee and Craig Mitchell.

Suderman joins Dundee as exodus begins

If the sad and emotional scenes in the early part of this week failed to hit home the reality that the Hull Stingrays will not take their place in the upcoming 10/11 Elite League season, then the disbandment of Sylvain Cloutier's 16 man squad certainly will.

That process began today as defenceman Matt Suderman signed in Scotland with the EIHL's newest side the Dundee Stars.

The departure of the tough 27 year old defensive blueliner marks the beginning of the very end for the Stingrays, at least for this year, and appears to have extinguished any hope of a rumoured saviour for the quickly approaching season. One-by-one during the coming weeks and days Suderman's 15 previously prospective team mates for the upcoming season will join the tough guy in signing elsewhere.

In other news, former Stingrays enforcer Adam Knight was confirmed as signing in the Central Hockey League with Wichita Thunder.

Departures continue

 

Following the surprise departure of player-assistant coach Curtis Huppe last month comes the somewhat less surprising confirmation that tough guy Adam Knight and British defenceman James Hutchinson have both played their final games for the Excel Hull Stingrays.

The pair, both expected to leave the Hull Arena this summer after just a season with the club, have been confirmed by their respective agents as returning to the leagues they joined the Stingrays from last summer.

In his sophomore season in Hull Knight hit professional career best figures, scoring seven times, adding 13 assists and 131 penalty minutes while emerging as a true fans favourite, particularly following tussles with the likes of Sean McMorrow and Brad Voth.

However, the 29 year old, who is not thought to have been offered a deal to return to Hull, will rejoin the CHL where he joined the Stingrays from last summer and where he is likely to be relied on more for his on-ice presence than the offensive numbers which coach Sylvain Cloutier and the EIHL on the whole require from non-British players. He will return to the CHL with an, as yet, unnamed team, where last time out he recorded two goals and two assists in over 50 games with Colorado and New Mexico, following a season in Hull in which he likely doubled his time on the ice during each game and improved as a player as a result.

Meanwhile, Hutchinson will return to the English Premier League (EPL) after a wholly disappointing spell at the Hull Arena. Big things were expected of 'Hutch' after he played a massive part in Peterborough's EPL championship winning side of 08/09, in which he contributed a huge 58 points in 54 games from the blueline, however, for whatever reason, be it the higher standard of competition or the Stingrays struggles, he neither troubled the scorers nor provided Cloutier with the defensive solidity required and like Knight, he was an unlikely returnee.

The favoured destination for the 26 year old North East native seems to be a return to Peterborough in an attempt to reignite the success of 08/09 under former Stingrays netminder Curtis Cruickshank, who has recently been named head coach of the Cambridgeshire based side.

While the Stingrays off-season news has so far been confined to the assumed return of coach Cloutier and Stephen Burns for the second year of their two year contracts, unlike messr Huppe, the rumoured re-signing of the better part of last seasons squad including Lee Mitchell, Craig Mitchell and Konstantin Kalmikov will likely come within the next week or two as Cloutier looks to build a squad capable of challenging and, at least, making the playoffs come April 2011.

Sanford finds a home in Odessa

Former Excel Hull Stingrays defenceman James Sanford has found a new team in the Central Hockey League (CHL) after being released from his Stingrays contract last month.

The New Brunswick native joined the Stingrays during an injury crisis and was signed to give the Stingrays more offensive capabilities from defence, while filling the gap on the blueline left by the departure of Ryan Jorde.

During his time in Britian, Sanford totalled an impressive two goals and ten assists in an 18 game stint before the return of Ukrainian defenceman Pavel Gomenyuk from injury forced Sylvain Cloutier to release one of his import defensive corps.

That man was Sanford, however, he has now signed for the Odessa Jackalopes in the Central Hockey League, the same team that former Stingray Stuart Kerr originally signed for in the summer.

The 25 year old has already chalked up two games for the Jackalopes, registering an assist and four shots with a -1 plus/minus rating, while Kerr is no longer with the team.

Stingray news

Defencemen Move On

Three of the Stingrays defensive corps from last season have now officially moved on to pastures new.

Canadians Aaron Wilson and Stuart Kerr, who both joined the team from the Central Hockey League's Austin Ice Bats, have signed for Holland's Heerenveen Flyers and the CHL's Odessa Jackalopes respectively.

Meanwhile Brit Richie Thornton, who iced just five times for the club last year, has re-joined Elite League rivals the Newcastle Vipers.

