Blais loaned to Devils; Robson joins NIHL on two-way deal; former Stingray news

Hull Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier has had a busy week juggling his squad ahead of Challenge Cup fixtures against the Cardiff Devils on Sunday and against the Sheffield Steelers in South Yorkshire of Wednesday.

As well as awaiting the arrival of new import signings Kyle Mariani and Carl Lauzon, the Stingays boss has also offered two of his depth players the chance to gain ice-time elsewhere.

On Wednesday, it was announced that backup netminder - and 12th import - Greg Blais had joined Erhardt Conference side Cardiff on a two-week loan deal.

The 33 year old netminder - who stopped 9 of 11 shots in relief of Ben Bowns in the Rays opening fixture a week ago against the Nottingham Panthers - joins the Devils as a temporary replacement for injured starting netminder Dan LaCosta.

The deal, which will last for two-weeks while Lacosta recovers from a head injury sustained in pre-season, includes a clause which means Blais cannot play against the Stingrays this weekend. He will make his debut in the Welsh capital on Saturday against the Braehead Clan with Joe Myers starting in Hull on Sunday before fixtures next weekend in Dundee and against Nottingham.

Cardiff player-coach Gerad Adams said:

“Greg will give us another option and demonstrates the proactive approach from the club to find import cover and to work with Joe to help us win hockey games. Whilst it has been challenging this week we are focussed and know what we need to do.”

Following the temporary departure of Blais, Cloutier has also allowed young defenceman Scott Robson to join the NIHL's Blackburn Hawks on a two-way contract.

The 18 year old - who made his Elite League debut with the Rays last season, dressing in 37 games - is highly rated by the Stingrays. However, with the club now able to boast an eight man blueline following the arrival of Mariani, the GB junior international has been allowed to join the Hawks in order to gain valuable and regular ice-time.

The two-way deal will see Robson - who lived and grew up in the North West - primarily ice for the Hawks in the NIHL North 1 while dressing with the Stingrays when the Hawks don't have a fixture or if required by the Stingrays.

On adding Robson to his squad, Hawks player-coach Jared Owen said:

“Scott has been training in Blackburn during the summer and has really impressed me, Dangie and the team with his ability on the ice. He approached us earlier this year and said that Hull were looking for him to get more regular ice time and continue his development. Once the opportunity presented itself we jumped at it. Scott has previously played with the Blackburn Juniors and we’ve been following his career so far with interest. He’s played in the top-tier of hockey in this country and you can see a real difference in his game since training and playing in the Elite League over the last season. We’re really grateful to Sylvain Cloutier and the Hull Stingrays organization for giving us the chance to benefit from the two-way deal and I’m sure he will become a very welcome addition to the team for the new season.”

In former player news, forward Dominic Osman will join the Southern Professional Hockey League's Huntsville Havoc this season.

Osman - who was signed to provide the Stingrays secondary scoring in 2010 - was well liked thanks to his gritty, hardworking style of play during his two season's in Hull - where he hitting 25 and 26 goal seasons as well as 83 points in 120 games.

Having left Hull in April, he moved down under to spend the summer with the Newcastle North Stars of the Australian Ice Hockey League.

He helped the North Stars to a second placed league finish with 18 goals and 51 points - eighth in the AIHL. In the post-season the North Stars progressed to the playoff final but - despite a hat-trick from Osman - were defeated 6-3 by the Sydney Ice Dogs - who lifted the Goodall Cup.

Meanwhile, last season's fan favourite Ryan Hand looks set to return to the Central Hockey League.

The 28 year old enforcer - who recorded two goals and 15 assists as well as 266 penalty minutes and 13 fighting majors last season in Hull - had originally agreed to join the Cornwall RiverKings of the LNAH - a league renowned for fighting.

However, his agent has announced he will instead return to the CHL - where he has previously spent three years of his career, recording two goals, six assists and 302 penalty minutes in 123 games.

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

Tendler scoops second awards night treble in three years

Forward Jereme Tendler scooped his second Hull Stingrays end of season awards treble in three years at tonight's 12/13 awards evening.

The Canadian - who has bagged 41 goals and 66 points in 56 games this season - picked up Forward of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and, the big prize, Supporters Player of the Year at tonight's award evening held at Jazz Bar.

Meanwhile resurgent forward Matty Davies picked up Most Improved Player of the Year after a breakout year, captain Kurtis Dulle was named Defenceman of the Year - having turned around his play in the last couple of months - and Ryan Hand was named Fans Favourite.

Finally, Sylvain Cloutier named rangy defenceman Jeff Smith as Coaches Player of the Year.

Stingrays to get a helping Hand in 12/13

The Hull Stingrays have today confirmed the long-mooted signing of Canadian enforcer Ryan Hand from the Central Hockey League's Texas Brahmas.

The 27 year old - who prefers to play D but can also move up front - brings his considerable physical prowess and enforcing abilities to the Elite League having scored a goal and three assists in 50 games in the CHL last season, adding 122 penalty minutes.

90 of those 122 minutes spent in the penalty box last term stem from the 18 fighting majors he received in bouts against the likes of former Cardiff Devils defenceman Justin Sawyer and Manchester Phoenix forward Brett Clouthier - whom he fought on five separate occasions last season.

