Gomenyuk signs for season; Smith named captain; 11th import inbound?

Ukrainian defenceman Pavel Gomenyuk has agreed to extend his short-term contract at the Hull Stingrays until the end of the 2013/2014 season.

The 35 year old guested for the club at the weekend as they dug in deep with a short bench to return home with a huge three points against Gardiner conference rivals following a shootout loss to Fife and 5-4 triumph over Edinburgh.

Gomenyuk - who will now partake in his 6th season in Hull - notched an assist and four penalty minutes over the weekend and is the club's fifth import blueliner.

While the defenceman has been criticised for some of his play in the past and would not have necessarily been most people's first choice, he is a welcome, cheap and most importantly immediate addition for Sylvain Cloutier - who has been struggling to pin down prospective players.

Of the Gomenyuk confirming his deal, Cloutier said:

"Gomy wanted to come back. He really enjoyed being back playing at the weekend, he settled in well with the other guys and had a lot of fun with them. He had no problem adjusting and you could not tell he had not played all season. Gomy is an experienced guy who will help out our defence a lot. He reads the game well and knows where to be out there. He will also boost our powerplay and penalty kill."

Meanwhile, following the departure of former captain Matt Suderman, Cloutier today announced that alternate captain Jeff Smith has been chosen to become the club's new captain.

The 32 year old veteran is incredibly well liked and respected both in the dressing room and by fans and is seen by Cloutier as the perfect captain and leader.

"Smitty has always been a leader in the dressing room since he came here. He has the respect of everybody and is a leader on and off the ice. He is someone you can rely on out there, he has been around, has captained teams before and has a lot of experience. He has also won championships wherever he has been. Last season was a tough one for Smitty with the problems he had not even being able to put his skates on. But he kept on battling for the team and is someone who never gives up and that is why he got the coach's award.

The move left a vacant alternate captain slot alongside Jason Silverthorn which Cloutier also announced has been filled by fellowed defenceman Martin Ondrej.

Finally, it is believed that the Stingrays have located and, indeed, signed their final import - a replacement for the long-departed Derek Campbell.

Speculation suggests that, pleased with the club's firepower in Jereme Tendler, Guillaume Doucet and the ever-improving Carl Lauzon, Cloutier may have plumped for a further import defenceman to shore up their back line in front of Ben Bowns and that that blueliner is another former Stingray.

The addition of another import defenceman would mean the versatile Kyle Mariani reverting back to his third-line forward spot alongside Tom Squires and Bobby Chamberlain - once he returns from Great Britain Under-20 duty.

Although the new import signing won't be in the country in time for Thursday's fixture in Dundee as they await a work permit clearance, it was hoped they may have him in the country in time for this weekend's home game against the Edinburgh Capitals.

Hull Stingrays 12/13 Season Review: At The Back

Netminders

#33 Ben Bowns

54GP 3.35GAA 90.5sv.%

Grade: A

Next season: Hull Stingrays (Confirmed)

A solid rookie campaign for the Great Britain number two who made his national team debut and Elite League debut this season at the age of just 22. Completely aside from the fact his addition allows the Rays an vital extra outskating import, Bowns was impressive behind a blueline that, particularly early in the season, had a tenancy to go MIA.

#30 Greg Blais 

8GP 3.72GAA 90.0sv.%

Grade: C+

Next season: Not returning; unknown (Rumour)

The Canadian ably filled the Bowns shaped hole between the pipes on two occasions when the Stingrays this season clashed with GB Olympic Qualifiers and, as a result, he ended the year with two wins from five games. He won't be returning next term but in his first season in the Elite League, after recent stays in Belgium, the EPL, France and Norway, he did his reputation no harm whatsoever with a series of competent performances.


Also dressed: Liam Jackson, Jack Dalby, Samuel Tolley, Brandon Stones, Andy Brummitt, Warren Gilfoyle, Zack Brown.

