Stingrays release Squires

The Hull Stingrays have today announced the release of British forward Tom Squires.

The 23 year old forward has been sidelined since 7th December when he was hit in the face by a puck while sat on the bench during the Stingrays shootout triumph in Fife.

The incident saw him rushed to A&E and receive internal and external stitches on his eye, however, the resulting blood clot on his eye has remained and he has been out of action since.

It is believed that the Brit was nearing a return to action and that his release was based on both his form - with Sam Towner ably slotting in on the third line during his absence - and the Stingrays financial circumstances - with the club unwilling to ice a player of Squires experience as 10th forward.  The timing of the release will also allow Squires to find a new club prior to the upcoming transfer deadline.

Prior to the injury Squires - who recorded seven goals and 19 assists in 44 games last season having joined from English Premier League side the Sheffield Steeldogs - had been struggling for form on the club's third line, recording just one assist in 25 games this season.


UPDATE: The Sheffield Steeldogs confirmed the re-signing of hometown forward Squires on Wednesday 29th January. He returns to the club whom he originally joined the Stingrays from partway through last season.

Suderman quits Stingrays

Matt Suderman has today quit the Hull Stingrays citing abuse from fans - primarily but not exclusively online - and the poor standard of refereeing in the Elite League as his reasons for leaving the club.

Suderman - who was the Stingrays captain - leaves having registered just one point and amassed 115 penalty minutes in 22 games for the club.

Campbell released by Stingrays; banned for 47 games

The Hull Stingrays today released import forward Derek Campbell with immediate effect following an off-ice incident in the Stingrays 2-1 loss to the Dundee Stars on Saturday. Shortly after being released by the club, the Elite Ice Hockey League announced that Campbell had been banned for a total of 47 games following a review of the incident.

The 33 year old - who had been one of the club's standout players so far this season - received a match penalty for excessive roughness 54.55 into the game and was ejected having reacted to a hit from Dundee forward Nico Sacchetti - who received a game misconduct for boarding on the hit and was also ejected.

Having both been ejected, Campbell then decided against heading straight to the changing room in order to confront Sacchetti again, this time off-ice close to the Dundee dressing room. An altercation subsequently broke out with the unsavory incident seeing some fans caught up in the middle attempting to break it up.

Campbell was given an automatic one game suspension after receiving the match penalty for excessive roughness as per Elite League rules, ruling him out of the return leg in Dundee on Sunday - which the Stingrays lost 3-2.

However, the Stingrays have today decided to release the player following his actions.

On releasing Campbell - who had recorded four goals and six assists in 12 games this season - Stingrays owner and assistant coach Bobby McEwan said:

"I just felt we had to make the decision, and not let it drag on until the end of the week, so I called Derek and let him know. What he did on the ice in reaction to the challenge is part and parcel of the game, but I can't condone what happened off it, it's a business decision."

McEwan revealed to BBC Radio Humberside Campbell's reaction to the decision to release him:

"He's very disappointed and he understands it was a decision that we just had to make."

The EIHL launched reviews of both the on-ice and off-ice incident on Saturday and have subsequently today banned Campbell for a total of 47 games. 

The 47 game ban comprises of 15 games for fighting off-ice, 12 games for an attempted eye-gouge, 10 games for a knee to the head and a further 10 games for excessive force to the head resulting in impact to the ice.

Upon announcing the ban, Elite League Head of Discipline Moran Hanson said:

"There are many aspects to this serious incident and that is why I have broken it down into separate sections. I have studied the game tape in great detail and I have spoken with the three officials, who all were able to give me detailed reports. This is a very nasty incident and there is no place for any of these actions in our sport."

It is believed that the Stingrays were unaware of the length of Campbell's ban prior to releasing him today. However, if they had chosen to keep him on the roster, he would return from his ban on Saturday 15th March, ironically, against the Dundee Stars.

The last question remaining from the whole incident is now whether Campbell's ban applies to both he and one of the Stingrays import roster spots he filled or whether the ban remains only with the player should he ever return to the Elite League.

As the Stingrays have chosen to release Campbell from his contract it is thought that they will be able to replace him with a further import forward should they chose to, though this has yet to be confirmed by the club or the league. Sheffield's David Simms has suggested on Twitter that the Stingrays would have to play an import short for the full 47 game term but could appeal to the other nine Elite League clubs if they wished to replace Campbell. They would then have the final say on whether the ban applied to the import slot or not.

As it stands, it seems highly likely the ban may have marked the end of the Canadian's career, if not at least his career in the Elite League - which spanned over eight seasons, five clubs, 346 games, 110 goals, 224 assists, 334 points and, perhaps most memorably for some of the wrong reasons, 1434 penalty minutes.

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.

Huttel injury hits Stingrays on eve of pre-season

Hull Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier is on the lookout for a second late replacement ahead of the 2013/2014 Elite League season following the news that American defenceman Chad Huttel has been sidelined with a shoulder injury and now will not join the club for the upcoming campaign.

Photo - Sheffield Steelers

The revelation that Huttel will now not be joining up with his new squad comes just 24 hours after it was announced that Sean Muncy had been replaced by Carl Lauzon due to as yet unknown issues.

24 year old Huttel was due to join the Stingrays after a season out of the sport having sustained a shoulder injury prior to last season while on a try-out with the Central Hockey League's Fort Worth Brahmas.

It would appear that the former Sheffield Steeler has recently suffered a setback with that shoulder injury thanks to a freak accident and now faces up to three months out. Whether he will return to the sport following what will be more than a year out of the sport a remains to be seen.

Of the disappointment for both club and player, Cloutier told the Hull Daily Mail:

"Chad was ready and everything was going well but he had a freak accident. I think he'll be out for two or three months with a shoulder problem. It's disappointing for him and for us but at least he was honest and told us he was injured and not going to be able to come over."

