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.

Brits the target of latest injury curse

The dreaded injury curse that will likely strangle every Elite League side over the course of the 56 game schedule has struck Sylvain Cloutier's Excel Hull Stingrays side hard and early.

Cloutier, who was last season deprived of mainly defencemen early in the year, has this season lost four British players less than a month into the campaign.

19 year old defenceman Craig Mitchell was the first victim, breaking his arm blocking a shot in Braehead, before older brother Lee followed less than a  week later suffering an unspecified injury that later turned out to be a reoccurance of the knee injury that has so far plagued his career.

Forward Ryan Lake, who has started off the season where he left the sport four years ago, then broke a bone in his thumb having taken a tumble into the boards against Newcastle on Sunday, before Lee Esders injured his knee in an innocuous challenge in Belfast last night, potentially ruling him out for two months.

With the exception of Lee Mitchell, who may return in a shorter time frame depending of the severity of his injury, the foursome are all likely to sit out at least four weeks leaving Cloutier's side short for a minimum of 13 games.

The injuries might not have been so bad had they been to imports, given availability of replacement Europeans and North Americans in comparison to the scarcity of available British trained players, all of whom are already signed up and playing.

Realistically, unless he is looking for a long term replacement for one of the four, Cloutier will have to scavenge for two-way contracts with English Premier League or English National League sides, like he did last year with James Archer.

Despite quitting on the team after originally signing in the summer, Archer may be one of the players Cloutier approaches, having hit four goals and four assists in ten games with the EPL Manchester Phoenix

Indeed, there may be other options at the Phoenix, or nearby EPL sides Sheffield and Peterborough, but with the club down to just 12 outskaters, including just two Brits, Matty Davies and the inexperienced Ben Lowe, it is important the right players are signed and available to ice for the Rays as regularly and as soon as possible.

Time is not something Cloutier has in abundance though, with a home and away double header against Cardiff quickly approaching this weekend before a game in Nottingham next Wednesday.

Archer joins Manchester as Rays revival begins

British forward James Archer has joined Matt Suderman in leaving the Hull Stingrays amid news of a club revival following last weeks admission that previous owners Mike and Sue Pack would be unable to ice a team this season.

Archer has joined Pavel Gomenyuk and Curtis Huppe in signing in the EPL with Tony Hand's Manchester, however, it now appears that new backers are ready to step in to save the Stingrays this season.

An official announcement on the news is expected soon but it is thought the majority of Sylvain Cloutier's previous 16 man squad have held off signing elsewhere with the league prepared to allow the club to start the season in October.

While the identity of the backers are currently unknown, they are thought to have some involvement in the Coventry Blaze and appear to have acted very quickly in an attempt to save the team for this season.

Whoever the group may be, it seems they may have a long term plan for the club with it highly unlikely that they are a short term measure to save the Rays for just the one season.

Cloutier gets his man

After 6 months of trying, Sylvain Cloutier has finally acquired the signature of 21 year old British forward James Archer from English Premier League side Sheffield Scimitars.

Another product of the Sheffield youth setup, he has spent the majority of the last five years in the British second tier, spending time with Peterborough Phantoms, Sheffield Scimitars and Milton Keynes Lightning. During that time, however, he has also spent time in the Elite League with Coventry, icing in 25 games alongside Cloutier at the Skydome based club.

While his time in Coventry was largely unsuccessful, his points production in the EPL was more than enough to suggest he had the potential to produce in the Elite League and, having played alongside Archer before, Cloutier offered him a two-way deal last season, allowing him to ice for the Stingrays when his contracted side, the Scimitars, did not have a game scheduled.

Although the former GB junior international would play just seven games for the Stingrays, he did more than enough to once again impress the coach, netting three goals and one assist in his opening five games.

"James did a great job when he came in to help us last season. He knew his role and he filled it and he knows how to put the puck in the net. He can play physical and he comes to work every night."

The Stingrays boss spent the final two months of the season trying in vain to get the Scimitars to allow him to move to the Hull Arena, before he eventually had to admit defeat. Instead, Cloutier pounced as soon as the 21 year old's contract expired this summer, finally bringing an end to the chase.

"I've tried to sign him twice before, but he had already committed to Sheffield Scimitars and didn't want to jump ship. I respected that. It shows a great character person. I guess you could say it's third time lucky for us."

Having impressed so much last year, Cloutier is expecting even more next season from a player that has registered 106 goals, 82 assists for 188 points in 244 EPL games.