Defencemen

#20 Shane Lovdahl

55GP 3+12 90PIM

Grade: B-

Next season: Retired (Confirmed)

The now retired former CHL defenceman made a slow start to life in the Elite League but came good as the season wore on. His two goal and a fight performance in the 3-1 win against Fife in March was a season highlight for the American - who proved to be a reliable defensive addition to the club in 13/14.

#44 Ryan Hand

54GP 2+15 266PIM

Grade: C

Next season: Not returning; EIHL/CHL (Rumour)

Put in simple terms the 28 year old enforcer was brought in to protect his teammates and entertain fans. Based on those two short and sweet objectives Hand's single season in Hull was a complete and roaring success. Unfortunately, with the Rays in the physically tame and ultra competitive Gardiner Conference, they lacked not the physicality and protection which Hand provided but the goals and offence which he did not. It is for this reason then that fearless fan favourite Hand - one of the toughest players in the EIHL last season - split opinion down the middle and, ultimately, won't return for a second year in Hull.

#08 Kurtis Dulle

GP56 12+29 180PIM

Grade: C+ (11/12: B-)

Next season: Hull Stingrays/retirement (Rumour)

The Rays captain had something of a Jekyll and Hyde third season in Hull. Below par and penalty prone in the first half of the year but outstanding and largely penalty-less in the second half. His frustrations saw him take a career high 180 penalty minutes this season but with just 26 coming in February and March combined. From January onwards Dulle was a one-man wrecking ball - the perfect embodiment of what a captain should be, leading his team by example. Though he'll admit that his career is winding down, and has been for the last few years, 'second-half Dulle', like '10/11 Dulle' and '12/13 Dulle' would again be a positive re-signing for Cloutier and the Stingrays - should he not hang up the skates

#05 Jeff Smith

GP55 3+12 104PIM

Grade: C

Next season: Hull Stingrays (Rumour)

Like many of the Rays defensive corps, Smith took time to get going with the Stingrays and was criticised by some for poor positioning and a lack of speed. The addition of Martin Ondrej seemed to shore up the Rays D though and Smith's form improved in turn. Clearly highly thought of in the dressing room by coach and teammates alike - having received Stingrays Coaches Player of the Year from Cloutier at the end of season awards - the well liked defenceman may yet return for a second season in Hull.

#11 Scott Robson

37GP 0+0 4PIM

Grade: B+

Next season: Hull Stingrays (Confirmed)

The youngster only received regular ice-time in a handful of the 37 games in which he dressed during his rookie campaign. However, on the few occasions he did receive a regular shift - most notably against Coventry Blaze on the final day of the season - the 17 year old belied his age with some seriously impressive performances for someone so young.

#06 Martin Ondrej

43GP 2+13 60PIM

Grade: A- (11/12: C-) 

Next season: Hull Stingrays (Confirmed)

Criticised for his poor positional play early in his first season with the club, Ondrej's dramatic turn in form last year played a big part in the Rays progressing to the EIHL Playoffs Semi-Finals. Upon rejoining the team in in October the 29 year old carried on where he left off, going from strength-to-strength this season to become the club's standout defenceman. Physically punishing, gritty and defensively solid, he was deservedly awarded with a contract for a third season in the city

#07 Dmitri Rodin

26GP 1+7 36PIM

Grade: C (11/12: B)

Next season: Retired (Confirmed)

After struggling to notch the goals and points in the EPL with Sheffield and Telford, Rodin also returned to the club midway through 12/13 but initially struggled to make an impact. His form - most importantly his transition from defence to offence - and huge hits eventually returned somewhat, albeit not to the levels of his first year in Hull. Now retired from the sport at 38, the abiding memory of the Estonian for most Stingrays fans will surely be his trademark hip-check which he performed with alarming success on Steve Birnstill on 14th April - flipping the Canadian with such force he very nearly performed a full-length flip.