He also added that, while he has had at least one deal for a replacement defenceman fall through and does have one option readily available to him, he may yet opt to replace Huttel with another forward.

That decision would leave the Stingrays with four import defenceman - Matt Suderman, Martin Ondrej, Omar Pacha and Jeff Smith - and three Brits - Scott Robson, Jamie Chilcott and two-way signing Tom Ralph.

Though that is a relatively healthy defensive stable, an injury or suspension to one of the imports exposes either Chilcott or Robson to significant ice time at a relatively young age. Both players are highly thought of by Cloutier and the Stingrays, and they may yet be good enough to handle that ice-time were the situation arise, however, it is a big risk to take.

A lot will surely ride on how Chilcott and Robson perform against the Edinburgh Capitals and Sheffield Steeldogs in pre-season prior to Cloutier making a decision on who to bring in.

An extra import forward would give the Stingrays real depth offensively with 12 players or four lines but it seems unlikely they would regularly utilise four lines with 16 year old Lee Bonner being one of those three. The alternative to that were another forward signed would be to potentially semi-regularly bench three forwards.

If that were to occur, unless Cloutier spends more time on the bench as he nears potential retirement, that would more than likely mean least experienced forwards Bonner, Sam Towner and Bobby Chamberlain would spend increased time on the bench.

In the case of Chamberlain - who has continued his progression and has notably bulked up during his season away  - that seems particularly unlikely.

With defenceman Smith able to revert to forward if required for injuries or suspensions - provided it is a defenceman added for Huttel - all signs point to a like-for-like replacement but, for Cloutier, it may depend on what is available, for what price and in what time frame.

Meanwhile, new signings Suderman, Pacha and forward Guillaume Doucet all took to the ice with their new squad today.

Photo - Hull Daily Mail

The trio will make their debuts tomorrow night against the Edinburgh Capitals at the Hull Arena, although yesterday's addition Lauzon is still awaiting his visa to travel to the country and may not make his debut until next Wednesday at home to the Sheffield Steeldogs.

Cloutier also revealed to the Hull Daily Mail today that Lauzon - who he sees as "more of a set-up guy" - may ice alongside Guillaume Doucet and Jereme Tendler.

That could potentially leave a line of Jason Silverthorn, Derek Campbell and Matty Davies, and a third line of himself, Tom Squires and Bobby Chamberlain with Bonner and Towner the two extras.

Rays swap Muncy for Lauzon in late switch

The Hull Stingrays have been forced to make a late switch to their roster ahead of the 2013/14 Elite League season with import Sean Muncy being replaced by Carl Lauzon.

The reasons for the switch are as yet unknown, however, it is believed that 28 year old forward Muncy informed the club he would not be joining them for the upcoming 13/14 season - which begins in two days with a pre-season fixture against the Edinburgh Capitals.

Nevertheless, the Rays have moved quickly to fill the void left by Muncy's departure with the signature of, arguably, a better player in 26 year old Lauzon from Chamonix of the French Ligue Magnus.

Of course, whether that is the case remains to be seen but what is true is that Canadian forward Lauzon will move to the UK from a more reputable league (three years in France v 1 in CHL, German fourth tier and Holland), with a better goalscoring record and with more professional experience - despite being two years younger - than the player he is replacing.

In fact, the only area whereby the Rays may lose out in this switch is the club's perceived lack of height with Muncy standing at 6'0 and Lauzon at 5'9.

Lauzon's pointscoring pedigree is by far the biggest bonus in the switch though. In both his junior and professional career, the Montreal, Quebec native has never failed to drop below point-a-game form .

As a junior Lauzon racked up 325 points in 183 games in the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League, although, admittedly, the QJAAAHL in the second tier of junior hockey in Quebec, one below the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Regardless of the level, Lauzon dominated with closing in on two points a game.

In his first two seasons as a professional, Lauzon went above and beyond that two-point-a-game level recording an astounding 72 goals and 126 points in 52 games, albeit in the second tier in France with Avignon - where he unsurprisingly topped the league's points scoring chart in 08/09 with 71 points and was named league All-Star during both seasons.

His impressive scoring rate in the French second division earned him a contract with French top flight side Chamonix in 2010 and he went on to continue that form in league, cup and playoff competition.

During his first year in the French Alps, Lauzon hit 21 goals - a three year high and fifth most in the league - and 39 points from 26 games as his side finished eighth of 14 sides in Ligue Magnus. He re-signed for a second season in 11/12 and added a further 14 goals and 33 points as Chamonix finished third in the league before losing out to Grenoble in the playoff semi-finals - with Lauzon recording five goals and seven points in eight games.

In what would turn out to be his fifth and final season in France, the French-Canadian played alongside fellow new Stingray Omar Pacha, scoring 11 goals - a three year low - while also hitting a three year high in points (45), ending the year as fourth highest pointscorer in the country. Chamonix again progressed to the playoffs having finished fourth but - despite Lauzon recording nine points in seven games -  were shocked in the Quarter Finals losing their five game series 3-2 to 12th seed Epinal.

He ended a very productive spell in the French top flight and indeed France with 46 goals and 117 points in 78 games, giving him an outstanding points-per-game ratio of 1.5 in a league of similar stature to the Elite League albeit significantly shorter in length at 26 games.

An undoubted scoring force at every level he has played at so far, Lauzon's agent, 9 Hockey Management, describes notes his strengths:

"Carl Lauzon is good smooth skating forward who has very good open ice awareness which allows him to bring his team-mates into the game. With a natural touch around the net, Carl has excelled in every league he has played in. A finesse type player, Carl also is fast and uses his quick foot speed to accelerate away from opposition players."