"I expect him and Lee Mitchell to put up some number offensively for us and can add a physical presence. James is still young and he will benefit from having a full season at Elite League level. I am really excited to have him on board"

Archer joins Lee Esders, Lee Mitchell, Matty Davies as the Stingrays Brit forward pack and it is likely that, with Cloutier going for four import D and five import forwards, he may be this summers last British acquisition save for one or two reinforcements.

Hull Stingrays 2009-2010 Season Review: Up Front

Forwards

 

Jeff Glowa (56GP 12+35 54PIM)

Grade: B

Return: Yes

Glowa is Mr Hull Stingrays, there are no two ways about it, he typifies what the fans want to see from a import Stingray; dedication, goals, skill, hits and that fight to the death attitude. Captain once again, Glowa, was, thankfully, not relied upon so much for his goals this season as his leadership, although he did still post a very credible 14 goals and 52 points in 60 games. At 34, he may not have many more years left in the black, white and grey of the Stingrays but surely Cloutier will retain Glowa, the Stingrays all-time leader in goals, assists and points, for, at least, a record seventh year.

Lee Esders (63GP 10+9 58PIM)

Grade: C

Return: Yes

The Beverly born youngster once again reached double figures in goals, outscoring fellow British forwards Matty Davies, James Archer, Ben Lowe and Shaun Thompson, however, a number of costly errors, including two unnecessary penalties in the Quarter Final 1st Leg against Coventry, may overshadow what was another positive season. He was noticeably less physical than in recent years as a result somewhat less effective, perhaps as a result of his increased role going forward, but nevertheless a return should be on the cards given what is generally expected from the diminutive hardworking forward.

Konstantin Kalmikov (63GP 37+29 4PIM)

Grade: A

Return: Yes

Praise was heaped on the former Ukrainian international last year after he led the Stingrays in a first year with the team in which he netted 25 goals. Fast forward 365 days and a career year in goals (37), assists (29) and points (66), as well as a season full of the Kharkov born winger's natural speed, skill and defensive responsibility, and he deserves yet more praise. The hard work to retain the Stingrays Player and Forward of the Year now begins and it is certain that the Rays fans and management are united in their desire for 'Kalmi' to re-sign, whether other Elite League teams are chasing him remains to be seen.

Lee Mitchell (46GP 14+21 56PIM)
Grade: A-
Return: Yes

It has been another fantastic season for Mitchell, notching a career best 35 points and levelling his a career best in goals (14), despite missing nearly 20 games early in the season due to a knee injury. Had it not been for the injury he would have almost certainly been pushing the 50 point barrier, putting him into the premium British forward category, and into the Great Britain squad, rather than once again being on the brink of Paul Thompson's team. The year-on-year development of the Kirkcaldy born forward at in Hull has been more than noticeable and, after being named Coaches and Players Player of the Year, it is clear that he is highly thought of within hockey circles, particularly in Hull. Like Kalmikov, the challenge is to now keep him at the Hull Arena for at least another year, especially if his expected development is to continue in line with recent years, other Elite League sides will undoubtedly have a say on this however.

Matty Davies (58GP 4+12 12PIM)
Grade: C-
Return: Yes

Davies started his rookie EIHL campaign on the bench, however, Lee Mitchell's injury gave him the opportunity to prove what he was worth and, after netting two assists in the team's third game of the season against Edinburgh and his first goal against that same Capitals side on Boxing Day, he managed to oust Shaun Thompson from his role on the third line following Mitchell's return. Having been given that guaranteed spot Davies was found out, with his size, or rather lack of size, being a big hurdle to overcome. He showed periods of skill and speed but, more often than not, his size and lack of strength found him easily dispossessed. Next season looks like a tossup between him and nine goal Lee Esders, who is notably more physical, however, there is room for development if he does return alongside Esders.

Jason Silverthorn (45GP 21+27 32PIM)
Grade: B+
Return: Yes

Signing Silverthorn in place of Matt Reynolds was nearly as crucial a signing for Sylvain Cloutier as replacing Sandahl with Raitums. The Ontario born forward continued Elite League form that has seen him record all but point-per-game season's in each of his three previous spells in the UK and in general play he proved to be a great signing for the Stingrays. 'Silver' provided yet more offence behind Kalmikov, Glowa and Huppe but it was his unselfish, all-around play that was more valuable to Clouter. Although he lacked some physicality in his game, which is fair enough give his size and stature, Silverthorn provided goals, playmaking ability, defensive responsibility and, perhaps most of all, good on-ice decision making, most obvious when he decided to pass to Konstantin Kalmikov rather than shoot when presented with a big chance for the Rays 1st Leg Quarter Final goal. The Stingrays best all-around player should in theory return next year, it would be a surprise, given his scoring exploits, if Cloutier were not to at least try and re-sign him.

