Scott becomes second to Jet off as Stingrays await ice-time deal

British defenceman Dan Scott has today become the second player and second blueliner to depart the Hull Stingrays this off-season, leaving to return to the English Premier League with the Slough Jets.

The Kent born Great Britain junior international joined the Rays from the EPL's Telford Tigers a year ago looking to further a young career that had already seen him play in North America and six times in the Elite League with Coventry.

Starting the year in his natural position on the blueline, Scott was ousted into the club's fifth defensive spot early in the year by Sam McCluskey - who already had a full season in the Elite League under his belt. Having struggled to hold down a regular spot on D, the Brit paid the price for some poor defensive performances as a team, and was shifted up front for the remainder of the year.

However, this was by no means a reflection on his potential abilities, more a reflection on his inexperience and the fact the Stingrays defensive frailties meant they weren't able to carry a young defenceman. In reverting to a forward as a young, promising but inexperienced defenceman Scott followed in the footsteps of former Hull defensive prospects Dave Phillips and Stevie Lee - who have since gone on to top four clubs, Great Britain caps and, in the case of Phillips, an AHL berth.

Much like Phillips during his stint as a forward in 2003 as a 16 year, Scott's strength and enthusiasm were the Brits two standout attributes and, though he failed to cut it on this occasion, chances are he will return to the EIHL sooner rather than later. As a popular member of the squad and favourite with fans, his rasping shot and the only goal of his Stingrays stay - which saw him record two points in 58 games - against Coventry was met with delight all-around.

The now 20 year old undoubtedly requires some seasoning and plenty of ice-time in order to aid his development and build on the shoots of positivity shown in 11/12, and that is something the second tier EPL can provide.

He has joined a Slough Jets side now coached by former Stingray Slava Koulikov - who left the club in 2009 and attempted a takeover of the Stingrays alongside Godrey Burley this summer.

The 33 year old is entering his fourth consecutive season in the EPL and first as coach - following in the footsteps of his father Alexandr who recently took over as coach of the Ukrainian national team.

Koulikov was happy to confirm the deal saying:

Danny is a great upcoming defenceman. I have talked to many coaches about him and they all agree that already he has every ability necessary. He is strong, is a good skater and he makes a great first pass. He is a professional, every one I've spoken to agrees. When I spoke to him on the phone he impressed on me his professionalism, he wants to take his hockey as far as he can. He has the ability to be one of the top guys, he is willing to work hard to do that and I expect him to be one of our outstanding players this season."

Meanwhile Scott was "really happy" to have signed with the current EPL Playoff Champions stating:

"From what I'm hearing we're putting together a good team and I'm looking forward to fitting in and helping the team carry on from where they left off last year and hopefully achiving great things. I'm looking forward to carrying on my development while playing for the Jets and this is good for me as it's a lot closer to home than I've been for the last couple of years. I can't wait to get started."

Scott becomes the second member of the Stingrays 11/12 squad to depart this summer following fellow defenceman Dmitri Rodin's decision to drop down to the second tier to ice for the Sheffield Steeldogs. The pair may not be the only two to leave for more ice-time in the EPL this off-season with forwards Matty Davies and Andy McKinney also allegedly considering the move.

The Stingrays remain in limbo for the 12/13 EIHL campaign as new owners Nic Gough and Bobby McEwan - who have had their takeover bid accepted by former owners at the Coventry Blaze - continue to await an outcome from Hull City Council's decision regarding Hull Arena ice-time.

A positive decision is believed to be imminent, however, the pair must await confirmation before making any concrete plans on a coach, players, sponsors and season tickets, and this has so far proven costly on the recruitment front.

Update: A fans forum with McEwan and Gough is to be held at the Hull Arena at 7.30pm on Thursday 31st May with details of the upcoming season.

Scott becomes second to Jet off

Young defenceman Dan Scott has today become the second player to depart the Hull Stingrays this off-season, leaving to return to the English Premier League with the Slough Jets.

More soon...

