The 27 year old, who will play defence for the Stingrays but is also an effective forward, joins after a rookie season split between the Colorado Eagles and New Mexico Scorpions, where he accumulated 153 penalty minutes along with two goals and two assists in 53 games.Last season known for his toughness, as a junior playing in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) during the 00/01 season he developed a point scoring touch which will please Stingrays fans, as he recorded 39 points alongside an impressive 239 penalty minutes in 54 games.
He followed that up with an impressive 76 points, including 32 goals, in a four year, 79 game spell in college with South Alberta Institute of Technology. However, next season, Knight will be required to implement his versatility, playing on defence, as opposed to his preferred forward role, where he has played for the majority of his junior and senior career.
Knight (white) scoring for South Alberta Institute of TechnologySomething that comes natural to the Canadian is the tough role of enforcer.
With 17 fighting majors last season alone, including fights with former EIHLer's Jason Goulet, Robin Gomez and, fan favourite in the UK, Dennis Maxwell, he is not afraid to drop the gloves, and that is one of the reasons why Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier has brought Knight to the EIHL for his first season outside of North America.
"I'm very pleased to have Adam as part of our club, he will bring a physical element to our defence. He plays the game hard and with honesty, the way it should be played. Adam won't have a problem sticking up for his team-mates."And although toughness is one, albeit big, part of his game, Cloutier commented that, despite recording just four points in his first professional season, he will not follow in the footsteps of former Stingrays Simon Rizk and Jonathan Bernier in lacking playing abilities.
"Not only can he bring a physical element to the game, he is also a very good hockey player...He will be a big piece of the puzzle. Adam comes to play every night which is very important in my book. It won't take long for him to be a fans favourite."Knight comes in the very same mould as former Stingray Cole Byers, who, although suffering from injuries in his two seasons spell at the Hull Arena, provided the team with toughness and 100% work ethic, whilst also chipping in with a few points.
Like Knight, Byers also played in the BCHL, scoring 15 points in 52 games, and was similarly capable in roles as a forward and defenceman, and should he become half as popular as the rugged forward, then he will have a successful first season in Europe.
With so little ice time in the CHL, the Elite League will allow Knight to ice more and develop his skills as a relied upon hockey player, and not just a policemen of other teams tough guys.
Although he is expected to ice as the Stingrays fourth, and least important offensively, defenceman, he will have to implement his tough style of play in the perhaps less familiar territory of defence.
Knight in action in the CHL
Elsewhere in Stingrays news, it was confirmed that, although talks had taken place, fellow tough guy Andre Payette will not be joining the Stingrays after intense speculation.
The 32 year old forward has touted his signature around the league with , so far, little success, after the Stingrays, Sheffield Steelers and Newcastle Vipers all passed on his signature. The Edinburgh Capitals are the final team, yet to have ruled themselves out of a move for Payette, although a return to Newcastle is not completely out of the picture.
The 32 year old forward has touted his signature around the league with , so far, little success, after the Stingrays, Sheffield Steelers and Newcastle Vipers all passed on his signature. The Edinburgh Capitals are the final team, yet to have ruled themselves out of a move for Payette, although a return to Newcastle is not completely out of the picture.