Kerr, who recommended friend Wilson to the club following Jonathan Bernier's sudden decision to quit, played just 24 games after a knee injury effectively ended his season in November. The club honourably stuck by the Canadian in the hope that he would return prior to seasons end, however that return frustratingly failed to materialise.

Kerr has returned to the CHL where he amassed seven points and 208 penalty minutes in 62 games in 07/08.

Wilson (left), in a tussle with Newcastle's Andre Payette

Wilson, 27, ended the season with career best figures of two goals and 17 assists in 50 games and became one of the few defencemen able to avoid injury, an attribute which made him an important part of the team during the Rays lowest moments.

However, his solid form early on soon deteriorated and his own goal against Edinburgh in the team's final game of the season summed up a disappointing spell with the club. He has followed in the footsteps of fellow former Stingray and Trenton Titan Cole Byers by signing in Heerenveen.

Pre-season Preparations Announced

The Stingrays last week announced a three way pre-season tournament which will take place the Hull Arena featuring Elite League rivals Nottingham Panthers and Dutch side Tilburg Trappers.

The tournament, which will occur on August Bank Holiday weekend (29-31), a week before the 09/10 Elite League season kicks off, will see the Stingrays face foreign opposition for the first time in their history, before Tilburg and Nottingham matchup on Sunday, with the Rays ending the tournament by taking on the Panthers in a re-match of one of last season's most heated rivalry's.

The Panthers are likely to start the season as one of the favourites for the Elite League title after the signing of Cameron Mann, a former NHLer of over 80 games and DEL player of eight years, and last season reached the EIHL Playoff Final.

Whilst Tilburg, from the Southern provinces of the Netherlands, have signed Japanese former LA Kings netminder Yukata Fukufuji and are seen as a real force in Dutch ice hockey, having won the Eredivise title in two of the past three seasons.

Ticket prices and further details on the tournament will be unveiled at a later date.

Brotherly Love

Finally, former Stingrays defenceman Kevin Phillips has pulled out of a deal to re-sign in the EPL with Slough Jets, where he produced 40 points last season, in order to replace his brother on the Elite League's Belfast Giants.

Brother Dave Phillips last month made a U-turn on his contract with the Giants to join the American Hockey League's Rockford Ice Hogs on a two-way contract with their ECHL affiliate, and after his departure the Giants approached brother Kevin to replace him.

Kevin left the Stingrays in 06/07 after a difficult season in which he recorded two points in 50 games in the Rays first EIHL season, whilst Dave left the Rays a year ago, however in his two seasons in the EPL with the Jets Kevin has combined for 54 points in 94 games.

Photo's courtesy: Arthur Foster

Stingrays finalise defence with Burns

Player-coach Sylvain Cloutier has completed the Excel Hull Stingrays defensive corps for his maiden Elite League season as coach with the signing of former Rio Grande Killer Bees defenceman Stephen Burns on a two-year deal.

The 24 year old, 6ft defenceman spent his rookie season, last term, with the Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League, recording two goals and six assists in 55 games whilst adding 94 penalty minutes.

Burns (right) v Laredo

He is highly regarded by former coaches in the CHL and NCAA, and although his stats suggest he will be a rock on the blueline, rather than a forward rushing offensive defenceman, Cloutier is adamant that he has the all around skills to be a highly effective defenceman in the Elite League.

"He is one of those guys who I got to see play last season in our 16 games against Rio Grande...He caught my eye because he competes every night and battles for his team-mates."

"I wanted him simply because he is my kind of player and he was always shutting down our top guys each time we played against him. Not only is he good defensively, he is also a great skater and will definitely put points up in the Elite league."

"He is young and hungry and wants to be here. He will be a great addition to our hockey club."

The Newmarket, Ontario native, who spent the early years of his junior career playing in his hometown, spent four years at Rocester Institute of Technology (RIT), combining his studies with playing hockey, and that is something that he will continue in Hull thanks to the Stingrays new link up with Doncaster Business School.

British Elite League teams have been using University link ups as bargaining tools against European clubs, who can offer more attractive exchange rates with the dollar, for a number of years now, however this is the first of such linkups for the Stingrays

Stingrays director Mike Pack spoke of the new affiliation:

"We're looking forward to developing our relationship with the business school in the future. It's a very progressive organisation and we hope our link-up will be very valuable in the years to come."

Burns joins returnee Pavel Gomenyuk, Brits Craig Mitchell and James Hutchinson, and Canadians, Adam Knight and Ryan Jorde, on the Stingrays blueline for the 09/10 EIHL season. Cloutier pronounced his happiness with the teams defensive unit, saying that they will be tough side to score against:

"With the defensive unit that we have put together, players will have to always pay a price to get to our net."