Hull Stingrays 11/12 Season Review: At The Back

Netminders

#53 Christian Boucher

64GP 3.84GAA 89.sv% (3GP 4.88GAA 88.2sv.%)

Grade: A

28 year old Boucher answered his first season critics in a big way this term after a mediocre first season. Though he's not necessarily the kind of netminder to win you a game all on his own, his consistently solid performances generally gave the club a fighting chance from the drop of the puck.  The netminder - who faced a league high 4,438 shots - proved during outstanding 56 and 53 save winning efforts over Dundee in October and Cardiff in November that he is capable of the odd match winning performance. Indeed, after helping the Rays through to the EIHL Semi-Finals thanks to two brilliant performances against Sheffield in the Quarter Finals, the Ottawa native was particularly unfortunate to be between the pipes as the Rays were thrashed 10-3 in that first ever Final Four appearance. During his two years in the UK Boucher has proved he is a more than capable netminder at EIHL level and a much liked member of the Stingrays. While open to a return, whether he re-signs for a third season is very much dependent on both the status of the club and whether the rumoured addition of a new netminder comes to fruition.

#30 Andy Brummit

4GP 3.65GAA 91.7sv.%

Grade: C

With Boucher injury free and in fine form for much of the year, 18 year old backup Brummit's chances were limited in the Elite League. Restricted to just four appearances, he appeared to do well for such a young backstop during his bit-part appearances when called upon, notably turning away 17 shots against the Dundee Stars on the final day of the regular season, and that despite conceding on his first shot. The big advantage of having a senior ENL side closely linked to the Rays EIHL side was that the backup was offered the opportunity to regularly turn out in the third tier of British hockey - where he iced in 19 games posting a 91.6sv.% as the ENL Rays ended the year 4th in ENL North 2. Certainly an able back up and prospect for the future, there would be few, if any complaints were Brummitt to return for a second season.

Also dressed: Liam Jackson, Ben Bowns.

Defencemen

#8 Kurtis Dulle

58GP 36+25 10PIM (3GP 0+4 2PIM)

Grade: B-

Rays fans reluctantly said goodbye to Dulle last summer as the Canadian signalled his intention to end his career following a short spell in the Australian Ice Hockey League. With the Rays struggling and unconvinced by life post-hockey, the Saskatchewan native ended that short lived retirement in November and his offensive abilities from defence immediately helped the Rays to their longest win streak of the year, just 3 games. His offence generating first pass and skating abilities from the back came as a huge help to a team that generally lacked such attributes, while naming the 32 year old captain - following the release of Joshua Mizerek - provided a welcome boost to team morale. However, despite the many positives to his return, the defenceman's game remained riddled with minor penalties - not that he would change this aspect of his game at such a late stage - and, for the most penalised team in the league, this was more often than not costly. Unlike last summer, Dulle has refused to rule out a return to the ice for another year - be it in Hull or not - instead he looks intent on biding his time and making a decision closer to pre-season.

#19 Sam McCluskey

61GP 1+5 58PIM (3GP 0+0 4PIM)

Grade: B+

One of the club's most solid defencemen come the season's end, the 21 year old Scot grew into his role with the Rays - having edged out Dan Scott for a regular shift on defence. Much like former defensive prospects Dave Phillips and Stevie Lee that have passed through the Stingrays in recent times - McCluskey exuded confidence for such a young defenceman and was very rarely panicked into making a rash decisons. Sure there were mistakes, no player is perfect, but at 21 years of age McCluskey's mental and physical attributes belied his age. Given a few more years in the EIHL - be it with the Rays or Stars or elsewhere - the Dundee born defenceman and Stingrays British Player of the Year will surely be bound for a Great Britain berth.

#6 Martin Ondrej

57GP 2+14 73PIM (3GP 0+1 6PIM)

Grade: C-

Probably one of the club's biggest question marks defensively, Slovakian Ondrej was all too often caught high on the offensive blueline early in the year, unable to provide the pace to cover any player that knocked the puck around him high up the ice. At times questionable positionally, he was rumoured to be one of the players up for release prior to Christmas alongside eventually releasee Mizerek following a number of poor performances. However, unlike the American, the 28 year old began to turn things around, keeping his game simple, and he eventually improved the defensive side of his game enough to stave of release. The Semi Final loss to Nottingham aside, he ended the season putting in arguably his two best performances of the year in the two legged Playoff Quarter-Final's against Sheffield. Given his initial fallacies defensively, it seems highly unlikely he would be signed for a second year in Hull or the Elite League, though, provided he can keep his game simple, a spot in the EPL would not necessarily be completely out of the question.