On what will hopefully be his final signing for the 13/14 season, Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier said:

"I am really pleased to be able to pick up Carl. He played on the same team as Omar Pacha last year and he is a skilled player who will add a lot of offence to the line-up. He also played against Guillaume Doucet last season and both players had nothing but good things to say about Carl. He is someone who competes every night and I'm delighted he is joining us."

There are no doubts that Lauzon has been brought in to provide the Stingrays with additional offensive punch. The only questions around his signing will no doubt be how will he compare to Muncy, where in the line-up he will fit in and, indeed, how the side will line-up?

Jason Silverthorn, Derek Campbell and, to a lesser extent, Jereme Tendler all perfectly linked up during the 11/12 campaign, so the inclination may be for Cloutier to reunite them for the upcoming season.

That would leave Lauzon, fellow signing from France Guilllaume Doucet and last season's British revelation Matty Davies at 5'9, 5'9 and 5'6 respectively. That lack of height may dissuade any such line-up and force Cloutier to break up the Silverthorn-Campbell-Tendler partnership. Although it will surely be difficult to break up Silverthorn and Campbell after their chemistry last time around, that may be required in order to spread the club's offence throughout the line-up.

It seems unlikely that the answers to those questions will come and also that Lauzon will make his debut in Wednesday's first pre-season fixture against the Edinburgh Capitals given the timing of his signing announcement. Nevertheless, he should play a part in pre-season prior to the Stingrays 13/14 Elite League season facing off on Saturday 7th September against the Nottingham Panthers and those questions will, no doubt, also be answered in due course.

CARL LAUZON by kikinou84

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.

Lovdahl and Rodin retirement confirmed; Doucet set to sign?

In an interview with the Hull Daily Mail, Hull Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier confirmed on Thursday that defencemen Shane Lovdahl and Dmitri Rodin would not be returning to the club next season and will likely be retiring from the sport this summer.

38 year old Rodin re-joined the Stingrays in January after starting the year in the English Premier League between the Sheffield Steeldogs and Telford Tigers - where he notched just one goal and four assists in 27 games in the second tier.

The offensive defenceman - who possesses a big slapshot and even bigger hip check, which typically made him a favourite with home fans - added a goal and seven assists this season to his first season totals of nine goals and 18 assists.

Indeed, it was the Estonian's offensive abilities from defence which undoubtedly played a huge part in the Stingrays record 11/12 campaign as they reached the EIHL Playoff Semi-Finals in his first season at the club.

While he was undoubtedly in the twilight of a career which saw him ice in the IHL and AHL in North America and Russian, Slovakian, Czech, Polish and Hungarian top flights, and he had obviously lost a step or two over 23 seasons and 900 games, Rodin's quality with the puck on his stick remained.

Though he has aspirations to become a coach in the future, it is thought he will retire from the sport and move to London this summer after captaining Estonia at the IIHF World Championships Div I Group B in Ukraine this week, ending a 23 career that began with Narva HK PSK in Estonia in 1990.

In contrast, Alaskan native Lovdahl has confirmed his retirement at the age of 28 after four seasons and 275 games of professional hockey.

An alumni of the USHL - where he spent three seasons as a junior with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders - and the University of Alaska-Anchorage - where he hit eight goals and 25 assists in four years and 110 games - he made his professional debut with the Quad City Mallards of the IHL in 09/10.

He went on to spend two further seasons with Quad City in the CHL and a summer in Australia with the Adelaide Adrenaline before a move to Hull and the Elite League materialised last summer ahead of what would turn out to be his swansong in the sport

A quiet, unassuming but effective blueliner, the highlight of his season came on 3 March as he led the club offensively and physically with two goals and a fight in a a crucial 3-1 win over conference rivals the Fife Flyers.

It is often said of defensive defenceman in general that the more inconspicuous they are on a game-by-game basis the better they are performing and that was certainly the case with the solid American - who very rarely  stepped out of place.

He confirmed his intention to retire to the Hull Daily Mail earlier in the season and will return to Alaska from Europe.

Meanwhile in other news, it is believed the club are close to announcing the signing of 26 year old French-Canadian forward Guillaume Doucet as their first new addition for 13/14.

His agent, 37 Hockey, confirmed last week that he has signed a contract to play in the Elite League in 13/14 and it was later revealed by BritishIceHockey.co.uk that Hull is likely destination.

After graduating from Canadian college McGill University in 2011 with 53 goals and 108 points in 112 games, the diminutive winger has gone on to spend the last two seasons in the French top flight Ligue Magnus with Morzine-Avoriaz Penguines accumulating 21 goals and 19 assists for 40 points in 46 games.

Photos copyright Dean Woolley

Ozolins release confirmed by Stingrays

After weeks of rumour and speculation the Hull Stingrays have this evening confirmed the release of Latvian forward Janis Ozolins.

The skillful forward was signed alongside Ben Bowns and Chris Sykes from English Premier League side Sheffield Steeldogs in the summer in order to provide the Stingrays with some much needed secondary offence.

He started the season in scintillating form and was regularly one of the Rays standout performers, helping himself five goals and seven assists in the first month of the season before following that up with five goals and two assists in seven games during October.

Indeed, he was one third of one of the Rays best, most exciting forward lines of the season when combined with Matty Davies and Dominic Osman.

However, the dip in form of a number of the team after October saw a line re-shuffle orchestrated by coach Sylvain Cloutier. The 23 year old's form then drastically dipped pre-Christmas as he netted just four goals in the league in November and December (26 games) in part due to the rest of the Elite League's renewed awareness of his abilities and his dislike of physical play.