He now has one final signing, an import forward, to announce before rounding off his first off-season with news about the Stingrays pre-season training camp and fixtures, of which Cloutier has stated he wants as many as possible, in readiness for his first season in charge.

Kozak and Riddle to re-unite in OK?

Two former Excel Hull Stingrays who were axed early last season after equally controversial spells with the club may join forces once again next season after power forward Rick Kozak (right) was traded from the Central Hockey League's Laredo Bucks to the Tulsa Oilers, Jake Riddle's (left) side last term.

Kozak, who recorded 44 points in 43 games for Laredo after being mutually released from his Stingrays contract, was traded to the Oilers in exchange for two Tulsa players and may join up with Riddle, who last season scored 22 goals and 39 points in 52 games after leaving the Rays.

The pair became good friends whilst at the Stingrays and were rumoured to have caused various off-ice problems for former coach Rick Strachan.

Those issues subsequently came to a head just nine games into the Stingrays season, with Riddle having received numerous miscounduct penalties and having scored just four points, Strachan released the forward.

Kozak, who received a ten game ban in the teams first game of the season following an incident which resulted in Nottingham Panthers forward Marc Levers requiring 12 stitches to the forehead, then followed him out of the door after mutually agreeing to end his contract with owners Mike and Sue Pack.

Whilst rumours suggested that Kozak had been allowed to leave after expressing his anger at Riddle being sacked, others suggested that further off-ice troubles had forced the Stingrays hand.

Should Riddle re-sign in Oklahoma, the pair will team up again at the 17,000 capacity BOK Center in Tulsa for the 09/10 CHL season which begins in October.

Photos Courtesy: Arthur Foster and Hull Daily Mail

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

Huppe re-joins Cloutier at Stingrays

31 year old Canadian forward Curtis Huppe has once again joined up with friend and former team mate Sylvain Cloutier, by signing a two year contract as player-assistant coach with the Excel Hull Stingrays.

6'1 Huppe is no stranger to the Elite League having spent three seasons in Belfast and a season in Coventry with Cloutier, winning the EIHL title in both cities, whilst racking up an outstanding 104 goals and 116 assists in 177 games.

Last season, Huppe came out of a very brief retirement to sign for Cloutier in Corpus Christi of the Central Hockey League, scoring 14 points in a short 28 game stint for the club, however once Cloutier was released, Huppe quickly followed after a disappointing season.

This signing is a statement of intent from the Stingrays management that they will not only do their best to sign one of their best ever teams, but that they are building the club for a crucial two year push for success with both Huppe and Cloutier contracted for two years.

Known as one of the best snipers to play in the Elite League, with more than a goal every other game and at least a point a game in the EIHL, Huppe developed his defensive game under Coventry coach Paul Thompson after gaining a reputation as a one dimensional forward.

Next season Huppe will be expected to hit the back of the net, and often, as he will rack up huge minutes on the Rays first line, as well as time on the powerplay and penalty kill.

Stingrays co-owner, Sue Pack, had this to say about the signing of the Winnipeg, Manitoba native:

"Curtis will bring seniority and leadership to the Stingrays. He's a points scorer and a skilled guy. He has played alongside Sylvain before. They have a good working relationship and he is very excited to be coming over to Hull and being part of something new for him."

The new era under new player-coach Cloutier is beginning to generate an element of excitement amongst not only fans, but also players.

Cloutier's vast experience in North America and reputation as an honest, hardworking player seems to be translating well into his recruitment of players and he indicated that his friendship with Huppe was key to the coup.

"We have a very good working relationship and we get along really well .There is a lot of trust and respect between us, two parts that should be there when you work together. Curtis is a very well-rounded hockey player and one I can count on every night."

"Curtis is a huge component to our team, he brings a lot of respect to the Hull Stingrays organisation. He is a proven winner and he knows what it takes to succeed."

It would seem that the Stingrays next move will be to sign tough guy Andre Payette from the Newcastle Vipers after strong rumours suggest that the 33 year old forward has agreed terms, meanwhile Tommy Sandahl looks set to sign as the teams number one netminder.

Photos courtesy Kingdom of the Giants and Coventry Telegraph

Cloutier handed Stingrays job

35 year old Canadian Sylvain Cloutier has become the Excel Hull Stingrays second ever head coach after signing a two year contract as player-coach.