#7 Dmitri Rodin

51GP 9+18 101PIM (3GP 0+1 4PIM)

Grade: B

Equally adept be it with a big shot from the blueline or on a breakaway in the shootout, Rodin - the Stingrays leading pointscoring defenceman this season - was probably the club's biggest surprise signing. At 37, expectations were admittedly low for the largely unknown Estonian, however, though he may have lost a step or two of pace, he proved he hasn't lost any skill during his 18 years as a professional. Alongside McCluskey, Rodin was the Rays standout defenceman and, indeed, one of the club's most consistent performers, and he was rewarded for his performances over the season with Defenceman of the Year at the Stingrays End of Season awards. He topped off a successful first season in the UK by captaining Estonia to the IIHF World Championships Division II title in Iceland in April - in the process promoting them back to the third tier in international ice hockey. Though, he would be a welcome returnee in Hull despite his age, rumours earlier in the off-season alleged he had been offered a deal to sign in the English Premier League with Andre Payette's Sheffield Steeldogs.

#13 Dan Scott

58GP 1+1 27PIM (3GP 0+0 0PIM)

Grade: C-

The Kent born defenceman started the year - his first in the EIHL - receiving semi-regular minutes on the blueline but was ousted following the standout performances of the more experienced McCluskey. Having failed to convince Cloutier as a D-man, Scott was reverted to forward mid-season and gradually improved throughout the year. Though at 20 he understandably needs some further seasoning to make it as an Elite League defenceman, there are undoubtedly shoots of positivity there for Scott - who bagged a much deserved first EIHL goal against Dundee. Though he may yet return to the EIHL, it seems more likely that next season he will seek that extra seasoning in the EPL - where he previously turned out for Telford.

MIA: Joshua Mizerek (D- - Poor, signing came 2 years too late for Rays)
Also dressed: Thomas Jeffrey, Ryan Johnson, Tom Ralph, James Pease

Defenceman Scott is first new face for 11/12

18 year old defensive prospect Daniel Scott has today joined the Excel Hull Stingrays for their 11/12 Elite League campaign. The Great Britain junior international joins the Rays having spent the majority of his rookie 10/11 season with the English Premier League's Telford Tigers, having also made his debut in the top flight while on a two-way contract with the Elite League's Coventry Blaze.

Scott recorded just one goal and three assists in 48 games with Telford on his return to the country this season having spending two years at Northwood School, an American high school specialising in hockey based on the edge of Lake Placid, New York. The Kent born defenceman, who originates from the Invicta junior setup, netted his lone league goal of 10/11 and the first of his professional career in the Shropshire club's final game of the year against the Guildford Flames as the Tigers finished eight points out of a playoff spot.

The blueliner is thought to be a real prospect for the British game having followed up two years in North America with that solid year in Telford which included a two-way six game stint at the Coventry Blaze. Although he recorded just four points in the EPL and failed to register in the Elite League, he made a good impression all season long for such a young player, and played regular minutes on his lone visit to the Hull Arena in Coventry's 7-2 triumph in mid-March

He went on to cap a good first senior season in the sport by playing a big part in England's 10-0 win over Scotland at the National Ice Centre prior to this year's Elite League Playoff Final between the Cardiff Devils and Nottingham Panthers. Neither appearance in Hull nor Nottingham went unnoticed by Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier:

"I am really excited to have Daniel on board. We saw him play for Coventry in Hull at the end of the season and he showed what a level-headed player he is. I saw him play for England at the Final Four weekend and he really stood out. I am excited to have him on board. Daniel is an up-and-coming kid and I want to help him develop his game and hopefully one day he will play for the GB national team."

Cloutier went on to describe the 6'0, 179lbs defenceman's strengths:

"Daniel is very calm and composed on the puck, he is a big kid and a good skater who has a lot of potential. He will add size to our back-end and he will be getting plenty of ice time at the top level and he needs to take advantage of that."

Scott comes to the club as what is thought will be a direct replacement for Scottish defenceman Craig Mitchell, who unceremoniously ended his two-year spell at the club at the tail of of last season after a disagreement behind closed doors over a wrist injury that limited him to 25 games.

Mitchell ended his stay at the club having iced in 77 games for the club, netting two goals while adding 12 assists, and his departure also saw brother Lee Mitchell leave Hull after six seasons, 225 appearances and 153 points.

Given the brothers departure and the decrease in import limit from 12 to 10 for the Stingrays next season, the club is likely to need a new influx of British talent this summer with no fewer than three new British signings required on top of the capture of Scott. That is of course assuming fellow Brits Ryan Lake, Lee Esders, Andy Hirst, Ben Lowe and Andy Jaszczyk all remain with the club for another year as is largely expected.