EIHL fixtures announced; Rays start with 12/13 treble winners

The Hull Stingrays will begin their 2013/2014 Elite Ice Hockey League campaign on Saturday 7th September against reigning Elite League, Challenge Cup and Playoff champions the Nottingham Panthers it was revealed today.

Meanwhile, the club also announced today pre-season fixtures against Elite League rivals the Coventry Blaze and the English Premier League's Sheffield Steeldogs.

Unsurprisingly, upon announcing the 13/14 fixture list, the Elite League confirmed that they would continue with last season's preferred two-conference format with every team playing sides in their own conference four times home and away, and sides in the opposing conference twice home and away.

The Challenge Cup format also remains unchanged with the Stingrays again in Group B alongside the Cardiff Devils, Coventry Blaze, Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers - whom they will play once home and away.

The Rays will open and close their pre-season preparations against Mathias Soderstrom's Coventry side on Wednesday 28th August (Coventry Skydome) and Wednesday 4th September (Hull Arena) respectively, with games against Andre Payette's second tier Steeldogs side sandwiched inbetween on Thursday 29th August (Ice Sheffield) and Sunday 1st September (Hull Arena).

Three days after their final warm-up fixture on Saturday 7th September, the Stingrays will travel to Nottingham to open up the regular season in the toughest possible fashion against the 12/13 treble winners and 13/14 favourites for the title, the Nottingham Panthers.

Sylvain Cloutier's side follow up that baptism of fire with their first home fixture of the regular season against  the Braehead Clan in Ryan Finnety's second game as head coach.

The club's tough start to the season doesn't end there though as they face Erhardt Conference sides five times in their opening seven games in September - thanks mostly to to their grouping in the Challenge Cup, which admittedly brings other advantages.

Their challenge for the Gardiner Conference kicks in during October with six of their eight fixtures against conference rivals and it continues in November and December as they meet Erhardt Conference sides just four times in 17 games.

Once again, Stingrays will travel to Scotland - where they really struggled on their travels last term - on 14 occasions including two weekends north of the border on 7th and 8th December against Fife and Edinburgh, and 11th and 12th January against Braehead and Edinburgh.

By 12th October's meeting with the Fife Flyers, the club will have faced every Elite League side.

Other notable weekends include home and home weekends against the Dundee Stars (5/6 October), Edinburgh Capitals (26/27 October) and Coventry Blaze (2/3 November).

In the final five weeks of the season the Stingrays will face-off against the Dundee Stars and Sheffield Steelers three times apiece, ending the regular season on Sunday 23rd March at the Hull Arena against their Yorkshire rivals Sheffield.

Meanwhile, as far as the home fixture breakdown is concerned, the Saturday night is most certainly hockey night in Hull this season with 16 Saturday night face-off's, ten on Sunday and four on Wednesday.

Hull Stingrays Fixture List - Elite Ice Hockey League 13/14 

August 2013

2 Pre-season

2 Away

1 Erhardt Conference, 1 EPL

Wed 28th - Coventry Blaze (A) - PS
Thu 29th - Sheffield Steeldogs (A) - PS

September

2 Pre-season, 3 League, 3 Challenge Cup, 1 League/Challenge Cup

5 Home, 3 Away

1 EPL, 6 Erhardt Conference, 2 Gardiner Conference

Sun 1st - Sheffield Steeldogs (H) - PS

Wed 4th - Coventry Blaze (H) - PS
Sat 7th - Nottingham Panthers (A) - L/CC
Sun 8th - Braehead Clan (H) - L

Sun 15th - Cardiff Devils (H) - CC

Wed 18th - Sheffield Steelers (A) - CC
Sat 21st - Edinburgh Capitals (H) - L
Sun 22nd - Coventry Blaze (A) - CC

Sun 29th - Belfast Giants (H) - L

October

6 League, 2 Challenge Cup

4 Home, 4 Away

6 Gardiner Conference, 2 Erhardt Conference

Sat 5th - Dundee Stars (H) - L
Sun 6th - Dundee Stars (A) - L

Sat 12th - Fife Flyers (A) - L
Sun 13th - Nottingham Panthers (H) - CC

Sat 19th - Dundee Stars (H) L

Sat 26th - Edinburgh Capitals (A) L
Sun 27th - Edinburgh Capitals (H) - L

Thu 31th - Cardiff Devils (A) - CC

November 

6 League, 2 Challenge Cup

4 Home, 4 Away

6 Gardiner Conference, 2 Erhardt Conference

Sat 2nd - Coventry Blaze (H) - CC
Sun 3rd - Coventry Blaze (A) - L

Sat 9th - Belfast Giants (H) - L
Sun 10th - Cardiff Devils (A) - L

Sat 16th - Braehead Clan (A) - L

Sat 23th - Cardiff Devils (H) - L
Sun 24th - Edinburgh Capitals (A) - L

Sat 30th - Sheffield (H) - CC

December

9 League

4 Home, 5 Away

7 Gardiner Conference, 2 Erhardt Conference

Sun 1st - Braehead Clan (H) - L

Sat 7th - Fife Flyers (A) - L
Sun 8th - Edinburgh Capitals(A) - L

Thu 12th - Dundee Stars (A) - L
Sat 14th - Edinburgh Capitals (H) - L

Sat 21st - Nottingham Panthers (H) - L
Sun 22nd - Fife Flyers (A) - L

Sat 28th Edinburgh Capitals (H) - L

Mon 30th - Belfast Giants (A) - L

January 2014

10 League

4 Home, 6 Away

6 Gardiner Conference, 4 Erhardt Conference

Thu 2nd - Sheffield Steelers (A) - L
Sat 4th - Coventry Blaze (A) - L
Sun 5th - Fife Flyers (H) - L

Sat 11th - Braehead Clan (A) - L
Sun 12th - Edinburgh Capitals (A) - L

Wed 15th - Braehead Clan (H) - L
Sat 18th - Dundee Stars (H) - L

Sat 25th - Coventry Blaze (H) - L
Sun 26th Nottingham Panthers (A) - L

Wed 29th - Braehead Clan (A) - L

February

10 League

5 Home, 5 Away

6 Gardiner Conference, 4 Erhardt Conference 

Sat 1st - Fife Flyers (H) - L
Sun 2nd: Cardiff Devils (A) - L

Wed 5th - Fife Flyers (H) - L
Fri 7th - Belfast Giants (A) - L
Sun 9th - Nottingham Panthers (H) - L

Wed 12th - Braehead Clan (A) - L
Sat 15th - Cardiff Devils (H) - L
Sun 16th - Fife Flyers (A) - L

Wed 19th - Braehead Clan (H) - L
Sun 23rd - Dundee Stars (A) - L

March

6 League

4 Home, 2 Away

3 Gardiner Conference, 3 Erhardt Conference

Sat 1st - Dundee Stars (H) - L
Sat 8th - Sheffield Steelers (H) - L

Wed 12th - Fife Flyers (H) - L
Sat 15th - Dundee Stars (A) - L
Sun 16th - Sheffield Steelers (A) - L

Sun 23th - Sheffield Steelers (H) - L

Stingrays beaten in first taste of Gardiner Conference

Dundee Stars 2-3 Hull Stingrays

The Hull Stingrays were tonight beaten in their first league fixture of the season, going down 3-2 to Gardiner Conference rivals the Dundee Stars with former Stingray Jack Watkins bagging a third period game winning goal.

