Forward Lee, 22, re-signs at the Stingrays after a career year, recording seven goals and 23 assists in his fourth season in Hull, meanwhile Craig, 18, last season iced in his rookie season in the Elite League for the Edinburgh Capitals, recorded one assist in 58 games from the blueline.
The brothers will ice together for the first in their careers, despite both progressing their talented young futures from their hometown in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, with the Fife Flyers.The pair have both progressed through the junior ranks at national team level, with Craig achieving promotion with the U20's this year in the IIHF Division II Championships in Logrono, Spain, whilst Lee has been on the brink of the senior side for two years, this year being named as reserve for the Division I World Championships in Poland.
Lee has been a particular bright spot in the Stingrays three seasons in the Elite League, developing from a hard working forward into a play making top liner, capable of mixing it with the best the league has to offer. It will be hoped that, after an encouraging rookie season in the Elite League, where he racked up regular ice time and showed a consistent physical edge, Craig will follow in his brothers footsteps and achieve top line minutes and a try for a spot on the Great Britain roster.Speaking of the double signing, Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier said that he hopes Lee will have a career year, not only by increasing his output, but by gaining that first Great Britain cap that has so far eluded him:
Lee will bring a physical element to the team as well as a lot of energy. He is also very strong defensively which I will be counting on this season. I will also count on his leadership on and off the ice. I expect Lee to have a breakthrough year this season and I do expect his first national team call-up will be around the corner if he works hard and stays determined.Craig has been talked about as one of the Britain's better young defensive prospects and it is hoped that, with another year of regular Elite League action, this time under Cloutier, he will be pushing on for an appearance in Great Britain colours like his brother:
"Craig is a young defenceman who is coming into his own with a full year in the Elite League under his belt. I feel he has a lot of potential and will have a chance to prove himself with our club," said Cloutier.
"It's very important to have a strong British core. These two young players have a bright future in British hockey and they will be a big part of the national team one day."
Meanwhile Craig spoke expressed his excitement at the team that Cloutier is putting together in Hull, but also thanked former coach Doug Christiansen for the chance that he was given in the in Edinburgh, which has resulted into a move to Hull with brother Lee.
"Lee has told me a lot of good things about the club and after speaking to Sylvain Cloutier I am really excited about next season. He is putting together a really good team and I think we can challenge the big teams," said the young Scot.
"I want to thank [Edinburgh player-coach] Doug Christiansen for having confidence in me and giving me the chance to play last season. I saw a lot of ice time, more than I thought I would get, and I improved a lot because of that."
Craig will now have the opportunity to develop under the same roof that helped push forward blueliners Stevie Lee and Dave Phillips into slots on British junior and senior sides, as well as positions on top four teams in Nottingham and Belfast.
Craig becomes the first defenceman to sign for the team in front of new starting netminder Tommy Sandahl whilst Lee joins fellow Brit Lee Esders as the teams only signed British forward.
Recent rumour suggests that an American college defenceman may be joining the young Scot on the blueline for the 09/10 season, however one defenceman now not coming to the Stingrays, or the Elite League, is Canadian Mike Beynon, who is thought to have pulled out of a move to the UK according to his agents website.
Photos courtesy: fifeflyer.co.uk, FosterA@code.karoo.co.uk