The native of Mont Laurier, Quebec, became the popular choice to succeed Rick Strachan in the last week but Cloutier was favourite for the job with co-owners Mike and Sue Pack as soon as they heard that he was interested in a return to the UK after his first coaching spell, in the CHL, ended after less than a year.

"Sylvain got in touch early in the process, pretty well at the same time as one or two people mentioned his name to us as someone who might be worth approaching."

"We said at the outset it was not about getting the first guy who contacted us, but getting the right guy. We almost said 'hang on, let's have a think' as it seemed, as far as we were concerned, we had the right guy almost straight away," said Mike Pack

As a veteran of over 1000 professional games, as well as a reputation as a driven, determined player, Cloutier brings a certain, win at all costs mentality, that was lacking under his predecessor.

That reputation is reflected in his impressive CV which boasts a number of championships, including two league titles in his two years in Coventry, seven games in the NHL with Chicago in 1998, 600+ games in the AHL and two over a point per game seasons in the EIHL with the Blaze.

Cloutier is the kind of player that the Stingrays have never had. Skillful but incredibly determined, and able to use his experience and personality to help motivate his teammates, something that should transfer into his role as coach.

With experience as head coach of the CHL's Corpus Christi Ice Rays, where his recorded ended at 21 wins, 25 losses after being dismissed in February, he has, albeit brief, experience of a head coaching role, but it is his vast experience on the ice and his style of play that is most exciting.

The signing of Cloutier will no doubt set off a whole host of rumours about who he may bring with him.

Last season he brought in his brother of over 300 NHL games, netminder Dan Cloutier, as assistant coach, as well as former Coventry and Belfast sniper, Curtis Huppe.

There is no doubt that these rumours will quickly emerge, but with the team on a tight budget, thought to be one of the lowest in the league, it will be difficult to bring in players of the quality of particularly his brother.

Mike Pack added to the Hull Daily Mail that Cloutier is understanding of the budget that the Stingrays are forced to run with:

"It will be his team, although clearly, as always, there will be a budget constraint determined by how successful the business is."

"We talked about that and he is comfortable with that."

The next question now is how many of last seasons squad will return for the new season. With Cloutier naturally wanting to bring in his own recruits, it could spell the end for many of last years team, with the futures of even the more impressive performers such as Kalmikov, Reynolds, Glowa, Slonina and Gomenyuk, in doubt.

And so begins an exciting new era in Stingrays hockey.

Kozak joins Laredo. The End.

After quitting the Excel Hull Stingrays it seems that Rick Kozak has finally found a new team. The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League (CHL) has signed Kozak to what is believed to be a one year deal. Here's what Laredo General Manager and Head Coach, Terry Ruskowski, had to say about Kozak:

"We needed a big, strong power forward to score goals and be tough. And that's what Kozak brings to us"

That sounds very familiar. As we all know it's whether he can avoid a ban long enough to score goals that is the problem.

Coming soon on F Block Blog, "Where are they now?" including all your favourites, Jonathan Bernier, Jake Riddle, Rick Kozak, Craig Minard, Paul Cabana and many more.

Rays replace Kozak with veteran Thompson.

The Excel Hull Stingrays have replaced forward Rick Kozak, with Canadian left winger Jamie Thompson, who was expected to fly into the country today.

Thompson, 34, played last season with the Austin Ice Bats, on the same team as both Aaron Wilson and Stuart Kerr, and recorded 24 points in 54 games after previously sitting out the 06/07 season.

Prior to his year long spell in Austin, Thompson spent four seasons in the UHL with Elmira, Quad City and Danbury Thrashers, where he recorded just under 130 points in 145 games.

The 6'0 forward also has extensive time in what is regarded as the worlds second best league behind the NHL, where he spent three seasons spanning from 1998 to 2002, in that time scoring 58 points.

However, despite time in the AHL, the glowing light on Thompsons resume is most certainly the 1997/98 season with El Paso Buzzards. In his 71 game season with the WPHL team (a league that was replaced by the Central Hockey League),Thompson scored 71 goals and added 52 assists for huge total of 122 points, during his sides successful defence of the WPHL title.

The Stingrays will not be Thompson's first action of the season having attended Norfolk Admirals (AHL) training camp, and also having initially signed to play for ECHL side Augusta Lynx.

Whilst it seems, from first impressions, that Rick Kozak's replacement may not make as big a physical impact on the ice, he will most certainly make it on the scoreboard, a 71 goal season speaking volumes. With the team nearing full strength, with Stuart Kerrs foot injury not as bad as first feared and Slava Koulikov slowly nearing fitness, the Stingrays now have a chance to build on two impressive results over the weekend, with a victory over Newcastle and a tight loss to the high flying Manchester Phoenix.