Eager to shake off their 'bus-legs', the Stingrays outshot the Stars 17-9 in the first period only for an early Sami Ryhanen powerplay goal to give the home side the lead heading into the second.

Cale Tanaka continued his impressive start to the season 3.47 into an even second period with his second goal in two games only for Dundee's Pat Bowen to peg the Rays back less than two minutes later with the Stars second powerplay marker.

Once again, the Stingrays heavily outshot the Stars 17-9 in the final stanza only for Watkins to pop up four minutes in and record his first goal of the season - having notched just one in 45 games with the Rays last term.

Tomas Valecko hit back with what turned out to be a consolation goal - continuing his record of scoring in all three Stingrays games this season - but the Rays couldn't find the leveler despite firing 43 shots on Stars netminder Nic Riopel, faltering to a 3-2 loss in their first league fixture of the campaign.

EIHL 12/13 Fixtures: Two Scottish double headers; Panthers home opener for Stingrays

The Elite Ice Hockey League have today released their schedule for the upcoming 2012/2013 campaign and the Hull Stingrays will begin the upcoming season the way they ended the last - with a fixture against the Nottingham Panthers.

Thankfully for the Rays and their fans, the opening night doesn't and hopefully won't completely mirror that night in April at the Trent FM Arena - in which the Stingrays were defeated 10-3 in their first ever EIHL Playoff Semi-Final and Final Four weekend - as the Panthers and Stingrays start 12/13 at the Hull Arena in with a Challenge Cup fixture on Saturday 8th September (6.30pm).

That is followed up with another home Challenge Cup game - this time against the Cardiff Devils on Thursday 13th September - before the Rays travel north for their first league fixture of the campaign as they take on the Dundee Stars and their trio of former players in Sam McCluskey, Tristan Harper and Jack Watkins on Sunday 16th September.

The Rays complete their eight game Challenge Cup group campaign - from which four out of five teams will this season qualify for a new Quarter Final stage - on 10th November against the Coventry Blaze with the only note to the Challenge Cup campaign being that the Nottingham Panthers fixture on 13th November has been doubled up as a dual cup-league fixture.

Other notable fixtures include a first meeting with the Sheffield Steelers since that unforgettable night at Ice Sheffield last April (26th September), home Christmas fixtures against Sheffield (22nd December) and Edinburgh (27th December) and a first home game against former Coventry owners (10th November).

They end the season in March with five home league fixtures in seven games - including a four game homestand between the 3rd and 16th March. The club's final fixture of the regular season comes on Sunday 24th March against the Coventry Blaze.

The Stingrays have not been afforded the opportunity to cut costs and half the number of trips they make across the Irish Sea with an away double header against the Belfast Giants (they travel to Northern Ireland on 29th December and 2nd February).

However, they have been handed two double headers in Scotland on 1st and 2nd of December and 19th and 20th of January (both Braehead Clan and Edinburgh Capitals - in that order).

Though it could be said the benefits and saving in travel expenditure of those two weekends away could be nullified by hotel costs and a lack of home fixture, and therefore income through paying spectators, the Stingrays appear to have come out relatively well from the notoriously tough EIHL fixtures meeting.

New owner to-be and managing director Bobby McEwan made the decision to change - where possible - the club's preferred match night from a Sunday to a Saturday, meaning next season there will be 16 Saturday match nights, ten on Sunday and five mid-week home games - with Saturday's outweighing Sunday's for what is believed to be the first ever time during the Stingrays reign in Hull.

The potential and hopeful benefits of changing the preferred matchnight is believed to be two fold.

Firstly, there is a natural desire throughout the club to increase attendances - something which would be helped on a Saturday night as opposed to a 'school night' such as a Sunday.

Secondly Stingrays players should - in theory - be fresher, fitter and more prepared for a home fixture on a Saturday after a week of training than they would on a Sunday following an away game and a, more often than not, lengthy and tiring road trip - thus increasing the club's chance of winning their home fixture, in turn increasing positive feeling around the club. At least that's the idea and one the new ownership appear confident in at least trying.

Face-off times have also changed slightly with Saturday fixtures now facing off at 6.30pm - presumably, so as to allow fans of Hull City time to travel between the KC and Hull Arena - and Sunday and mid-week games generally facing-off at 6pm and 7.30pm respectively.

Stingrays to-be owner and managing director said of the opening night and Challenge Cup:

"It is a great way to start the season. Panthers are the cup holders and a top team and it will be a packed Hull Arena. All the teams will still be learning their systems and will not be up to scratch straight away. There will be a lot of mistakes but if we can play well then hopefully we can nick a win. The way the Challenge Cup is set up this season gives us a chance of making the quarter-finals and that is something we will be looking to do. I like the new league format, there will be more competitive games and our goal will be to win our conference."

Please see below for the Stingrays full fixture list for the 12/13 campaign. Please be advised dates can and probably will change. See www.hullstingrays.net for further information including face-off times.

Hull Stingrays Fixture List -  Elite Ice Hockey League12/13

September 2012

2 Pre-season, 4 Challenge Cup, 4 League - 6 Home, 4 Away

Sun 2nd - Sheffield Steeldogs (H) - P/S
Thu 6th - Sheffield Steeldogs (A) - P/S
Sat 8th - Nottingham Panthers (H) - CC
Thu 13th - Cardiff Devils (H) - CC
Sun 16th - Dundee Stars (A)
Sat 22nd - Edinburgh Capitals (H)
Sun 23rd - Edinburgh Capitals (A)
Wed 26th - Sheffield Steelers (H) - CC
Sat 29th - Coventry Blaze (A) - CC
Sun 30th - Braehead Clan (H)

October

2 Challenge Cup, 6 League - 4 Home, 3 Away

Sat 6th - Dundee Stars (H)
Sun 7th - Belfast Giants (H)
Sat 13th - Nottingham Panthers (A) - L/CC
Sun 14th - Dundee Stars (A)
Sat 20th - Dundee Stars (H)
Sun 21st - Sheffield Steelers (A) - CC (Ice Sheffield)
Sat 27th - Fife Flyers (H)

November

2 Challenge Cup, 8 League - 4 Home, 6 Away

Thu 1st - Cardiff Devils (A) - CC
Sun 4th - Fife Flyers (H)
Sat 10th - Coventry Blaze (H) - CC
Sun 11th - Coventry Blaze (A)
Tue 13th - Fife Flyers (A)
Sat 17th - Belfast Giants (H)
Sun 18th - Edinburgh Capitals (A)
Sat 24th - Fife Flyers (A)
Sun 25th - Braehead Clan (H)
Thu 29th - Braehead Clan (H)

December

8 League - 3 Home, 5 Away

Sat 1st - Braehead Clan (A)
Sun 2nd - Edinburgh Capitals (A)
Sun 9th - Nottingham Panthers (A)
Sat 15th - Nottingham Panthers (H)
Sat 22nd - Sheffield Steelers (H)
Sun 23rd - Cardiff Devils (A)
Thu 27th - Edinburgh Capitals (H)
Sat 29th - Belfast Giants (A)