MIA: #55 Tomas Valecko (D- - Poor defensively, ineffective offensively, writing was on the wall when he was moved to forward)

Also dressed: Brett Chapman

Ondrej to return for third season

Photo courtesy Dean Woolley

It was announced prior to the Hull Stingrays victorious final game of the 12/13 season last night that Slovakian defenceman Martin Ondrej has re-signed for a third season with the club.

The hard hitting 6'1 blueliner has become a staple of the Stingrays blueline this season as one of the club's most consistent performers, posting two goals, 13 assists and 60 penalty minutes in 45 games after replacing countryman Tomas Valecko early in the season.

Originally signed from Italian second division side Milano Rossoblu in 2011, Ondrej took time to settle in Hull last season and struggled, particularly positionally, early in his first season in the country. He eventually found his form towards the tail end of the 11/12 campaign and produced some of his best hockey when it mattered most in the EIHL Playoffs as the Rays made the semi-finals for the first time.

Despite interest from Sylvain Cloutier last summer, Ondrej initially opted to remain in his hometown Presov in Slovakia due to personal reasons icing in seven games.

The release of Valecko after a disappointing spell in which he recorded just four points in 12 games then opened the door for the 29 year old to make his return in October.

Upon re-joining the club Ondrej started where he left off at the end of 11/12 season and immediately shored up a leaky defence that would go on to have one of the club's best seasons statistically. The 185 goals conceded in 52 games this season is the Rays second best showing in the Elite League after the club's debut campaign in which they conceded 11 fewer in 54 games during 06/07 under Rick Strachan.

Ondrej was close to, if not the club's best, most consistent defenceman last season and the difference between the first half of his first season and second half of his second season is night and day

Renowned for his big hits and a good outlet pass from defence, Ondrej will return for his third season in Hull during 13/14 and Cloutier is hoping he will continue his upturn in form:

"Marty has been great for us this year. He rebounded from last season. He knew this was his chance to prove himself and he has done that. Now we need him to build on this season and get even better next year. He is a key part of this club and he is going to help us move forward. We have a good core back already and we are going to work hard this summer to make sure we bring the right guys in."

Ondrej joins player-coach Cloutier, netminder Ben Bowns, topscorer Jereme Tendler, Matty Davies and Jason Silverthon on the Rays roster for 13/14

Silverthorn two-year deal revealed

The Hull Daily Mail has today revealed that Hull Stingrays forward Jason Silverthorn signed a two-year contract with the club last summer and will therefore return next season for his fifth Elite League campaign in the city.

The 33 year old has been a key part of the Rays offence in each of the last four seasons after replacing the departing forward Matt Reynolds early in the 09/10 season, accumulating 91 goals and 230 points in 210 games along the way.

One of the most consistent and experienced performers, his confirmed second season will see him join fellow returnees Ben Bowns and line-mate Jereme Tendler on Stingrays 2013/2014 roster so far, again under the tutelage of player-coach Sylvain Cloutier.

Despite speculation linking the Stingrays coach to the vacant role at former club Coventry Blaze, the 38 year old is committed to the second year of his two year deal - which was confirmed in late February - and he has already begun building his squad for next season:

"No one from Coventry has contact me. I am under contract to coach here. My home is in Hull. As far as I am concerned, I've already started to build the Stingrays for next season and that's what I'm doing right now."

Cloutier also revealed to the Mail that defenceman Shane Lovdahl is likely to retire from the sport in the off-season, possibly alongside Dmitri Rodin - who it is believed would like to take up a position coaching - and that Martin Ondrej could be set for a third season in Hull next year.

Ondrej makes surprise return to Hull

The Hull Stingrays have moved swiftly to replace outgoing Slovakian defenceman Tomas Valecko, surprisingly re-signing fellow countryman Martin Ondrej.

The 28 year old blueliner re-joins the Stingrays after recording two goals and 13 assists alongside 71 penalty minutes in 50 regular season games during 11/12 on the way to helping the club to the EIHL Playoff Semi-Finals.

