27 year old Matt Reynolds has decided to join the Excel Hull Stingrays for his 4th professional season after a career year in goals (19), assists (33) and points (52) with the Fort Wayne Comets of the IHL as they took the IHL playoffs, the Turner Cup, in 4 games against the Port Huron IceHawks.Reynolds, who is 6 foot tall, joined the IceHawks last season after 2 seasons in the CHL with Rio Grande and Fort Worth Brahmas, and joined former Basingstoke netminer Nick Boucher on the IceHawks whilst he was joined mid season by PC Drouin who was sacked by, then, Panthers coach Mike Ellis.
Coach Rick Strachan had this to say of his new signing:
"Matt is a good player. He has great offensive capabilities, can play in both ends, he is a leader and he is also not afraid to get involved. He will be one of the guys who will be expected to contribute offensively and play on the powerplay which he is comfortable with."
Meanwhile Reynolds had this to say to BBC Humberside:
I've heard some good things about them. I hope I can do a good job for them and I’m looking forward to the challenge and playing overseas for the first time.
Although Reynolds has 20 professional fights to his name (see below) his main job will be joining Jeff Glowa in racking up the points next season for the Rays. And with 107 points in 123 games at college and 121 points in 197 games, so far, in his professional career along with extra ice time, it is expected he will flourish in the Elite League and in a Stingrays jersey.
Rick Strachan believes they will have the firepower up front for next season, something they lacked last season:
"You cannot rely on two or three guys to get you points, you need seven or eight contributing. If we can get those guys scoring 30-40 points it makes a huge difference"With the Stingrays season preparations well under way it is now expected the Stingrays will make signing their two netminders for next season a priority. Stingrays co-owner Sue Pack is happy with the way pre-season has gone thus far:
"We have put a lot of effort into researching the players and we think we are building a team which will work together and that's 'grown up.' Mike, Strachs and I are delighted with the way our teambuilding is going.