January

9 League - 4 Home, 5 Away

Sat 5th - Cardiff Devils (A)
Sun 6th - Sheffield Steelers (H)
Sat 12th - Edinburgh Capitals (H)
Sun 13th - Coventry Blaze (A)
Sat 19th - Braehead Clan (A)
Sun 20th - Edinburgh Capitals (A)
Sat 26th - Fife Flyers (H)
Sun 27th - Fife Flyers (A)
Wed 30th - Edinburgh Capitals (H)

February

9 League - 4 Home, 5 Away

Sat 2nd - Belfast Giants (A)
Sun 3rd - Coventry Blaze (H)
Sat 9th - Dundee Stars (H)
Sun 10th - Dundee Stars (A)
Wed 13th - Braehead Clan (A)
Sat 16th - Cardiff Devils (H)
Sun 17th - Sheffield Steelers (A)
Sat 23rd - Fife Flyers (A)
Sun 24th - Braehead Clan (H)

March

8 League - 5 Home, 3 Away

Sat 2nd - Braehead Clan (A)
Sun 3rd - Fife Flyers (H)
Sat 9th - Dundee Stars (H)
Sun 10th - Nottingham Panthers (H)
Sat 16th - Cardiff Devils (H)
Sun 17th - Dundee Stars (A)
Sat 23rd - Sheffield Steelers (A)
Sun 24th - Coventry Blaze (H)

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.

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.

EIHL announce 11 imports, league restructure; Stingrays to enter Northern conference

The Elite Ice Hockey League last night announced a number of controversial changes ahead of the 2012/2013 season.

The biggest and most controversial of these changes came in the form of a league re-structure which will see the current ten strong top flight split into two conferences.

Though the make-up and names of the two conferences are to be officially revealed at a later date, it is has been confirmed by Cardiff Devils owner Paul Ragan and Belfast Giants GM Todd Kelman that the Stingrays will be assigned to a Northern conference alongside Scottish sides Braehead Clan, Dundee Stars, Edinburgh Capitals and Fife Flyers, with the Southern group compromising of the Belfast Giants, Cardiff Devils, Coventry Blaze, Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers.

The 12/13 schedule will see teams face conference rivals four times home and away, and the teams in the opposite conference twice home and away, with the league winner the team with the best overall record throughout the year.

For those familiar with the sport, the structure - agreed upon at an EIHL board meeting on Monday - though a geographical split, also conveniently splits the ten team league into what has been regarded as the 'haves' and 'have nots' financially.

Regardless of that fact, as far as the Stingrays go, the split puts them in a tough position.

In the alleged Northern conference they would face significant increased travel costs and, likely, decreased attendances through away support. As two of the biggest fanbases and the two most local away trips, the loss of home fixtures against Nottingham and Sheffield - who bring vast followings - combined with extra fixtures against traditionally and understandably the four lowest away crowds is concerning and, likely, financially difficult for the Rays

With that said, were the Rays assigned to the Southern group - while they would benefit from healthy attendances thanks to extra games against Nottingham and Sheffield - the on-ice challenge would be massive. The club would likely struggle to compete with the other four clubs given their resources and because of that lack of competitiveness attendances would likely drop, nullifying the advantage of having the regular visits from large followings of Sheffield and Nottingham in particular

That increased competitiveness in both groups is seen to be one of the only positives to the new structure from a Stingrays perspective, as the split has aligned clubs run on similar finances. Though from initial impressions the consensus has been that Braehead could comfortably run away with a Northern group, that remains to be seen.

Another positive is that the league title winners would be the team with the best overall record from both conferences. Given the supposed five 'weaker' teams would potentially be in the same conference, playing each other more often than they would the Southern conference, the fight for a league title could potentially be blown wide open with any one of Braehead, Dundee, Edinburgh, Fife or Hull challenging from the Northern conference.

The Stingrays appear to be the team most adversely affected by this decision given the increase in costs and decrease in away fan income. And while there are negatives and they do beg the question whether the club will receive some sort of financial support, the competitiveness and opportunity to gain on-ice momentum is a tough positive to argue against.

The press release also revealed that the import quota for the upcoming campaign had been lifted from a maximum of 10 imports to 11 due to a high "demand on local players" caused primarily by the departure of a number of GB internationals to Europe which has "stretched the talent pool available".

Similarly to the conference restructure, many have rightly questioned the EIHL on this decision believing that better British players can only be nurtured if they are given an opportunity in the top flight. By increasing the import limit, the league once again reduces the number of spots and amount of ice-time available to British players - particularly those up and coming players looking to make the step up - in the name of protecting their 'product' and the quality of hockey on show. The debate over imports v Brits and development v entertainment rages on and this decision is unlikely to end the arguments one way or another.

Perhaps less controversially, the league also revealed the Challenge Cup will feature all ten sides - split into two an as yet unknown but different combinations of five. Each team will face the other in their group once home and once away before a new two-legged quarter final stage between sides finishing 1st to 4th in the group.

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.

Flyers hit top flight; EIHL returns to 10

The Elite Ice Hockey League tonight confirmed that the Fife Flyers would finally make the step up to take their place in the top flight, six years after departing the national second tier British National League, effectively replacing the Newcastle Vipers as the league's tenth side.

The Kirkcaldy based side made a late application to join the league - thought to be in the last two weeks - and with the EIHL board meeting today to discuss fixtures for it's ninth year time looked to be running out for Scottish side. However, after a long day of discussions regarding both the Flyers and next season, the EIHL today approved their application, confirming that one of the UK's oldest hockey club's would take their place in the league in 11/12.

They become the fourth Scottish side in the top tier, joining Braehead Clan, Edinburgh Capitals and local rivals Dundee Stars north of the border, while also joining former BNL foes the Stingrays, Coventry Blaze and Cardiff Devils and former ISL sides Belfast Giants, Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers in the league.

Welcome to the EIHL Fife and all their fans!

Stingrays capture second Star

The Excel Hull Stingrays have today bolstered their likely five strong blueline for the 11/12 Elite League season with the signing of up-and-coming British defenceman Sam McCluskey from Elite League rivals the Dundee Stars.

20 year old McCluskey joins the Rays as a like-for-like replacement for Craig Mitchell, who was today unveiled as a signing for Dan Ceman's Stars, with Mitchell joining brother and former Stingrays forward Lee Mitchell as a summer signing in Dundee.

Their switch along with last week's Stingrays addition of Tristan Cameron-Harper completes a much rumoured four player Tayside-Humberside trade-off of British talent.

McCluskey will come to Hull next season after spending the first six years of his career with hometown side Dundee having made his debut at the age of just 15 in a single appearance in the 05/06 Scottish National League campaign.

With Dundee languishing in the SNL and Northern Hockey League McCluskey had to wait for his chance in the top flight, recording 41 points in 77 games in the process.

He was handed his chance last season at the age of 19 as Dundee stepped up to the Elite League for the first time, and he largely impressed for his tenacious style of play. The Stars clinched the final playoff spot, one place behind the Stingrays, despite starting the year without a win in 15 games and the defenceman recorded two goals and five assists in the process.