At the time of his release he had yet to score in the league in January and had gone goalless in his last 12 games with his last league goal coming against Nottingham on 3rd December,

Rumours of his release had circulated throughout late-December and early January, and the writing appeared to be on the wall last weekend when he was dropped for Saturday's 5-2 home win over Fife before returning to the squad in the reverse fixture 24 hours later - a 5-1 defeat.

A brilliant, entertaining player on his day early in the season, his release seems to be a case of lack of confidence and form following a long spell without a goal - something he didn't have to contend with during his 55 goal, 52 game season with the Steeldogs last season.

A relatively young player as far as imports go, there was never doubting his skill or talent, nor will there be any doubting that he can and will score goals again. Unfortunately for him, the Stingrays desperately needed his secondary scoring now as they begin to slip out of the playoff picture and, after Cloutier showed plenty of patience, time ultimately ran out for the Latvian.

He leaves as the Rays third top pointscorer with 14 goals, 19 assists and 33 points from 39 games.

Of the 23 year old, player-coach Cloutier said:

"Janis is a good player and made a great start for us but he has struggled for the last couple of months. I just felt it was time to make a change and we wish Janis all the best for the future."

The timing of the release is somewhat interesting, with Kurtis Dulle suspended for Wednesday's key fixture against Edinburgh Capitals after a debatable check-to-the-head against Fife - which may yet be appealed - and three signing attempts fallen through.

Nevertheless, it is a well-known fact that Cloutier has been looking for a new forward for the last couple of weeks and a very strong rumour that Ozolins was to be the player to leave, therefore, it may be (and it would be no surprise) that another club was ready waiting to sign him when he was released or indeed that that interest in him is the reason for the sudden release.

Regardless, the Stingrays will face the Edinburgh on Wednesday minus Ozolins and will be hopeful of finding a replacement sooner rather than later if they're to maintain their stuttering playoff push.

Sykes departs; Towner steps up

The Hull Stingrays today agreed to end the contract of British forward Chris Sykes - who requested his release in order to take up a promotion in employment away from the sport.

The 20 year old, former Great Britain international joined the Rays from hometown club the Sheffield Steeldogs alongside Ben Bowns and Janis Ozolins in the summer having recorded 28 points in 131 games in the English Premier League.

Added to provide Sylvain Cloutier's side with some British depth up front after the loss of Andy McKinney, Jack Watkins, Tristan Harper and Bobby Chamberlain during the off-season, he recorded his first and only goal for the club in a 4-3 shootout loss to Edinburgh in September.

He later added an assist, ending his 27 game spell with the club with two points, icing in his final two games for the club last weekend in Scotland having requested his release.

Cloutier told the Hull Daily Mail:

"Chris got promotion at his work, and decided he'd be better off to take his promotion and move on. It's disappointing, but I just want to thank him for joining us and giving it his best shot."

Presumably in anticipation of the move, 17 year old Hull-born forward Sam Towner stepped up onto the Rays third line with Cloutier and enforcer Ryan Hand at the weekend and largely impressed given his lack of experience at EIHL.

Andy Ward - who has recently returned to action following a concussion suffered on a hit by Sheffield Steelers forward Tom Sestito - will also join Towner in filling the role left by Sykes. Meanwhile, Cale Tanaka is also thought to be close to returning from injury further boosting the Stingrays offensive ranks.

Valecko pays the price for Rays poor form

Defenceman Tomas Valecko has today been released with immediate effect as a direct result of the Hull Stingrays recent poor run of form - which has seen them lose eight consecutive games.

The Slovakian joined the club in the summer from EIHL rivals Edinburgh Capitals - having scored six goals and 18 assists in 48 games - as a replacement for the big shot and calming influence of the highly experienced Dmitri Rodin.

Unfortunately for the 27 year old, he failed to fill the considerable skates left by the Estonian despite a flurry of goals early in the season. Much like Joshua Mizerek - who was released during the first half of last season - Valecko was often caught out positionally when attempting to rush the puck high in the offensive zone leaving the Rays, and particularly Ben Bowns in goal, vulnerable to a swift counter-attack.

Had the club not gone eight games without a victory then it may have been that Valecko may have remained on the roster, however, the nature of the losing streak - which crucially includes four losses to Gardiner Conference sides - forced Sylvain Cloutier's hand.

The Stingrays player-coach explained the decision in an official press release:

"I felt it was time to make a change and shake things up. we have been close in most of the games but we need to start winning. I feel there is a weakness at the back and it is an area we need to strengthen. I would like to thank Tomas for his time with us and wish him nothing but the best for the future."

Optimistic speculation might immediately link the Stingrays with an NHL calibre player given the ongoing NHL lockout - which has seen the start of the 12/13 NHL season delayed due to disagreements between club owners and players over the Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

So far the Nottingham Panthers, Sheffield Steelers and Coventry Blaze have pounced on NHL forwards Anthony Stewart, Tom Sesitito and Matt Beleksey respectively, however, it seems highly unlikely, not to mention highly risky, that Cloutier and McEwan will follow suit given the costly summer takeover and potential wages and insurance costs involved.

That's not to say the Rays won't indirectly benefit from the NHL lockout given the ripple effect that will naturally see NHLers displacing players from the AHL, ECHL and European leagues.

Though the Rays have released Valecko - a defenceman, and on-paper that is perhaps where they appear weakest, the stats show the club are also having a particularly torrid time offensively having scored just three goals in four games - despite the relative number of scoring options available on the top two lines.

The versatility of Ryan Hand - who can play both defence and forward - gives Cloutier the freedom to go out and sign the best player available regardless of position, and for many that should be a forward, however, Cloutier directly states in the press release that "there is a weakness at the back and it is an area we need to strengthen", suggesting it will be a like for like switch on defence.

Whether it is a defenceman or forward remains to be seen, however, with another fixture against Dundee next weekend and then three games against Fife in the following weeks, time is not necessarily a luxury the Rays can afford.

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.

M18 remains busy as Campbell joins Rodin at Steeldogs

Former Hull Stingrays forward Derek Campbell has become the fifth player this summer to transfer along the M18 motorway, joining Estonian defenceman Dmitri Rodin in leaving the Stingrays and East Yorkshire for South Yorkshire and the English Premier League's Sheffield Steeldogs.

The 32 year old - who moved to Hull after consecutive EIHL championship winning seasons with Coventry and Sheffield - notched 55 points in 58 regular season games as well as a massive five goals in three playoff games - including a hat-trick in the club's monumental second leg Quarter Final win over Sheffield.

Creating a formidable and natural partnership with linemate Jason Silverthorn, Campbell - in his sixth UK top flight campaign - grew to become one of the club's biggest assets last season thanks to his combination of strength, playmaking and enforcing abilities.

He joins a Steeldogs side coached by friend and former Newcastle teammate Andre Payette following an outstanding 11/12 campaign in which they surprised and shocked EPL with an impressive third place finish - in large part thanks to Stingrays summer signings Ben Bowns and Janis Ozolins.

A unique trade-off between the Steeldogs and Stingrays has now seen five players switch club's this summer with defenceman Rodin signing in Sheffield prior to Campbell and British forward Chris Sykes joining Hull alongside Bowns and Ozolins.

McKinney returns to EPL

British forward Andy McKinney - who joined the Hull Stingrays mid-way through the 11/12 Elite League campaign from English Premier League side Telford Tigers - has returned to the second tier EPL with the Manchester Phoenix it was confirmed today.

The 21 year old abruptly left Telford in November having hit five goals and five assists in 14 games and joined the Stingrays - where his no nonsense, enthusiastic and energetic style of play from the third line won him many fans.

Starting his spell in Hull as a third liner - relegating Bobby Chamberlain to the bench for a period before injury to Tristan Harper - Sylvain Cloutier's confidence in the youngster grew as the year wore on, and he was soon the first selection to step up to the top two lines ahead of Jack Watkins when required.

He ended the year with four goals, five assists and 107 penalty minutes - due in large part to his agitating, no-fear style of play. That fearless mentality saw him drop the gloves on seven occasions throughout the year including bouts with Coventry enforcer Bryan Jurynec, Nottingham defenceman Brock Wilson and, perhaps most notably,  Jeff Hutchins - following the Canadian's dangerous hit on teammate Matty Davies.

Nevertheless, despite largely impressing in his maiden spell in the top flight, it is believed that the Canadian born British forward was not offered a new deal to remain in Hull. That was likely only down to a change in tact and not a decision based on ability, which will see the club favour local British players that live within travelling distance in the upcoming season, in order to save on accommodation costs.

That decision has so far seen McKinney, Watkins and Harper as well as Dan Scott and Sam McCluskey leave, while Sheffield based netminder Ben Bowns and forward Chris Sykes are currently the only two players signed up. Question marks remain over whether Bobby Chamberlain's development will be better served in junior leagues in North America or at senior level in the EIHL, while Matty Davies may himself yet opt for the EPL over the Stingrays.

McKinney's long rumoured move back to Manchester - where he previously iced in a nine game spell during the 09/10 EPL season, as well as a year in the English National League with Trafford - sees him sign for a Phoenix side looking to build off a second place finish and playoff final appearance last season. He joins former Stingray and former long-term target of Cloutier, James Archer at the club.

Stingrays running low on Brits as Watkins makes it three Stars

19 year old forward Jack Watkins has this evening become the latest Brit to leave the Hull Stingrays this summer, joining fellow departees Sam McCluskey and Tristan Harper in signing for the Stingrays Elite Ice Hockey League Northern Conference rivals the Dundee Stars.

The Great Britain junior international joined the Stingrays from the English Premier League's Telford Tigers last summer for what was his first regular shift in the EIHL after a 32 game, pointless stint with Coventry in 09/10.

Forming part of the Rays third line, he a netted a creditable three goals and five assists in 50 games, impressively remaining disciplined throughout, sitting out just six minutes in penalty minutes.

An up and coming Brit, Watkins understandably struggled to make massive inroads at top flight level in just his second season in the EIHL on a third line sparingly used in crucial situations. Nevertheless, he visibly improved in both confidence and performance throughout the year despite that perceived lack of regular opportunity on an inexperienced and somewhat unbalanced line alongside the injured Harper, mid-season signing Andy McKinney, defenceman-turned-forward Dan Scott and rookie teenager Bobby Chamberlain.

He joins Jeff Hutchins' Dundee Stars just under a week after former teammates McCluskey and Harper confirmed they were returning to their hometown club for 12/13 in doing so becoming the second and third Brits to leave the club this summer.

Having already completed the signing of the former Stingrays pair as well as that of fellow Brits Vince Connon, Ross McIntosh and Mark McGill, Hutchins was delighted to capture another young Brit:

"I am excited to have secured Jack's signature. He's an up-and-coming British player that is looking to have a break out year. At the age of 19 he has nearly 100 games of Elite League experience under his belt and I will be looking for him to step up his game this year and become a regular contributor on the score sheet."

While the Stars have already signed up six of an always crucial Brit pack, the Stingrays on the other hand have added just Ben Bowns and Chris Sykes to their lineup, partially due to a change in tact from owner Bobby McEwan and coach Sylvain Cloutier

It was confirmed at the recent Stingrays fans forum that - in order to remain within budget and allow room to sign 11 good quality imports - the club would be focusing primarily on local British players for the upcoming season.

This decision will allow the club to reduce housing costs and focus a larger percentage of the budget on import players and their wages and accommodation.