Adam Knight (55GP 7+13 220PIM)
Grade: D
Return: No

Knight was brought in to not only protect and entertain but also put up numbers after being restricted to tough guy minutes in his rookie year in the Central Hockey League last season. It was mission accomplished for Knight based on his skills as protector and entertainer as fights against the likes of Brad Voth and Sean McMorrow both sent out a message to opposing sides and entertained fans, however, despite setting career bests in all categories, when it came to playing capabilities, the Stingrays require more offensively from their import forwards. It is certain that both he and coach Cloutier will be relatively happy with his contribution but given the benefit of hindsight Cloutier may want to re-assess the balance of skill and toughness in his tough guy or indeed the overall toughness of his team. So, despite becoming a certain fan favourite, Knight does appear to be one of the more expendable components of this years team.

Curtis Huppe (57GP 21+23 38PIM)
Grade: C-
Return: No

For any ordinary Elite League player, netting 21 goals and 23 assists represents a fairly good season, unless, of course, you have scored 26, 28 and 36 goals in three of your last four Elite League showings like Huppe. The Stingrays assistant coach started the regular season very slowly after netting in pre-season against the Panthers and, in reality, he didn't truly get going until post-Christmas. Luckily, the Stingrays form improved as his did and, despite going missing on a number of occasions, he went on the score 21 goals, including an team record 4 against the Sheffield Steelers on the final day of the season. Away from the points and it is a little less impressive for the former Belfast and Coventry sniper, as more often than not, his heart didn't look in it. This was compounded by criticism, some deserved, some not, from the stands. Ultimately, as a top earner at the team, it is this criticism and a spell of poor performances that may see he and good friend Cloutier mutally end the Stingrays-Huppe experiment.

Sylvain Cloutier (51GP 10+20 94PIM)

Grade: C
Return: Yes

Unlike his assistant coach Huppe, on the ice Cloutier showed all the heart, grit and determination that Coventry fans suggested he would show, and then some. In fact, he even went above and beyond that in the playoffs when, against his former side, the coach did his best to lead the Stingrays from the front, playing playoff hockey as playoff hockey should be played...painfully. He may be disappointed with his points and goals totals, although they did eventually rise to reach a respectable 10 goals and 30 points, however, his role as a player is now diminishing with age and his primary role is now coaching, as a result he certainly should not be relied on for goals or points. A confirmed returnee as player-coach, he will have learnt a lot from a tough first year in the position, so expect an improved coach and player next season.

James Archer (7GP 3+1 2PIM)

Grade: C+

Return: Yes

Signed on a two-way contract to bolster the Stingrays forward lines, Archer became a must have by the end of his stint despite icing in just seven games. Three goals in his opening five games endeared him to the coach and fans alike, and, as such, it would be a shock if Cloutier did not pursue the Brit once his contract with the Sheffield Scimitars expires in the summer. It was rumoured that 'Cloots' did try and sign him midway through the season only for the Scimitars, whom he recorded 26 goals and 20 assists in 52 games for, to deny his approach. Nevertheless, a re-approach is expected this post-season.

Ben Lowe (23GP 0+0 0PIM)

Grade: D+

Return: No

Lowe was brought in for depth following the sudden departure of Shaun Thompson and, in all honesty, he received little ice time. He did an average job on the rare occasion he stepped onto the ice with the third line but he was no match for fellow British forwards Matty Davies or Lee Esders. He will most likely return to the ENL next season, hopefully combining playing with the Kingston Jets with training with the Stingrays, because, even though Cloutier is very likely to try and sign James Archer or another Brit in his place, he has potential and it is important for the future that the Stingrays develop and nurture that talent.

MIA

Shaun Thompson (41GP 1+10 26PIM)

Grade: D

Return: No

Much was expected of Thompson after a huge career year in Basingstoke last year. For whatever reason that did not develop into another stellar year in the Elite League with the Stingrays and, after failing to impress ahead of Matty Davies, he slipped behind the Beverly born forward in the pecking order. After becoming unhappy with the amount of ice time he was receiving, despite starting the year on the top two lines and bagging just one goal all year, he quit the team to return to Basingstoke, this time in the EPL.