His performances over the course of his 52 games season then earned him a selection to the Paul Thompson's preliminary 30 man Great Britain squad for the World Championships, in which GB narrowly missed out on promotion to Pool A for the first time since 1994, and Cloutier was similarly impressed by the Scot's talents:

"Sam had a really good season with Dundee. He is a smart defenceman who skates well and has a good first pass. Sam will be getting plenty of ice time next season and hopefully he can continue to progress. I liked what I saw when we played against Dundee last season. He is a good defenceman with a lot of potential. He was called into the 30-man GB squad for the games against Holland so it shows he is also in Thommo's [GB coach Paul Thompson] thoughts."

He is seen as the ideal replacement for the defenceman Mitchell and comes to Hull in a remarkably similar mould to that of the Rays former D-man, who joined the club with just one top flight year in Edinburgh under his belt, albeit the new addition is on the verge of the GB squad already.

If the Rays edge the Craig Mitchell-McCluskey trade-off, due to the pair's age and proximity to the national team, then the Stars edge the forward trade-off with older brother Lee Mitchell on the fringe of the national side. Although Mitchell has been injury prone in recent years and is also two years old than Cameron-Harper, who also has experience abroad, he is similarly on the fringe of the GB squad and has a number of solid years in the Elite League under his belt.

Dundee native McCluskey becomes the Rays third new British signing of the summer after friend and former teammate Cameron-Harper and former Telford Tigers D-man Daniel Scott signed up to the Rays for next season with both likely to receive substantiated ice-time.

Upon this signing Cloutier confirmed to the Hull Daily Mail that the Scot and Chatham born Scott are likely to make up two of a five strong defence once again next year for the Rays alongside three mostly new import blueliners.

While speculation rightly looks to have written off the chances of Latvian Aivars Gaisins and Canadian Trevor Read returning to the club after less than spectacular seasons, the future of standout D-men Drew Bannister and Kurtis Dulle looks less certain with both contemplating retirement.

Either way it looks likely that next years defensive corps will be guarding the net behind Christian Boucher with all signs pointing to a return for the unremarkable but solid tender.

Trade-off complete as Rays switch Mitchell for Cameron-Harper

Sylvain Cloutier has today completed the signing of former Dundee Stars forward Tristan Cameron-Harper for the Excel Hull Stingrays 11/12 Elite League campaign with the Scot effectively replacing the recently departed Lee Mitchell in a like-for-like trade-off that last week saw Lee Mitchell return to Scotland with Dundee.

22 year old Cameron-Harper becomes the Stingrays fourth summer signing, joining Sylvain Cloutier, Jereme Tendler and Daniel Scott on the Hull roster following the conclusion of his first full season in the British top flight, in which he registered eight goals and nine assists in 39 regular season games with Dan Ceman's first year Stars.

Prior to joining his hometown side for the first time in 09/10 the 6'2 winger opened his professional career in the Netherlands at the age of 17, icing for Nijmegen in both the senior and under-20 league. While he dominated the Dutch junior league, netting 13 goals and 7 assists in 7 games, his professional career began with a bang as he lifted the Dutch championship alongside former Stingrays defenceman Kevin Young, picking up four goals and six assists along the way.

Following his lone season in Holland, the rangy power forward made the switch to North America in 06/07 and spent time in both the junior North American Hockey League, with St. Louis Bandits and Alpena Ice Diggers, and the Maritime Junior A Hockey League in Eastern Canada with the Yarmouth Mariners.

Upon returning to the UK in 2009, Cameron-Harper made his debut in the Elite League against Cardiff while on a trial with the Nottingham Panthers before heading home to record four goals and two assists in eight games in the Northern League with the Stars.

He made the step up to the Elite League alongside Dundee last summer and largely impressed thanks to his size, physical presence, fearless play and effective forechecking as the Stars ended memories of an awful start to the season by qualifying for the playoffs.

Although the only particularly memorable event that occurred to Cameron-Harper in Hull was his high-stick on captain Kurtis Dulle, he certainly caught the eye of Rays player-coach Cloutier, who believes both his size and style of play will make a difference to the Rays next season:

"Tristan is another up-and-coming kid who plays the game with an edge, which I like. He has size and plays physical, he scored eight goals in 41 games last season but I think he can get around 15 for us next year. Tristan players hard every night and pays the price. He brings a physical element which we lacked last year, we were a small team."

It is believed Cloutier was keen on snagging the Scot as soon as it became evident Mitchell was leaving and, while the two are statistically incomparable based on last season, Cameron-Harper appears to have more to his game than putting up points.

Having dropped the gloves with Nottingham Panthers tough guys Alex Penner and Guillaume Lepine in the last year, Cameron-Harper clearly plays the game with a fearless attitude and his added size may be the first in a line of big signings in a change of tactic by Cloutier

With the rush on British players now in full flow following Colin Shields departure from Belfast, it was important the Stingrays player-coach quickly moved to sign a replacement for Mitchell, particularly given demand for quality Brits is at an all-time high following the Elite League's drop in import limit from 12 to 10 for next season.

His signature as well as Daniel Scott's signing from Telford nullifies the departure of both Mitchell brothers, leaving Cloutier searching for at two new Brits to make up for the decrease in non-British players.

One player rumoured to be joining the Stingrays also from Dundee is 20 year old defenceman Sam McCluskey. A fellow Dundee native and a friend of Cameron-Harper, McCluskey is on the verge of the GB squad and is thought to have a bright future in the game, however, demand for him is high with a number of other Elite League sides rumoured to be chasing his signature.

Elsewhere, Cloutier also confirmed that, contrary to popular belief, British forward James Archer, who joined the club last summer only to leave amid the club's collapse, would not be joining the club on a full-time basis next year, instead suggesting he would return on a two-way contract with another English Premier League side.

Mitchell selected; Tendler nominated

The Excel Hull Stingrays have today received a double dose of good news in the final week of the season with the announcements that leading scorer Jereme Tendler has been shortlisted for the Elite League Newcomer of the Year award and that Lee Mitchell has once again been named in the initial Great Britain squad for the upcoming World Championships and friendlies against the Netherlands.

27 year old Tendler - who last night netted his fourth hat-trick of the year against Edinburgh - has enjoyed a phenomenal debut year in the UK, scoring a Stingrays all-time high 48 goals - including an EIHL record 11 shorthanded goals - while adding 28 assists for 76 points, also a franchise high.

He faces tough competition from Cardiff Devils pair Jon Pelle and Craig Weller. American Pelle, also in his first year in the country, tops Tendler with a league high 54 goals this season, while Weller, a former NHLer that can play both up front and in defence, gave the Devils a legitimate league MVP that has since propelled them into title contention.

Meanwhile Mitchell, who added a goal and two assists in last night's 8-0 win, has been named to the GB initial 34 man squad for the third year in a row, with that roster set to be cut to 26 for the pair of friendlies, to be played in Nottingham and Hull, before again being reduced to 23 for the World Championships in Ukraine during April. After another injury hit start to the year, the Scottish born forward is now back to full health and has totaled an impressive nine goals and ten assists in just 24 games this season.