He had rejected a second season with the Rays in the summer due to personal matters, instead opting to re-join hometown side HC Presov in the Slovakian second tier - where he recorded an assist in seven games - however, he has now agreed to a second season with the club following the recent roster change.

While the Slovakian was one of the early candidates to be released last season prior to captain Joshua Mizerek making way, he upped his game considerably post-Christmas and ended the year on something of a high with three of his best performances coming in the final week of the regular season and first week of the playoffs.

Ironically, Ondrej - like Mizerek - was accused on occasion of being caught out positionally, particularly when challenged at the offensive blueline, a trait also directed at Valecko during his short stay with the Rays.

Ondrej's play in his own defensive zone was noticeably better than that of the player he has just replaced though and Cloutier's confidence in his latest addition is undoubted and largely unrivaled. It can only be assumed that this will be the case amongst his new teammates too.

The Rays boss first attempted to sign the Presov native during the festive period of 10/11 but came away empty handed as he opted to join Italian side Milano Rossoblu. After coaching the defenceman last season, Cloutier has again showed his confidence in the blueliner, turning to him to shore up a defensive corps that he believed required changing, despite concerns over the club's offence.

Of the re-signing, the Rays player-coach said:

"...We have kept in touch and he now cannot wait to get back to Hull. He really enjoyed his time here before. Martin is a good guy in the dressing room. He was very consistent last season, he competes, he keeps things simple and does what you tell him. He is a battler and I am glad he is back on board."

The move was seemingly at hand well before last weekend's defeats - which extended the Rays losing streak to eight consecutive games and put the club bottom of the Elite League - as Ondrej will arrive in the country shortly ahead of a week of training and this weekend's games against the Dundee Stars at home and the Sheffield Steelers in South Yorkshire.

Saturday's home fixture is particularly important given the Rays 0-3 record against conference rivals the Stars so far this season. Should the Stars take yet another victory - two of which have come by one goal, the other of which was decided by two goals including an empty netter - they will have all but sealed the pivotal season long series which will see the sides meet eight times in 12/13, leaving the club with an uphill struggle in the Gardiner Conference.

Meanwhile, the chances of released defenceman Valecko returning to former club Edinburgh Capitals as rumoured has shortened significantly after the Scottish side announced the extension of another Slovakian defenceman's short-term contract. Former Telford Tiger Juraj Senko has agreed a deal that will see him remain with the Caps until the end of 12/13.

Hull Stingrays 11/12 Season Review: At The Back

Netminders

#53 Christian Boucher

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

Grade: A

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

#30 Andy Brummit

4GP 3.65GAA 91.7sv.%

Grade: C

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

Also dressed: Liam Jackson, Ben Bowns.

Defencemen

#8 Kurtis Dulle

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

Grade: B-

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

#19 Sam McCluskey

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

Grade: B+

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

#6 Martin Ondrej

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

Grade: C-

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

#7 Dmitri Rodin

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

Grade: B

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

#13 Dan Scott

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

Grade: C-

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

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

Third time lucky for Cloutier as Ondrej completes import line-up

Excel Hull Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier has today completed his ten strong import quota for 11/12 Elite League campaign, signing all-around blueliner Martin Ondrej at the third time of asking.

The 27 year old joins the Stingrays from Italian Serie B club Milano Rossoblu - where he registered 11 points in 21 games last season - less than a year after rejecting Cloutier in favour of joining the Italian side.

Having initially attempted to sign the 6'1 defenceman while coaching the CHL's Corpus Christi Ice Rayz, the Hull boss went back in for Ondrej last season after form which saw his side win just twice in 15 fixtures in the opening two months of the season, however, he was disappointingly rejected for a second time.

Nevertheless, Ondrej has now agreed the join the Elite League club at the second time of asking, and Cloutier at the third time of asking, signing as part of a three strong import defence which also contains 33 year old American Joshua Mizerek and 36 year old Estonian Dmitri Suur.

It is hoped the experienced pair, together with Ondrej - who has played in Slovakia, North America and Italy - will help blood young British blueliners Daniel Scott (18) and Sam McCluskey (20), who will be entering their first and second full seasons in the British top flight respectively.