As a result, in addition to the four Brits already confirmed as leaving Hull, the aforementioned McKinney - a non-local to Hull - looks set to re-join the second tier EPL next season with either Manchester or Sheffield.

Even before the possible, rumoured departures of Bobby Chamberlain and Matty Davies to North America and the EPL respectively, Cloutier will need to sign three British players to replace those departed - and that itself is factoring in the addition of the 11th import.

As local players Chamberlain and Davies remain high on the agenda and have both been approached by Cloutier, however, as of now, they remained unsigned.

While in ice hockey terms the summer remains young, the number of British players available from last season's Elite League appears slim. The only notable and possibly realistic names available being Lee and Craig Mitchell - who may yet return to Fife but could be tempted to return to Hull following the departure of the former ownership - and Andrew Hirst and Craig Elliott, who have both previously iced for the Rays and who both stepped in on two-way deals with the Edinburgh Capitals last term.

Stingrays kick-off summer with five signings

The Hull Stingrays set aside any doubt and uncertainty over their future tonight at a fans forum, kicking off preparations for the 12/13 Elite Ice Hockey League campaign with the signing of player-coach Sylvain Cloutier, Sheffield Steeldogs trio Ben Bowns, Janis Ozolins and Chris Sykes, and the re-signing of Jereme Tendler.

The club's likely new owner Bobby McEwan - who looks certain to complete the formalities of a takeover soon - first confirmed that Cloutier will be return for a fourth and fifth season as player-coach of the club having penned a two-year deal.

On-ice the 38 year old - who has notched 105 points in 157 games since joining in 09/10 - has often lead the club from the front, both physically and emotionally, during his three years in East Yorkshire. Meanwhile off-ice his impact has been even greater, coaching a club previously languishing in the bottom two of the EIHL to improved finishes in each of his three years.

Having struggled on and off-ice in his first term as a player-coach - in which the Stingrays lost out in the EIHL Playoff Quarter Final after receiving a bye to that round in an eight team EIHL - Cloutier guided the team to a record year in 10/11. Despite owners Mike and Sue Pack pulling out at the very last minute - with the Coventry Blaze ownership group taking over in their place - the club hit record highs in all areas - wins (23), goals for (178) and points (49), qualifying for the playoffs on merit for the first ever time.

Another tough year followed last season - with off-ice and financial issues a big distraction - nevertheless, Cloutier lead the team against all odds to it's first ever EIHL Playoff Semi-Final and EIHL Final Four weekend after a historic and memorable two-legged Quarter Final victory over Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Steelers.

Cloutier is already well underway with his preparations and signings for the upcoming season, revealing that Jereme Tendler - the Stingrays top goalscorer over the past two seasons with sensational record of 82 goals in 105 games - has extended his stay in Hull for at least two more seasons.

The Saskatchewan native has been a phenomenal pickup for the club in the last two years and - though his off-ice mistake and failed drugs test for the inadvertent consumption of a banned substance cost the club - he served the full length of his ban handed down by the World Anti Doping Agency and bounced back to record four assists in the Stingrays unlikely run to the Playoff Semi-Finals.

As was said last summer, when he surprisingly returned for a second season, Tendler is so often the kind of player club's like the Stingrays struggle to keep hold of, so for him to commit for a third and fourth season is a true testament to his belief and trust in Cloutier and the club.

Joining Tendler for their first season's at the club, and indeed in the British top flight, are Sheffield Steeldogs trio Ben Bowns, Chris Sykes and Janis Ozolins.

British netminding prospect Bowns, 21, joins the Stingrays on a two-year contract as the club's starting netminder after leading his hometown team for the last three seasons - having spent two season's prior to that under the tutelage of legend Pasi Raitanen at Ice Sheffield. In that time he has helped transform a former cellar dwellar EPL side into last season's surprise title contenders, improving his save percentage from 90.4% in 09/10 to 90.9% in 10/11 and then an astonishing 93.0% last term.

A regular, mainstay at Great Britain U18 and U20 level during the past four years, he is highly thought of in British ice hockey circles and a player many believe will go on to bigger and better things and soon take over from Stephen Murphy as the GB senior team number one.

The netminder - who will this summer carry the London 2012 Olympic torch - is a known quantity to Cloutier having trained with the club for parts of the last two seasons. He made his Stingrays debut, and to date his only appearance for the club, on a two-way deal last season, making one save from one shot on 21 September when coming in for relief of Christian Boucher with nine minutes remaining in a 6-2 loss.

A highly sought after keeper, he turned down a number of club's including the Steeldogs, Nottingham Panthers and one or two of the Stingrays Northern conference rivals - thought to be Braehead and Edinburgh - in order to sign in Hull.

His addition marks the unfortunate end for two season Stingray Christian Boucher. A good shotblocker and always brilliantly consistent game-to-game, the Canadian departs due to a change in direction by Cloutier which - with a British netminder - allows the club the luxury of 11 outskating imports.

he fan favourite leaves Hull on  good teams having backstopped them to two of the best season's in the club's history - albeit he did lose out 10-3 in his final appearance. While a return to the Elite League has been talked about, recent speculation suggesting he may retire from the sport having recently gained employment in Canada at Canada Post according to Twitter.

Another new signing for the 12/13 campaign is that of dynamic, speedy Latvian forward Janis Ozolins - also from the Steeldogs.

The 23 year old Riga born winger - who has played in Belarus, Czech Republic, and his native homeland, and will next season complete a hat-trick of British leagues having previously iced in the ENL and EPL - recorded a mammoth 55 goals and 89 points in 52 regular season games with the South Yorkshire second tier club last season. Those figures put the former Latvian junior international second in EPL scoring last term, 3 behind Swindon Wildcats  forward Jonas Hoog - who appeared in two more games.

