Yes thats right, today the Excel Hull Stingrays announced that they have re-signed, the emblem of rebellion (amongst a small number of Stingrays fans), Lee Esders for the 08/09 season.Esders, who was a real fans favourite in his first EIHL season, scored 3 goals and 3 assists in 62 games for the Stingrays after he joining in pre-season 07/08 from the Newcastle Vipers B team in the ENL, where he was a standout player scoring 15 goals and 22 points in 18 games. Prior to his season long stint in Newcastle he spent his time in the sucessful Kingston Junior Development System at the Hull Arena, firstly with the under 16 Kingston Crunch and under 19 Kingston Predators before moving into the senior side, the Kingston Jets, in the ENL where he scored 9 points in 14 games.
Esders provided one of the highlights and bright sparks of a disapointing season in the Elite League. Many fans were dismayed when coach Rick Strachan refused to give Esders consistent ice time, mainly because he was unable to make all of the teams practises due to a full time job, in a team which many thought lacked the 110% effort and commitment that Esders gave. In a game against the Nottingham Panthers, Esders was given his first shift of the game in the 3rd period with the Rays lacking any scoring ability at all as they trailed by a few. A great ovation rung around the Hull Arena as Esders took to the ice for the first time. He proceeded to go on and score on the shift. And not unsuprisingly the fans made it know to Strachan who had given Esders limited ice time. Esders was given a lot of ice time towards the end of the third and continued to give his all for the rest of the season playing regular shifts.
A welcome returnee, with James Cooke playing as 9th forward on the 3rd line it looks set that Esders will play as 10th forward and cover should there be any injuries/suspensions or any other unexpected player absences. Like last season with the great amount of effort and commitment that "Ezzy", as he is known, will give, he could force his way in if any of the team underperform.
Coach Rick Strachan this about the re-signing of Esders:
“Lee is so enthusiastic and works really hard. He gives his all out on the ice, the crowd love him and he feeds off that. He makes mistakes but that is all part of the learning process.
"He knows he will get the opportunity to play. The more he played last year, the more confident he got and the better he became. He is fearless, he wants to learn and improve his game and he is only going to get better.
The Hull Daily Mail has confirmed that Strachan is looking for 3 further imports before his squad is complete, it also confirmed that these imports would be two forwards and one defenceman and that all three of the improts would have a number of years of professional hockey experience.
Speculation from Stingrays fans has been that last seasons veteran defenceman Troy Neumeier, 38, may return with a role as assistant coach included whilst other speculation puts last seasons standout forward Jake Riddle also returning.
IMAGE: Esders bags his first professional goal v Edinburgh