He is the only Stingrays representative in the 34 man roster although former defencemen David and Kevin Phillips have been selected after season's spent in North America and Braehead respectively.

Tendler collects second EIHL Player of the Week award

Excel Hull Stingrays forward Jereme Tendler has collected his second EIHL Player of the Week award in two months after picking up the last weeks accolade for his performances in the club's massive two win, four point weekend.

On Saturday, the Saskatchewan native bagged the first hat-trick of the Stingrays season in the 7-2 demolition of Yorkshire rivals the Sheffield Steelers. He went on to post a crucial goal and assist in the club's 5-4 shootout victory over Nottingham at the Trent FM Arena on Sunday, taking his goalscoring tally to an incredible 21 in 24 games.

Signed in the summer to score goals, the 27 year old has had a thoroughly impressive debut season in Europe, picking up the same award three weeks ago for bagging five goals in three games, including three shorthanded tally's.

His efforts have been crucial right throughout the year and will continue to be for the remainder of the year as Sylvain Cloutier's side search for the consistency that will allow them to retain and build on their current seventh place.

Tendler named EIHL Player of the Week

Excel Hull Stingrays forward Jereme Tendler has been named EIHL Player of the Week having netted five goals and an assist in the Stingrays three fixtures last week.

29 year old Tendler, who joined the Stingrays in the summer from the Corpus Christi Ice Rayz, registered game winning goals against Braehead and Coventry this past week, also netting three shorthanded goals within those five markers.

The Canadian has been a revelation for Sylvain Cloutier thus far this year, accumulating 14 goals from 17 games including all four of the Stingrays game winning goals.

EIHL Preview 10/11

With the eve of the 10/11 Elite League campaign just around the corner, FBB predicts what is to come and looks at key players for the season ahead.

EIHL Champions: Belfast Giants 
Challenge Cup Winners: Sheffield Steelers
Hocktoberfest Winners: Coventry Blaze
Playoff Winners: Belfast Giants
Top Goalscorer: Colin Hemingway (BEL)
Top Pointscorer: Rob Globke (SHE)
Top British Pointscorer: Colin Shields (BEL)
Top Netminder (sv.%): Craig Kowalski (NOT)
Most PIM's: Brad Voth (CAR)

Belfast Giants

'Can Belfast live up to Giant hype?'

Last Season: 2nd, Playoff champions

Prediction: 1st

Key Arrival: Jon Gleed (69GP 1+14 w/AHL Bridgeport Sound Tigers)

Key Returnee: Colin Shields (56GP 34+53)

Tough Guy: Mike Hoffman (7GP 1+0 19PIM w/AHL Hartford Wolfpack)

09/10 Record v Rays: 6 wins, 2 losses

Braehead Clan

'Home support required for Clan to surprise'

Last Season: N/A

Prediction: 6th

Key Arrival: Brendan Cook (62GP 28+39 w/CHL Rapid City Rush)

Key Returnee: N/A

Tough Guy: Cedrick Bernier (7GP 0+0 34PIM w/CHL Arizona Sundogs)

09/10 Record v Rays: N/A

Cardiff Devils

'Consistency the key if the Devils are to challenge for the title'

Last Season: 4th, Challenge Cup and Playoff runners up

Prediction: 4th

Key Arrival: Scott Matzka (7GP 2+7 w/FIN2 Jokipojat)

Key Returnee: Stevie Lyle (56GP 2.66GAA 90.9sv.%)

Tough Guy: Brad Voth (50GP 12+21 347PIM)

09/10 Record v Rays: 8 wins, 2 losses

Coventry Blaze

'Roles reversed, Blaze changes not enough to top Giants?'

Last Season: League champions

Prediction: 2nd

Key Arrival: Owen Fussey (49GP 35+31 w/Edinburgh Capitals)

Key Returnee: Luke Fulghum (56GP 48+32)

Tough Guy: Jeff Smith (45GP 5+14 128PIM w/HOL Nijmegen Devils)

09/10 Record v Rays: 9 wins, 1 loss

Dundee Stars

'Solid defence, but can Dundee find Star forward for inaugural campaign?'

Last Season: N/A

Prediction: 10th

Key Arrival: Jerad Kaufmann (38GP 2.99GAA 91.7sv.% w/IHL Quad City Mallards)

Key Returnee: N/A

Tough Guy: Sean McMorrow (48GP 2+4 310PIM w/Belfast Giants)

09/10 Record v Rays: N/A

Edinburgh Capitals

'New coach, new beginnings in the Capital?'

Last Season:7th

Prediction: 7th

Key Arrival: Adam Taylor (69GP 13+18 w/ECHL Victoria Salmon Kings)

Key Returnee: Jeff Hutchins (50GP 23+40)

Tough Guy: N/A

09/10 Record v Rays: 4 wins, 4 losses

Hull Stingrays

'Can new ownership herald first playoff qualification?'

Last Season: 8th

Prediction: 8th

Key Arrival: Christian Boucher (45GP 2.95GAA ??sv.% w/HOL Nijmegen Devils)

Key Returnee: Konstantin Kalmikov (56GP 21+37)

Tough Guy: N/A

Newcastle Vipers

'Is youthful exuberance going to be enough for inexperienced Vipers?'

Last Season: 7th

Prediction: 9th

Key Arrival: Kyle Sibley (46GP 11+22 w/NOR Maglerund)

Key Returnee: Nathan Salem (51GP 2+8)

Tough Guy: Blair Stayzer (13GP 1+0 34PIM w/IHL Fort Wayne Komets)

09/10 Record v Rays: 3 wins, 5 losses

Nottingham Panthers

'Another attempt, another strong squad, is this the year?'

Last Season: 3rd, Challenge Cup winners

Prediction: 3rd

Key Arrival: Craig Kowalski (32GP 4.14GAA 89.7sv.% w/ITA Valpellice)

Key Returnee: David Clarke (55GP 33+29)

Tough Guy: Alex Penner (51GP 2+7 222PIM)

09/10 Record v Rays: 8 wins, 1 loss

Sheffield Steelers

'Globke and Simon or not, surely the Steelers can't emerge as title contenders after disastrous summer?'

Last Season: 5th, Hocktoberfest winners

Prediction: 5th

Key Arrival: Rob Globke (48GP 5+7 w/DEL Krefeld Pinguine)

Key Returnee: Jeff Legue (56GP 34+41)

Tough Guy: Neil Clark (22GP 7+6 67PIM w/CHL Wichita Thunder)

09/10 Record v Rays: 4 wins, 4 losses

Hocktoberfest returns

Hocktoberfest, the Elite Ice Hockey League's answer to 20/20 cricket, will return for a second year with a new format after a successful launch last year and the Hull Stingrays will once again participate in the one-day tournament at Sheffield Arena.

Last season the Rays were comprehensively beaten 5-1 at the quarter final stage of the inaugural tournament by eventual champions the Sheffield Steelers in a straight knockout competition which saw all eight EIHL sides compete. 

However, this year just six sides will ice in the tournament on the Monday of the August Bank holiday with Dundee, Braehead, Edinburgh and Newcastle all opting to assemble their squad at a date after the competition.