A naturally skilled forward and goalscorer, 12/13 will be Ozolins first in the Elite League and he is likely to have a key role to play, with Cloutier categorically stating he will sign at least one tough player to ensure the Latvian - and Tendler - will have confidence to play a natural skillful game. Ozolins' magnificent season was capped off as he was named Ice Hockey Journalists UK EPL Player of the Year in spring.

The third and final Sheffield Steeldog to have signed for the Stingrays next term is Chris Sykes. Another Sheffield born product, Sykes has spent the last two and a half years with the Steeldogs and, like Bowns, is a crucial British signing following the departure of Dan Scott, Sam McCluskey and Tristan Harper and expected departure of Andy McKinney.

Though he has only 20 points to his name in the EPL over the last two seasons and 104 games, Sykes - who iced in two games with the Stingrays two years ago on a two-way contract - will provide much required depth to the Stingrays forward lines. Far from being a bench warmer, the winger could potentially play a key role on the third line - even more so if none of Jack Watkins, Bobby Chamberlain and Matty Davies return to the Stingrays.

Cloutier confirmed that he is well underway with signings ahead of next season and admitted he is waiting to see if a number of players from last season remain loyal or, understandably, look for better deals elsewhere.

With Bowns between the pipes, the Stingrays player-coach also revealed he will fill the full 11 import quota - which will be made up of four defencemen and seven forwards - and will utilise the club's links with the junior and ENL set up to provide younger players with opportunities to step up. Given that criteria the Stingrays current depth chart looks as follows:

Netminders

Bowns (B) 

Brit

Defencemen

Import, Import, 

Import, Import, 

Brit, Brit (?).

Forwards

Cloutier (I), Tendler (I), Ozolins (I). 

Import, Import, Import.

 Import, Sykes (B), Brit.

Brit (?).

With many things off-ice still up in the air - including the takeover and ice-time, which both still require official confirmation - there will be a further forum in a months time to update fans on progress made.

McCluskey and Harper latest to leave Hull

Lost amongst the chaos of yet more ownership and league structure fluidity within Hull and the Elite League, the Hull Stingrays yesterday lost two more British players from their 11/12 roster with the news that Sam McCluskey and Tristan Harper have returned to Scotland to sign for Northern conference rivals Dundee Stars.

The pair - who were signed in a move that coincidentally saw Craig and Lee Mitchell move in the other direction - return for a second stint north of the border with their hometown club after contrasting years in Hull with the Stingrays.

21 year old McCluskey was the club's standout Brit and one of the most improved players over the course of the season, receiving top four minutes on the blueline - having ousted teammate Dan Scott - while icing in all situations in just his second full season in the EIHL. Having notched two goals and five assists in 54 games in his debut top flight season in 10/11, the Scottish defenceman hit one goal and five assists as an everpresent in all 64 games this term.

A likely future Great Britain international - similarly to former Stingrays prospects Dave Phillips and Stevie Lee - McCluskey's cool head and on-ice confidence belied his age as he stood above most defensively on a blueline and team defence that generally struggled in that area.

Speaking of the defenceman, new Dundee Stars player-coach Jeff Hutchins - who today also added Harper and fellow Dundee native Vince Connon - said:

"Sam is a kid with a lot of potential and he had a steady year at Hull, he had a lot of opportunity to play in key situations and I'm sure that helped develop his defensive skills."

Harper meanwhile struggled during a 40 game stint with the Stingrays which was decimated by poor form and then injury.

Starting the year mixed in with the team's top lines, he found it difficult to gain the kind of momentum which saw him rated highly and net eight goals and 16 points in 38 games with Dundee two years ago.

As a result of that lack of form the 23 year old was dropped down to the third line alongside Jack Watkins, Andy McKinney and occasionally Bobby Chamberlain. A shoulder injury then put paid to the large majority of the rest of his season as he admirably attempted a comeback playing with a shoulder brace before admitting defeat and undergoing shoulder surgery late in the post-season.

By his own admission, Harper - who was the only permanent Stingray not to score during 11/12 - will have been disappointed with his 40 game spell in Hull. Despite a tough year, it is believed he was initially interested in returning to put to bed the unfinished business he had from last season.

Indeed, the Hull Daily Mail revealed earlier in the week that Harper had spoken to Cloutier and was willing to listen to talk of a return:

"I last spoke to coach Sylvain Cloutier about a fortnight ago. He asked about my shoulder and how the summer is going. I think it was just about the time when they officially announced everything about the management team, but I haven't heard anything since then. I've been talking to two or three teams, but if Hull asked me to come back, I would be interested. I am not closing any doors. I don't want to make any official decision until my shoulder is up and running."

However, despite this statement, the Stars today announced that Harper will return to the club alongside friend McCluskey.

Upon signing Harper, Hutchins said his latest signing will play a big part in the Stars 12/13 campaign - which will see them pit against the Stingrays eight times in the regular season over the course of the year:

"I've told Tristan that he's going to be a guy that we will count on a lot. He'll get an opportunity to play alongside two imports and be a big part of what we do. I want to see the Tristan that I saw playing for Dundee two years ago."

The departure of two more British players - following Scott's decision last week to join the English Premier League's Slough Jets - leaves the Stingrays searching for a number of new British players for next season.

With Andy McKinney also set to leave, the club may be looking for as many as three replacement homegrown players -  and that's depending on the club signing their maximum 11 imports, which may seem unlikely to some at this point given the frailty of the ownership.

Forwards Bobby Chamberlain and Matty Davies look like the two Brits most likely to return - though even that is uncertain - while British netminder Ben Bowns - who, if signed, would replace Christian Boucher between the pipes - is widely rumoured to have joined the club.

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.

