27 year old Steve Slonina has followed Jake Riddle into signing for the 08/09 Excel Hull Stingrays. Slonina is a 5'11 centre from Abington, Massachusetts, who has spent the most part of 5 years in the ECHL after beggining his hockey career with the UMass-Lowell Riverhawks in the NCAA. Last season he split time with the Bakersfield Condors (ECHL), who fellow signee Jason Kostadine played for, and Mississippi Riverkings (CHL), who another new signee, Rick Kozak, iced with.During his 5 years in the ECHL he recorded 70 goals and 83 assists in 293 games, including a career year in his rookie season with the Gwinnett Gladiators where he recorded career bests in games (69), goals (20), assists (17) and points (37)
He is expected to slot in as the teams first line centre, replacing Brad Patterson who scored 25 points in 48 games before qutting the team due to personal problems. Once again increased ice time is expected to inflate his offensive production for the Stingrays however the Rays do look to have 3 balanced lines.
Coach Rick Strachan says:
"Steve is a talented and gritty guy. I spoke to his coach last year and he told me he is a solid player, who can play at both ends. He is a natural centreman. He is more of a playmaker than a goalscorer but he can score goals. He is a guy who will play on the point on the powerplay and control things. He can play a few roles and that is a bonus, especially if you get injuries."Former coach, Marty Raymond said:
"He wanted to come here, we needed another centerman and at this point we'd probably be in big trouble without him (due to the season-ending injury to Sean Venedam). He's good on faceoffs, he brings speed and is pretty good on (penalty kills) so that really helps us out. He also has patience on the power play and can play the point. With Venny gone he steps into that role, which is a tough role to do."
IMAGE: CoCo Walters / The Caifornian.