Stingrays coach Rick Strachan had this to say of Thompson's signing:

"Stuart [Kerr] and Aaron [Wilson] tell me he's a veteran guy with tonnes of experience. He's a hardworking, honest hockey player, who's very fast and has a good shot. He will play the body, can be physical if he needs to be and has good skill.I'm not worried, 34 isn't old any more. I'm told he's in great shape, is still super-fast and a good player."

Furthermore, adding:

"Jamie's a ten year veteran in good leagues and we needed a left wing that can score goals and he has done that throughout his career. He will bring a good work ethic with him and there is no doubt that he will make this team and club better. It didn't take a lot, Kerr and Willi spoke to him then I gave him a call and it was sorted in three minutes. I said this is what we've got to give and he says he's coming."

His previous coach in Austin, Brent Hughes, said:

"Jamie will be one of our most experienced players, and he's a pure goal scorer. We're looking to him to be one of our top scorers this season. He has AHL experience and leadership which he'll bring to our club, so we're very excited to have him."

Finally, former teammate, Stuart Kerr, had this to say:

"Tommo is a young guy. He's a hard-nosed player, and played a lot of games in the AHL. He's really fast, and plays a lot like Jeff Glowa in that he's not afraid to get in the corners and will score some big goals for us. Tommo is a big addition and will help us win games and keep us in the play-off hunt."

"Jamie didn't need much persuading. Aaron and I played alongside him last year at the Ice Bats so we made the phone call and asked him what he was doing. He said 'nothing right now', so we talked to Rick Strachan and Rick researched him. He's not coming over for two months and then leaving"

"Jamie and I talked a couple of days ago and he wants to get over here and play some hockey."

F Block Blog is back.

As the internet here at F Block Blog towers is working again here's a wee update as to what has happened in its brief absence:

27/09- Stingrays lost 7-3 in Sheffield against the Steelers. Stingray goals came from Jake Riddle, Matt Reynolds and Lee Mitchell.

28/09- A credible 2-2 draw at home to the Nottingham Panthers in the Challenge Cup left coach Rick Strachan "super proud". Stingray goals came from Jason Kostadine and Steve Slonina.

30/09- Aaron Wilson signed on to replace the departed Jonathan Bernier. Wilson is 6'4, 220lbs and was defensive partner of Stingrays defenceman Stuart Kerr last season.

03/10- Jake Riddle was released by the Stingrays for on ice indiscipline following a series of 10 minute misconduct penalties which led to him being the Stingrays leader in PIMs (52).

04/10- Ukrainian forward, Konstantin Kalmikov, who has spent extensive time in North America, signed on for the Stingrays to replace Jake Riddle.

04/10- The Stingrays were once again defeated by the Steelers, with Sheffield taking a 5-2 victory in Hull. Stingray goals came from Jason Kostadine and Lee Esders.

07/10- It was confirmed by the Stingrays management that an appeal to have Rick Kozak's ban reduced was successful and that he will now face Nottingham in a crunch match on Saturday night in Hull.

Big signing....Rick Kozak signs straight from NHL contract

This time you did read it right. Philadelphia Flyers 3rd round pick in the 2003 NHL Draft, Rick Kozak, has signed for the Excel Hull Stingrays 08/09 EIHL season.

Kozak, who was contracted to the NHL New York Rangers, on a 3 year two way contract, until last year, signs straight from the Memphis Riverkings, where he was assigned by the Rangers, and will step straight into the Stingrays lineup as one of the most anticipated signings in Stingrays history.

Kozak doing what, some people believe, he does best for Memphis

Kozak is a notorious power forward who isn't afraid to drive to the net, fight, score goals or rough it up, a "complete player" Strachan says:

"He fits perfectly into the theme of the team" confirmed Strachan. "He had 200 penalty minutes last year, he's a big, physical guy and that can lead to the odd scrap. But there's the other side to him too as he knows where the net is. He's a complete hockey player."

It is certainly a signing unheard of in Stingrays history as this team looks like it will be rougher and tougher than ever. Kozak brings undoubted player ability as a draftee to the NHL, and that just 5 years ago, and whilst he has spent much of his time in the lower reaches of hockey, namely the ECHL and CHL, it has usually been his ocassional off ice blip and differences with coaches, mainly in Charlotte, ECHL, that have kept him from establishing himself as a real NHL prospect.