Campbell moving on

Derek Campbell looks set to become the second player to depart the Hull Stingrays this summer, according to the Hull Daily Mail.

The 32 year old forward shone in the Stingrays yellow and blue during the 11/12 Elite League campaign - his sixth consecutive year in the British top flight but first in Hull - accumulating 12 goals and 55 points in 58 regular season games having worked up a great partnership with Jason Silverthorn. 

He added a further five goals and two assists in three playoff games in the post-season, becoming a crucial cog in helping the Rays past former side Sheffield Steelers and into a historic first ever EIHL Playoff Semi-Final and Final Four Weekend. The hat-trick scored by the Ontario native in the 5-2 second leg quarter final win was arguably three of the biggest goals in the club's history.

Nevertheless, despite largely impressing thanks to his unique style and blend of strength, stickhandling, playmaking and enforcing abilities - Campbell admitted to the Hull Daily Mail that he has yet to hear from coach Sylvain Cloutier.

Given the continually uncertain nature of the club's status at present that may not be too surprising, however, speculation suggests Cloutier has had initial contact with those players he would like to retain for 12/13 EIHL campaign, as well as a number of others from outside the club.

Speaking on his year in Hull, Campbell said:

"It was a great time. I had a lot of fun last year, the owners were great, Sylvain was great, as were my team-mates and the fans, even though there was so much going on with sticks and equipment and off-ice stuff. We made it to the playoff semi-finals by knocking out Sheffield and that was a huge thing."

The former Manchester, Newcastle, Coventry, Sheffield and now, likely, Hull enforcer looks set to add another club to his extensive CV. Whether he joins his sixth Elite League club or opts for the English Premier League remains to be seen though it looks highly likely his stay in Hull will end at one year.

Campbell stated:

"I don't think I'll be coming back. It's not me closing the door, it's just that I haven't really talked to Sylvain Cloutier yet and I think if he wanted me back he would have called and sort of stated it. I'm qualified to play in either league. There are a couple of teams in the Elite League and in the EPL I have been talking to and taking seriously. You have to weigh up the options, it's a long summer."

EPL side Sheffield Steeldogs currently appear favourites to secure the signature of Campbell - who would become their second Stingray signing of the off-season, following Dmitri Rodin's addition - though a decision has yet to be officially made either way.

The South Yorkshire side - coached by Campbell's former Newcastle Vipers teammate Andre Payette - would seem to be the obvious choice for the Canadian after his comments today that he'd prefer to join a club where he knows what he's "getting into".

Elsewhere, as previously suggested on FBB, the Stingrays remain on course to lose at least two of the British corps from last season to the EPL.

Rodin first to depart

Defenceman and alternate captain Dmitri Rodin has become the first name to depart the 11/12 Hull Stingrays ranks following today's confirmation that he will join the English Premier League's Sheffield Steeldogs.

The 37 year old rejoined former teammate and Rays coach Sylvain Cloutier last summer from Polish side KH Sanok and quickly became a mainstay in the club's defensive corps. Beginning the season in fine form with three goals and three assists during late September before eventually racking up nine goals and 27 points over 51 games, he deservedly claimed Stingrays Defenceman of the Year at the end of season awards.

Though the Estonian national team captain - who lead his side to a gold medal and promotion from IIHF World Championship Div II in Iceland this Spring - is undoubtedly entering the twilight of his career, he remained the Stingrays best all-around defenceman for much of the year, despite his form dipping post-Christmas.

Positionally sound, with good stickhandling abilities and a great shot from the point, crucially for a European defenceman he also wasn't afraid to get stuck in physically, memorably pulling off a number of signature hip checks - most notably on Jason Hewitt in the EIHL Quarter Final against Sheffield.

The move to the EPL comes as a result of timing, both personally and for the club. While the Rays future remains up in the air - with a number of hurdles still to be overcome before Nic Gough and Bobby McEwan can takeover - Rodin, at the age of 37, with a young family to think of and the time on his 22 year career ticking down, couldn't afford to wait around.

And while it is a fact that he was the club's most consistent defenceman, it is probably an understatement to say the Rays weren't strong defensively last term - allowing a league high 2272 shots on netminder Christian Boucher while also leaking 220 goals, good enough for third worst in the Elite Leauge (or eighth best depending on how you look at it). 

Therefore, given those defensive frailties, there were not necessarily any guarantees that the Stingrays next coach - likely to be Cloutier for a fourth season, provided the takeover goes through as expected - would want to re-sign the Estonian blueliner, despite how well liked he was.

Nevertheless, Rodin now joins a Steeldogs side brimming with confidence following a record 11/12 season in which player/coach and former EIHL enforcer Andre Payette lead his side to an impressive third placed league finish and semi-final playoff berth. 

Though top British netminding prospect Ben Bowns - who posted a 93.0 sv% and 2.40GAA - is set to depart for the Elite League (and potentially the Stingrays) during the off-season, the Ice Sheffield based side are gearing up for another title shot during 12/13.

Speaking of Rodin's addition, Payette said:

"Dmitri's leadership qualities, as reflected in his national team's captaincy, will be massive important on and off the ice next year. He was voted Best Defenceman for Hull Stingrays last season and together with his very physical game, he will bolster what was already the best defensive unit last year."

So far this summer they have already signed up former Sheffield Steelers Tom Squires, Ben Morgan and Steve Duncombe as well as former Coventry Blaze and Basingstoke Bison forward Greg Wood, while Rodin is likely to join up with another former Rays defenceman in Pavel Gomenyuk - who is highly likely to rejoin for a second season having notched up 9 goals and 41 points in 52 league games last season.

Although Rodin is the first and, so far, only name to have been confirmed as departing, it is believed that at least another two or three of last season's squad may have followed suit and signed in the second tier EPL as the Stingrays future is resolved.