The Hull Daily Mail is reporting that the Stingrays 39 year old Canadian defenceman, Troy Neumeier (pictured), suffered a season ending torn right abductor tendon four weeks ago.It was initially feared that the injury was groin related however further tests have revealed an injury that will keep Neumeier out for the rest of the season.
Speculation now revolves around one of three situations that Stingray fans are hoping will resolve their current eight game losing streak. The first is the persistent rumour (read hope) that Neumeier will step up to become the Stingrays head coach leaving Rick Strachan to either step down as coach or become General Manager of the team.
This long lasting rumour has been doing the rounds for a couple of months now and whilst it would bring change, Neumeier has yet to comment on whether he would welcome a move into a coaching role. Likewise, it is unknown whether Neumeier would be a good choice as head coach as, whilst he is a hugely experience player, he has had just one seasons coaching under his belt with a spell as assistant coach with the Fort Wayne Komets of the UHL in 04/05.
Another option is that Neumeier, who has a family back at home in Canada, will return to North America and retire from the game.
Either way it seems the Stingrays will replace him rather than hope he makes a miraculous recovery before the end of the season with Tyler Hanchuck, a former team mate of Stuart Kerr and Jason Kostadine, tipped to move to the country. However with the severity of Neumeier's injury only recently revealed, the Basingstoke Bison are favourites to seal his signing after announcing they have signed two new imports in the last few days.
The major question is whether Neumeier, who joined the Stingrays in January last season and has scored 15 points in 42 games, remains in the country, becomes coach, or returns home to retire.
Neumeier's will become the fourth import to be scratched from the club this season after Rick Kozak, Jake Riddle and Jonathan Bernier all left the club. Meanwhile Neumeier may not be the final change to the Stingrays this season with two other players rumoured to be leaving the club in the near future.
PICTURE: Troy Neumeier (www.hullstingrays.co.uk)