Therefore, the Stingrays will competing with the leagues five title contenders, Belfast, Cardiff, Coventry, Nottingham and Sheffield, for the crown which the Steelers won with a 3-2 victory over Coventry last October.

This year, the six sides will be split into two groups with each side facing the other two in the opening round before the top two sides meet for the grand final. The usual rules allowing just four players and a netminder on the ice for two 20 minute periods with a running clock will return.

While the timing of the announcement of the tournament could have been made a lot earlier, there is no doubt that the idea of this competition as a pre-season warm up is an excellent one, particularly as the four players on the ice rule will allow the players to blow away the summer cobwebs given the extra space on the ice.

The Stingrays and coach Sylvain Cloutier will enter the single day competition 24 hours after opening their pre-season with a tournament of their own.

The P&O Cup, which has yet to be officially announced but is likely to fall between the Friday and Sunday of August Bank Holiday, is rumoured to see Rays, who were last years winners, face-off once again against the Nottingham Panthers and Dutch side the Tilburg Trappers.

Around the EIHL: July

Braehead Clan

Watch out because the Clan are out to upset. Coach Bruce Richardson has signed former Nottingham Panther and goalscorer Brendan Cook from CHL Rapid City and has added Dominic Noel, a 6'0 centre who last season scored 28 points in 32 games between Norway and the Swedish Division One. It's not just upfront that they are looking good either, in defence Richardson has added solid defensive defenceman Cody Bostock from Odense in Denmark and pointscoring defenceman Jon Landry, who comes in after a season split between the CHL, where he hit 31 points in 38 games, and DEL. Netminders are now the order of the day in western Scotland.

Belfast Giants

The Giants are the side everyone is talking about this off-season even with five imports yet to sign. Returning to Northern Ireland is Canadian Brandon Benedict, who contributed 16 goals and 41 assists in the regular season and a further goal and four assists as the Giants won the playoffs. Doug Christiansen has added gritty pointscoring winger Josh Prutton, who hit 36 points in 68 ECHL games in Las Vegas last year, and defenceman Jeff Mason, who is another player that split last season between Europe, in this case the Bundesliga, and the ECHL. The Giants look good as it stands but with five more imports to sign it doesn't bear thinking about how much better they could get.

Cardiff Devils

The Welsh outfit completed their roster this month with four signings, two British returnees and two new import defenceman. Lumbering blueliner Justin Sawyer has signed from the ECHL to provide Brad Voth with some backup in the fighting stakes while standout former Manchester Phoenix Kenton Smith has returned to the UK after a year away in Italy with Valpellice, where he scored two goals and added 15 assists. The confirmation of Brits Alex Symonds and Ben Davies rounded of the Devils roster. The squad Gerard Adams has assembled looks quietly very good, a top four finish, given the Steelers situatuion, is almost a given, what else the South Wales side can do remains to be seen.

Coventry Blaze

A busy July for GB and Coventry boss Paul Thompson with the signing of five players, including four re-signings. The pick of the bunch is the return of of talismanic centreman Dan Carlson for a sixth year in the Midlands after hitting 20 goals and 50 assists last season. Elsewhere, goalscoring tough guy Brad Cruikshank, ever reliable defenceman Mattias Soderstrom and back up netminder Tom Murdy all return to the fold. The one new Blaze signing of the month is man mountain, and former Hull Stingrays target, Jeff Smith, who signs having registered four goals and 14 assists in a championship winning season in Holland with Nijemegen. Just one import remaining for the EIHL Champion Coventry Blaze with that rumoured to be a big one.

Dundee Stars

The Stars finally came to life with regards to signings with the addition of four imports, two of whom have previous experience in the EIHL. Peter Cartwright and Brent Hughes, formerly a Viper, look to have the speed and skill to put the Stars on the scoresheet and their lack of size should, in theory, be negotiated by the signing of entertaining enforcer Sean McMorrow, who will protect the low budget Stars side, and former ECHL power forward Mark Nebus, who also isn't afraid to drop them. On the blueline, coach Dan Ceman has recruited Jason Tessier, a defenceman who scored 32 points in the CHL last year. The Stars remain five imports and a couple of Brits away from a complete squad, August will be an important month for the inaugural EIHL Dundee Stars.

Edinburgh Capitals

The Capitals finally have a head coach. Brad Gratton, an experienced coach and former Cardiff Devil, was appointed as head coach of the Scottish side and immediately went about putting together a roster capable of competing in the upcoming year. Four imports have since joined the club, all with differing backgrounds. Defencemen Evan Schafer and Daniel Madsen have signed from the ECHL and Danish top flight respectively, while forwards Nick Fanton and Adam Taylor have joined from the NCAA and ECHL. Like the Stars, an important month of recruitment lies ahead for the Caps.

Hull Stingrays

Sylvain Cloutier thought he had completed his second squad as Stingrays player coach with six signings, culminating in the addition of former Basingstoke blueliner Trevor Read this month. He has re-signed Brit James Archer and last seasons top scorer Konstantin Kalmikov, while adding starting keeper Christian Boucher from Dutch champions Nijmegen, rookie Andrew Coburn from the NCAA, and Read and tough guy Matt Suderman from France. However, physical defenceman Stephen Burns, who was halfway through a two-year contract, quit the club, leaving Cloutier unexpectedly searching for the final piece of his jigsaw.

Newcastle Vipers

A quiet month for the Vipers and head coach Danny Stewart who continued his theme of having a young but talented squad for next year with the addition of two imports. Polish international Jaroslaw Rzeszutko signs after a career year last season in the Polish top flight and joining him is goalscorer Dan Speer, who becomes the second player to sign for the Vipers from Canadian college. As with Braehead, the netminder signed could be key to their fortunes next year.

Nottingham Panthers

A complete squad, all that is left for coach Corey Neilson to do between now and August is hope that the long wait for a league title ends in 2011.

Sheffield Steelers

What a month for the Steelers. Controversy, the club up for sale, the club not up for sale. No one really knows exactly what is happening or what will become of the Steelers by seasons end. One thing that is for sure is that the Steelers will have a coach for next season with the news that former NHLer Ben Simon will be the South Yorkshire clubs player-coach next year. Simon will have a tough job on his hands with news that some players formerly signed up may be having second thoughts about joining the club. It would be no surprise if Simon were looking to bring in his own players, particularly with the supposed discontent amongst the ranks. An interesting month ahead for Sheffield with more twists and turns likely just around the corner.

Around the EIHL: June

Belfast Giants

The Giants continued their strong start to the 2010 post-season with the month's most eye catching signing as Doug Christiansen lured back former Edinburgh sharpshooter Colin Hemingway, who registered 33 goals and 33 assists in just 47 games in Scotland in 07/08 and has since had great success in the ECHL. Joining him on the Giants roster behind Stephen Murphy is one of the leagues better backups, Nathan Craze, who was poised to move to France before deciding to return to Northern Ireland. Finally, on a less positive note, the man who netted the Giants playoff winning goal and one of their better players last term, Evan Cheverie, has left the club to sign in Norway. The Giants continue to build a squad that looks month-by-month, more and more likely to be title favourites.

Braehead Clan

Working in just his and the clubs second month in the EIHL, coach Bruce Richardson has made three more signings towards to Clan's inaugural season. He has brought in towering former AHL defenceman Tim Wedderburn, 25 year old fellow French-Canadian Bobby Chaumont after two pointscoring years in the CHL and enforcer, and brother of former Stingray Jonathan Bernier, Cedric Bernier. Two more very solid captures for Richardson and Bernier will undoubtedly entertain and protect at Braehead Arena.

Cardiff Devils

After a busy first month the Devils made just two signings in June with British youngster Sam Smith and 32 year old American centre Scott Matzka, who last season played in the Sweden second division and the top two Finnish leagues, including a two game spell in the SM Liga where he netted a goal. Matzka's is being hailed as one of the players to watch next year and it looks as though he will more than adequately replace the gap left by first liner Mark Smith.

Coventry Blaze

In a fairly quiet month, the capture of veteran forward Sean Selmser and netminder Brett Jaeger, both imports, strengthened the Blaze's title credentials probably more than any other side. 35 year old former Ayr forward Selmser has spent the past seven years since leaving Ayr in Austria to varying degrees of success, however, his capture is a coop for the Blaze and he may finally fill the leadership void left by Sylvain Cloutier. Jaeger, who won the CHL two years ago with Texas Brahmas, fills a void of his own, this time the one left by Danish netminder Peter Hirsch in a vital position for every EIHL side.

Dundee Stars

The Stars made three homegrown signings in June but Dan Ceman was yet to sign a fellow import, preferring to build a basis of semi-solid Brits before delving into the import market. Young defenceman Kris Phillips and backup Mark McGill joined from rivals Edinburgh and Euan Forsyth, who has experience in the BNL to his name, re-signed after a year with the club in the Northern League. Next for Ceman must be non-British players.

Edinburgh Capital

Just the single signing for Capitals fans to analyse this month with fan favourite and club record goal, assist and pointscorer Martin Cingel returning for his ninth year in the Scottish Capital. He joins Jeff Hutchins, Bari McKenzie and Kyle Horne at the coachless Capitals.

Hull Stingrays

After a month and a bit of silence, Sylvain Cloutier immediately announced the return of five British players and two new signings at the Stingrays fans forum, while he confirmed that Stephen Burns would be back for another year in the EIHL. Forwards Matty Davies, Lee Mitchell and Lee Esders re-signed in Hull again while defenceman Craig Mitchell and back up netminder Andrew Jaszczyk also returned to all but complete an offensively lacking but hard working British corps. Elsewhere, Cloutier added pointscoring ECHL centre Chris Korchinski and veteran defenceman, and new captain, Joshua Mizerek. The Rays have finally caught up with the rest of the league and they will now hopefully continue to build a solid roster on their ten import setup. On a sour note, it was revealed that evergreen forward Jeff Glowa had departed for the EPL to join former netminder and new Peterborough coach Curtis Cruickshank.

Newcastle Vipers

Two Brits and two imports for Danny Stewart's Vipers as the Rob Wilson (no not that one, his British namesake) and former EPL youngster Sam Zajac signed up to play for their native Newcastle club. Stewart took advantage of the new ruling allowing EIHL clubs to sign players from Canadian college as Dale Mahovsky joined the club after four years at the University of Alberta, while offensive blueline Kyle Sibley also signed to play at Whitley Bay after two years in Norway with Manglerud.

Nottingham Panthers

With their roster all but complete the Panthers added experienced, rugged former ECHL forward Dustin Sproat but lost netminder Kevin St-Pierre to retirement. The departure of the French-Canadian stopper could be seen as a blessing in disguise for Corey Neilson, who will now spend the last two months of the off-season searching for a defenceman and a replacement keeper.

Sheffield Steelers

Finally, the sorry looking Sheffield Steelers. Ravenged by stories of financial losses, the Steelers and Dave Matsos have still had time to sign three North American forwards. Sharpshooting, league leading sniper Jeff Legue has re-signed for another year with the club and joining him is former Coventry, Manchester and Newcastle forward Derek Campbell and Neil Clark, signed from the CHL.

Stingrays to face Giants and Devils on opening weekend

The EIHL today released their full fixture list uncharacteristically early and the responce has been largely positive from all ten clubs.

For the second year in a row the Hull Stingrays home opener will be against perennial title challengers, and last seasons playoff champions, the Belfast Giants, in a weekend in which they also face playoff runners-up Cardiff on the opening day of the new season.

The Rays open their fifth season in the EIHL on Saturday 4 September (7pm) with a trip to Wales to face the Cardiff Devils, whom the Rays infamously clashed with on the second weekend of the season last year, before they return home to take on the Giants, who they faced in their opening home fixture last term, on Sunday (5.30pm).

A double header against the Sheffield Steelers, starting with a Challenge Cup game at the Sheffield Arena, follows the next weekend in the first of four home and away double headers over the season. In a changed format, due to the addition of Braehead and Dundee, the three clubs joining the Steelers in the Stingrays very tough Challenge Cup group are Cardiff, Coventry and Nottingham, with each side due to face the other once, home or away.

A festive calendar consisting of a double header against Newcastle closes with a home game to EIHL newcomers Dundee, before they open the new year with an away fixture in Northern Ireland against the Giants.

Finally, the Stingrays end the season with a home double header for the third year in a row as Edinburgh and Nottingham visit the Hull Arena for the final time of the 10/11 season.

A full list of fixtures can be found on the Stingrays official website.

Around the EIHL: May

Belfast Giants

The Northern Irish side claimed the EIHL playoff title just last month, however, they were almost immediately rocked by the news that the stalwart of that truimph, player-coach Steve Thornton, was quitting to return to Canada. The Giants frantically began searching for a coaching replacement, and by the time Doug Christiansen had crossed the Irish Sea to join the side as player-coach from fellow EIHL side Edinburgh the organisation had already re-signed the base of last seasons playoff winning squad in British netminder Stephen Murphy, defencemen Graeme Walton and Tim Cook, and forwards Evan Cheverie, Robert Peacock and Colin Shields. Having lost Thornton, George Awada, Shane Johnson and Mark Morrison joined the Canadian in retirement, and Nathan Craze and Kevin Phillips departed for France and Braehead respectively, leaving the Giants with big holes right across the board. Nevertheless, the perennial title contenders began to fill the gaps with the standout signings of AHL defenceman Jon Gleed from Bridgeport Sound Tigers and GB international Mark Garside, who followed Christiansen from Edinburgh. Should the Christiansen continue signing in the vein that he has in April and May, the Giants will be early favourites for the title.

Braehead Clan

The Clan were struck with an unexpected dilemma in late April as new player coach Adam Calder, the all time EIHL leader in goals, quit the club as rumoured, however, the Glasgow based side moved quickly to replaced him with Nottingham's determined former captain Bruce Richardson. The 32 year old immediately set about recruiting a solid set of Brits as D men Kevin Phillips and John Connolly joined from fellow EIHL sides Belfast and Edinburgh, and young, hopeful EPL forwards Sam Bullas (Swindon) , Matt Haywood (Sheffield), former Stingray Shaun Thompson (Basingstoke) and Adam Walker (Manchester) signed from the English Premier League (EPL) after eye catching seasons. He completed a busy first month in the job with the signing of Derek Patrosso, his first import, from Port Huron Ice Hawks where the American registered 70 points in 71 games, and former teammate and defensive defenceman MathieuWathier, from French top flight side Tours.

Cardiff Devils

The Devils, who finished runners-up to the Giants in the season ending EIHL playoffs, have been the second busiest side in the early off-season with the signing of no less than 14 players. Coach Gerard Adams has returned to full-time defenceman for the Welsh side, following the loss of Mike Hartwick (retirement), Scott Romfo and British veteran Jason Stone (EPL), however, joining the player-coach on the blueline is returnee GB international Mark Richardson and Canadian Mark Smith, who has signed after a wholly successful season in Edinburgh. In the hope of developing some homegrown netminding talent, Adams has already signed four British goalies, Michael Crisp, Joe Myers and prospect Martin Clarkson, all of whom will back up hometown hero and starting keeper Stevie Lyle. Upfront they have managed to retain a core of forwards, including Brad Voth, Max Birbraer, Ryan Finnerty, Phil Hill and Tylor Michel, adding point-scoring CHLers Stuart McRae and Jon Pelle to the mix, while losing just Mark Smith and Matt Towe to retirement and Guildford respectively.

Coventry Blaze

Following their fourth EIHL title the Blaze have had a steady but progressive summer so far. Although they have lost a couple of players to former player Tom Watkins and his new EPL side Telford Tigers, including Joe Henry and Jack Watkins, as well as Danny Stewart, who is the new player-coach of Newcastle, GB and Blaze coach Paul Thompson has, like many of the top sides, re-signed a majority of his best players from last term in Jonathan Weaver, Brian Lee, Greg Owen, Russ Cowley, Greg Chambers and Luke Fulghum, four of which are GB internationals. He has built on those key squad members with defensive defenceman and big hitter Brad Zanon and standout Edinburgh forward and NHLer of three games Owen Fussey, who have presumably been signed to replace the voids left by Jason Robinson and Adam Calder respectively. Danish international and championship winning netminder Peter Hirsch has confirmed he is leaving the side however and, while Thompson has confirmed there is a 'head turning' signing on its way, signing a quality netminder will now be seen as a must.

Dundee Stars

Understandably the EIHL's newest side have made just three signings since their admission to the league at the end of April. The first signing of their EIHL era, prior to the announcement of their new coach, became Dundee born forward John Dolan, who has served the club so well since it dropped out of the BNL. The signing all Stars fans were waiting for, however, was the appointment of player-coach and on 25 May, 36 year old former Nottingham, Sheffield and Bracknell forward Dan Ceman was announced as their second signing. Since leaving the Elite League in 05/06, he has spent four seasons in Denmark with Sonderjyske recording 168 points in 160 games and he is now charged with the task of making Dundee competitive in their first season of EIHL play, a challenge many start-up teams have struggled with. Since the announcement of Ceman as coach, another former BNL Star has rejoined the club with forward Gary Wishart re-signing to the club ahead of its first season in the EIHL.

Edinburgh Capitals

The loss of Doug Christiansen was a massive one for the Caps and since his appointment as Belfast player-coach it has been almost exclusively out-goings from the Scottish side as Mike Beynon (France), Mark Smith (Cardiff), John Connolly (Braehead), Ben O'Connor (France), Owen Fussey (Coventry) and Mark Garside (Belfast) have all exited Murrayfield. It's not quite been all bad news for the coachless Caps as general manager and acting head coach Scott Neil has managed to keep hold of import forward Jeff Hutchins and GB defenceman Kyle Horne, adding just Solway Sharks forward Bari McKenzie to the side. Nevertheless, he is left with the massive task of bringing the Caps up to speed by both signing a coach and getting said coach into a position to sign a competitive squad before September.

Hull Stingrays

Even quieter than the Caps this off-season have been the Stingrays, who have yet to make a signing this summer. While admittedly both player-coach Sylvain Cloutier and Stephen Burns were signed on two-year contracts and will return in 10/11, the noises coming from the Hull Arena have been reduced to silence since the departure of player-assistant coach Curtis Huppe. Indeed, since his release both James Hutchinson (EPL) and Adam Knight (CHL) have signed elsewhere, although admittedly, it is only a matter of time before the Rays summer kicks into gear.

Newcastle Vipers

Upon arriving on Tyneside Vipers new player-coach Danny Stewart was hit with the news that the core of Newcastle's British contingent was departing for pastures new. David Longstaff (EPL), Ben Campbell, Dean Holland (EPL) and Richie Lawson left the club, however, Stewart reacted speedily to their loss with the signing of backup netminder Liam McAllister, and  forwards Jamie Tinsley and Nathan Salem before adding experienced North East native Paul Sample to the mix after a year away from the sport. Joining himself on the import front so far is big utility defeceman Blair Stayzer, from IHL side Fort Wayne, and forward Jamie Carroll, who has 205 points to his name in a three year, 221 game stint in the IHL. During the month it was also confirmed that American defencemen Jerrmaine Domish (Sheffield) and Ryan Mahrle, and forward Matic Krajl (France) would not be returning to the Vipers.

Nottingham Panthers

Having re-signed Corey Neilson as player-coach, the Nottingham Panthers, as usual, shot out of the gates re-signing nine of last seasons semi-successful squad while adding a further six players to replace the departing Nick Toneys, Geoff Woolhouse, Mark Hatley, Bruce Richardson (Braehead), Kevin Bergin (France), Marty Gascon (France), Sean McAslan (retirement) and Cameron Mann (retirement). Defensively, Kevin St-Pierre retained his place between the pipes and in front of him British defencemen Tom Norton, Stevie Lee and Danny Meyers all returned to be joined by backup netminder Dan Green and offensive defenceman Jonathan Zion from fierce rivals the Sheffield Steelers. Upfront GB internationals David Clarke and Marc Levers re-signed as did experienced imports Jade Galbraith and Jay Henderson. Joining those familiar faces is tough guy Alex Penner from Colorado in the CHL, goalscorer David-Alexandre Beauregard, last seen in the UK with Manchester but signed after a brief spell in Italy and the CHL, Robert Lachowicz, who rejoins the club after a season of development in Manchester, and Billy Ryan, a former New York Rangers draft pick with experience of the ECHL and AHL.

Sheffield Steelers

Finally, the Sheffield Steelers, who, despite finishing in an all-time low 5th position last season, have re-signed seven of their squad as well as adding two former players who just left over a year ago. Forward Ashley Tait (Italy) and defenceman Steve Munn (Japan) have rejoined the side they won the double with in 08/09 and they join re-signees Mark Thomas, Kevin Bolibruck and Rod Sarich on D, and forwards Joey Talbot, Robert Dowd, Jason Hewitt and Jonathan Phillips in the squad for next term. The Steelers have also added Latvian national team stopper Ervins Mustukovs and Newcastle defenceman Jerrmaine Domish to the fold after releasing Andrew Verner, Dan Green (Nottingham), Ben Morgan (EPL), Scott Basiuk, Randy Dagenais, Mike Sgroi, Doug Sheppard (EPL) and Robert Farmer (EPL) from last seasons side.