Slava Koulikov (11GP 1+2 6PIM)

Grade: E

Return: No

This came across as the Russian born Brits final chance in Hull after being given numerous by previous coach Rick Strachan. Cloutier, at the very minimum, expected points from Koulikov and, once those points failed to materialise, his salary was cut from the team at the same time as Matt Reynolds in order to make way for a fresh batch of players. It is unfortunate for him after such a long and memorable career with the Stingrays but, in reality, he had ridden his luck far too often in the past. He went on to sign for the Slough Jets in the EPL.

Matt Reynolds (11 1+4 22PIM)

Grade: D+

Return: No

Of the three cut forwards Reynolds can probably count himself most unlucky at being cut. After breaking his hand at the three quarter stage of last season he was not the same player for the rest of the campaign and that form simply continued this year, perhaps an indicator that his hand injury was still giving him trouble. He was begrudgingly released by Cloutier early in the season in favour of Jason Silverthorn and, while Reynolds was a particular fan favourite and didn't perform badly this year, Silverthorn excelled in his place.

Stingrays get Lowe, Lowe, Lowe, Lowe, Lowe

Sylvain Cloutier has today promoted 19 year old forward Ben Lowe from a two-way contract with the Kingston Jets to a permanent Excel Hull Stingrays contract for the rest of the season.

The youngster, who has been used sparingly in six Rays games so far this season, has spent all season training with both the Stingrays and the English National League Kingston Jets, where he had registered nine goals and seven assists in 17 games.

His signing suggests that Cloutier has admitted defeat in his attempt to sign Sheffield Scimitars forward James Archer on a permanent basis following the Sheffield-born players impressive performances during his five two-way appearances so far this season in which he has netted three goals and an assist.

While Archer will still be on Cloutier's radar for next season, he has now moved on to fill the gap left by Shaun Thompson's departure to Basingstoke with Lowe, who will give the Stingrays some further depth following injury to previous depth signing Aivars Gaisins, who appeared in just two Rays games before breaking his hand in Belfast on Thursday.

Lowe was handed his first real ice time in Sunday's win over Newcastle, after Gaisins injury and illness struck Adam Knight pre-game, and the youngster performed well on a line with fellow Kingston trained youngsters Matty Davies and Lee Esders, perhaps feeling he could have scored his first goal for the club in the second period with a big chance that was saved by Vipers keeper Michel Robinson.

Sylvain Cloutier admitted that he has been improving all year long and that he was pleasantly surprised at the performance of the slight forward agianst the Vipers:

"I am really pleased to have Ben in the line-up for the rest of the season. He has been practicing with us all season and you can see the improvement he has made. He wants to get better and we want to help make him a better player. It's nice to have another local talent in the line-up - you always want to help and make the young local guys into better hockey players.

Ben did a great job against Newcastle. With Knighter [Adam Knight] out he gave us another pair of leg. He could have just sat on the bench but we gave him a chance to see what he could do and he did nothing wrong. he can skate, has some speed and has good hands. He can only get better."

Archer signs two-way deal

On Sunday night, the Excel Hull Stingrays announced that the team had come to terms with English Premier League side the Sheffield Scimitars to sign 21 year old British forward James Archer on a two-way contract.The contract, the first to be handed out by the team's second ever head coach Sylvain Cloutier, allows Archer to ice for the Rays if and when the Scimitars do not have a game.

The Rays have already benefited from the former GB U20's presence twice, not least on Sunday against the Nottingham Panthers, where Archer scored his first goal at Elite League level with a cool finish that ultimately proved crucial in helping the Rays to a 5-4 victory.

That goal added to the assist he recorded in his first game as a Stingray last weekend as the Rays claimed a point in a shootout loss to that very same Panthers side. However, he does have previous Elite League experience with the Coventry Blaze, where he iced in a total of 33 games, registering just one assists.

Without doubt his development as a player has been served almost exclusively in the EPL, where he has been a very effective player with stints in his hometown Sheffield, Peterborough, where he played much of his early career, and, last season, Milton Keynes allowing him to accumulate over 140 points in 200 plus games.

So far this season the British forward has netted 14 times in the EPL for the Scimitars adding nine assists in 23 games as the Sheffield based side sit in 5th place and he will provide depth and energy to Cloutier's side for the remainder of the season.

Cloutier, who played with Archer at Coventry, revealed that he will play for the Rays in this months games against Edinburgh, on Boxing Day, and Coventry on the December 30.

"I was with James in Coventry so I know what he is capable of. He didn't get a lot of ice time with Coventry and moved on. But we have signed him on a two-way contract and he will play for us in Edinburgh and against Coventry [on December 30]. I thought he worked hard against Nottingham and took his goal well. He certainly adds some energy to our play when he is on the ice."