The Slovak defenceman began his career in 03/04 with hometown side HC Presov, recording 14 points and 143 penalty minutes in 38 games during his debut year before moving on to the Slovakian top flight the following season, icing in 29 games with Zilina.

He returned home to Presov in 06/07 upping his points total to 15 in 29 games but moved to North America the next year, signing for Flint Generals, then of the United Hockey League, alongside former Stingray Ryan Jorde. He spent the best part of three years in Flint, Michigan, attending the NHL's Detriot Red Wings training camp in 2008 - as a result of their affiliation with the Generals.

He went on to record ten goals, 67 points and 380 penalty minutes with Flint before being traded to Kalamazoo Wings - where he eventually hit ten points in 28 game - in February 2009 in exchange for former Coventry defenceman Jason Robinson and another player.

Ondrej has since spent the majority of the past two years in Presov, Slovakia - hitting the 110 appearance mark with his hometown side - making a bit part appearance with top flight side Zilina in 09/10 before chosing Milan over Hull at the last minute last November.

Having tried to sign him on two other occasions, Cloutier is clearly a fan of Ondrej and likens him to former hard-hitting, hard-working Stingray defenceman Stephen Burns - who also plied his trade in Italy last season:

"He's just one of those players you want to try and sign. He plays physical and he battles - a bit like a Steve Burns type but with a more offensive side and he sees the ice better. He's a competitor every night. He's not a fighter or a tough guy, but he plays hard and physical and makes it a pain in the butt for the opposition."

Meanwhile Kalamazoo head coach Nick Bootland - who traded former EIHLer Robinson for Ondrej in 2009 - said:

"I know he has the ability to play against top lines. He's a tough player to play against. He's a guy, when you play against him, you hate him. When he's on your team, you love him. He has that mentality. He's chippy, he plays on the edge, but he also moves the puck well. He shoots the puck when it's the right time to shoot the puck."

Noted for his tough, physical style of defensive play, the Rays newest recruit and final import appears to be the most complete of the club's three foreign defencemen, capable of both an offensive punch as well as defensive solidity. The most obvious question mark over the Slovakian - whose signature officially confirms that Trevor Read, Kurtis Dulle, Drew Bannister, Aivars Gaisins and Jozef Sladok will not be returning to Hull next season - appears to be his high penalty count, which currently stands at over 800 in minutes in eight seasons of play, although this may partially be down to his "on the edge" mentality.

As well as Suur and Mizerek, Ondrej joins netminder Christian Boucher, and forwards Dominic Osman, Frantisek Bakrlik, Derek Campbell, Jason Silverthorn, Jereme Tendler and player-coach Cloutier on the ten strong import roster - down from 11 last season. He also becomes the third non-Brit European on the roster after Czech forward Bakrlik and Estonian Suur.

 

The Rays boss appears to have opted for the tried and tested method of signing former team mates and former opponents, with which he knows what he is getting. While many EIHL clubs will opt for foreign contingent made up largely of Central Hockey League talent, 'Clouts' has stuck with what he knows with the only other doubt cast over the three European signings given the relative levels they have joined the club from in Italy and Poland.

"I've tried to stay familiar with the group. You can listen to five people and they'll tell you how great someone is," he said. "You can get them over here and think 'oh, what have we got here?' and you think 'I guess those guys were just being five nice people'."

The roster for the 11/12 EIHL season now sits at 19 players, including four netminders - two on two-way contracts - five defencemen and ten forwards, with a British player and a further couple, two-way contracted British players expected to be the final pieces in the puzzle for Cloutier. Pre-season kicks off in little more than a months time with a home-away double header with ownership rivals Coventry.

BREAKING NEWS: Ondrej completes import line-up

Excel Hull Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier has today completed his ten strong import quota for 11/12 Elite League campaign, signing all-around blueliner Martin Ondrej at the third time of asking.

More soon...