The Excel Hull Stingrays have signed their 3rd British forward for the 2008/09 season as 22 year old Brit James Cooke joins Slava Koulikov and Lee Mitchell up front.
Cooke, who played for league and knockout cup champions Coventry Blaze last season, re-joins the Stingrays, 3 years after leaving the EPL Stingrays for EIHL Nottingham Panthers.
The move signals the end for a much liked British forward James Knight, who recorded 9 goals and 9 assists for 18 points, all of which are professional career highs. It remains to be seen if Cooke can fill the scoring gap left by Knight although it is thought that Cooke is much more of a rounded player, especially defensively, than Knight. Coach Rick Strachan said this of Knights departure:
I think it was time for James to move on as we decided to head in a different direction
Cooke, who scored 5 points and finished +6 when GB won gold and were promoted from division 2 in 2005, is hhighly thought of in the UK and is tought to posess all the skills to take his game to the next level. Unfortunatly he has not been given a good enough opportunity in either Nottingham or Coventry as he went without regular shifts with either team. An opportunity he will be given in Hull as coach Rick Strachan is unlikely to keep such untapped potential on the bench.
Former coach Mike Ellis' thoughts on Cooke:
''James has all the components to be a top player. His speed and skill levels are high. He needs to be given a role within our team and of course he needs the opportunity and the ice time to mature into his potential. I think this season will be a huge year for James, if he listens and learns from his team-mates and coaches he will definitely take big steps forward.''Stingrays coach Rick Strachans thoughts:
James left us to go and play in the Elite League. In hindsight, maybe he would have been better staying another year with us. But we have him back now and we will be expecting him to make a contribution this season.He won't be here just to sit on the bench. He will be out on the ice fore-checking hard, finishing his checks, going to the net and if he chips in with a few goals then that's a bonus. He is a strong kid, is skilful and is quick. He will do a good job for us."