In fact a player that he has linked up with at WHL, with Prince Albert, and in AHL, with Hartford, has been the main catalyst for his relegation down the leagues. That name, Dane Byers, brother of former Stingray Cole. In junior with Prince Albert they formed a brilliant partnership as two, big power forwards. Byers was later drafted by the NHL organisation that Kozak was at, New York, and since then it has seen Byers rack up 40+ point seasons in the AHL whilst Kozak has been sent to Charlotte, ECHL, and Memphis/Mississippi, CHL.

It is guaranteed, like so many other players who will come for their first EIHL season, that their points production will increase three fold, sometimes more. This should most certainly be the fact with Kozak, with formerly NHL level talent and skating ability, he will challenge the scorers in the league but only if he ticks one box. Staying out of the penalty box, possibly a difficult task with a player that has 26 fights in 3 professional seasons. But perhaps that is the player he is and maybe he would'nt score as many goals if he did'nt have that style to his game. Only time will tell what role he takes on the team.



Below I have gathered some information from various sources about his drafting to the NHL, his NHL level talent and his chances of being an NHLer.

Initial signing for New York:

“Rick is an aggressive, gritty player who is very difficult to play against”, said Sather in making the announcement. “He showed great improvement throughout the season and played very well for Prince Albert in the playoffs. His combination of size, toughness and skill make him an excellent prospect for our organization.”

Rookie Rick Kozak, out three months with a thumb injury, scored a goal in his return Tuesday against Columbia. It was his first professional goal, and teammate Brandon Cullen corralled the puck as a souvenir for Kozak, a New York Rangers' farmhand.

"He's a big power winger that has ability to score some goals," Wilkinson said. "And he gets the ugly ones. Banging in a rebound in front the net, knocking a guy down going to the front of the net. ... Once he gets in better shape, he should be able to sustain that contact.

The official statement on why he was sent to the CHL:

"It was determined by the Rangers, Checkers and Rick that Charlotte was not the appropriate place for him to continue his career"

"Rick Kozak, one of the younger members of the 2003 draft class, got better and better as the season went along. Pointless and bad penalty prone in his first four games for Brandon after coming over from Prince George, he improved steadily thereafter and his solid playoff performance raised hopes that the aggressive rookie has only begun to tap his abilities. A relatively obscure player coming out Swan Valley in Manitoba Junior Hockey League, Kozak earned his keep in his first WHL season by throwing his weight around and going to the net; which earned him powerplay time for the Wheat Kings."

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/6083/flyers2003_nhl_entry_draft_review/

"A rough and ready forward, Kozak began his career with perhaps too much aggression, but has since learned to control it better. A willing combatant, Kozak is also not afraid of driving to the net and using the body to take or even receive hits. With above average skating and a solid top speed, his biggest drawback is his limited offensive ability, which will likely limit his potential to a third or fourth line grinding forward."

http://www.outsidethegarden.com/prospectprofile.asp?PID=80

And the Hull Daily Mail confirmed that there will be more signings next week "both imports and British players"

Certainly an exciting time to be a Stingrays fan.

6'3 defenceman signs.

6'3, according the hockey db, but actually 6'4, defenceman Stuart Kerr has signed for the Stingrays for the 2008/09 season after a season with the Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League. The defensive defenceman, who can also drop the gloves, from Cranbrook, Manitoba, follows in the wake of Jonathan Bernier, also from the CHL, who signed on Wednesday.

Kerr, who attended AHL training camp with Mancheter Monarchs in 2005 prior to 2 seasons in the ECHL, recorded 7 points in a career high 62 games with the Ice Bats along with 208 PIMs. As per this seasons theme Kerr dropped the mitts 12 times last season to go with his 6 fights in his 2 seasons and 77 games in the ECHL with Pensacola, Long Beach and Reading Royals, where he was sent down after his unsuccessful AHL training camp.

Kerrs fighting abilities stem back from his junior career in the notoriously rough Western Hockey League, where in 4 seasons with 3 teams he fought 52 times including a bout with NHL bound Dion Phaneuf, now with the Calgary Flames. Along the way in his ECHL career he also fought Newcastle bound Joel Irving.

Once again coach Rick Strachan has continued his "intimidating" mentality for the 2008-09 season however it is believed that Kerr possesses significant playing abilities, enough to obviously, to get him noticed in the AHL. Strachan will apparently allow Kerr to rack up minutes on the second line of defence and will rely on his playing abilities rather than his clear toughness. Although that clear toughness should come in useful.