Indeed, it was a fight with Phoenix fan favourite and Allen American Cloutier - who also had a spell in Sheffield with the Steelers - that made national headlines, as the pair dropped the gloves pre-game during the ceremonial puck drop of a game between the Brahmas and Americans in April.

Hand - who at 27 has spent 123 games in the CHL, 23 in the ECHL and 66 in the LNAH - has 181 fights to his name in a four year junior career and six year senior career against some of the biggest names in fighting at minor league level including Louis Bedard, Derek Parker, Brandon Sugden and Jon Mirasty.

His career high for fights in a season is 38, set during his second professional season and second season in the renowned LNAH - a predominantly fight based league based in Quebec, Canada. Last season's 18 fights rank third in season career highs for the Ottawa, Ontario native.


With just five goals and 14 assists to his name in more than 220 senior appearances, there will understandably be questions posed once again about the role of the enforcer in the EIHL and whether Hand is a sensible use of a vital import spot. 


However, Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier is confident the 6'1, 181lbs enforcer will play an important role in the Elite League.

"I am extremely excited to have Hand on board. The guy competes, he works hard and battles for his team-mates. He is willing to do anything for the team and from the first time we spoke on the phone I knew I wanted him on my team. Ryan is my type of player, a guy that comes to work every night and you can count on. He will  bring a physical part to our team that we haven't had in a few years, it's a great addition to our team and he can play both forward and D. He will be one of our leaders and he will hold guys accountable"

While there will undoubtedly be both skeptics and critics over the addition of a player who has more than 1200 PIM's to his name, it remains to be seen whether Hand can thrive given a regular shift.

The Stingrays have a particularly spotted history when it comes to signing enforcers and so observers will perhaps be forgiven for being a little apprehensive to begin with.

Delving into the club's short nine year history brings up the name of past enforcers Simon Rizk and Jonathan Bernier. Signed a season apart, Canadians Rizk and Jonathan Bernier were signed by Rick Strachan for the 06/07 and 07/08 campaigns respectively and possessed similar resumes to that of the Rays latest addition - joining from the CHL with high PIM's and low points totals.

Looking to move to Europe to free themselves from the enforcing role which they had been pigeonholed during their early careers in North America, they both failed to make the grade in the EIHL with Rizk released after seven games, one fortuitous goal and 23 penalty minutes while Bernier quit after just four games, no points and nine PIM's.

On the other hand, Cloutier's first out-and-out enforcer Adam Knight was perhaps the club's most successful signing in the role during the player-coaches first season in charge, 09/10.

Although Knight had previously had a high scoring four year spell in the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, he had been similarly restricted to the enforcing role during a season in the CHL prior to moving to the UK - which he split between Colorado Eagles and New Mexico Scorpions - scoring two goals, two assists and 153 PIM over 58 games.

Unlike Rizk and Bernier, Knight - who was also the last out-and-out enforcer signed by the Rays - went on to relish the role in the British top flight becoming a solid depth import, notching seven goals, 20 assists and 121 PIM's while retaining his enforcing duties when called upon - fighting now former Stingray Derek Campbell, Brad Voth and Sean McMorrow three times each.

Campbell himself, while not an out and out fighter, was another example of a 'useful' enforcer at EIHL level because he, like Knight, did not by any means rely solely on his physical abilities. The longevity of Hand's spell in the UK very much depend on his ability to provide the Stingrays with more than just scrapping ability.

The very early signs are at least somewhat positive though.

Much like Knight, Hand comes to the UK labelled a utility player that can fill on both up front or in defence when required - a useful trait for any player and one that indicates teams have had the confidence to play him in a defensive role in the past. He has also chipped in with a few goals throughout his career, though granted not bucket loads - something Rizk could not boast with just one goal to his name.

Nevertheless, as Cloutier touches on in the press release, and no doubt will talk about further as the season draws in, Hand has not been brought in to simply entertain - though I'm sure he will. He will "hold guys accountable" and will ensure teams do not take liberties with the Stingrays - in particular goalscoring threats Jereme Tendler, Janis Ozolins and Jason Silverthorn - in the upcoming season, something that could turn out to be a momentous task given some signings so far this summer.

EIHL rivals the Coventry Blaze have set their stall out early and tough so far this off-season and lead the way in the toughness stakes. They have so far signed capable fighters Mike Danton, Benn Olsen, Mike Egener and Gerome Giudice - while former Nottingham Panthers enforcer Alex Penner is another rumoured be  signing. Elsewhere, Belfast have the 230 PIM man and all-around entertainer Adam Keefe, Nottingham possess new signing Jason Beckett and Cardiff have signed Tyson Marsh.

Hand's 'handiness' in the fighting stakes could well be a pivotal factor in the Rays season, particularly in the intimidation stakes and games against Southern Conference sides.

The main question marks over Hand's signing are; can he step up his game with the increased ice-time in comparison to North America e.g. Adam Knight? If not, can the Rays afford to use one of their 11 available import slots on an out-and-out enforcer? Stingrays fans, I'm sure, are hoping the answers are an emphatic yes and yes. Rizk and Bernier are evidence enough of what may happen if the answers are no and no.

If all else fails, at least it's likely the Rays will have one of the most entertaining, toughest and fearless players in the league when the EIHL returns in September.


See below for an interview by the Fort Worth Examiner's Troy Depue in which Hand unsurprisingly talks about his favourite fights, fighting style and beliefs as well as his abilities as a player: