5 Curtis Cruickshank (08/09): With just five import netminders having played for the Stingrays in six years, this 'five of the best' was not tough to compile. Nevertheless, Cruickshank was the fifth best, or worst if you want to put it that way, and that outlines the sad state of British netminders.As for his performances for the Stingrays, well, either Cruickshank suffered from the lack of support he received from both the stands and his defencemen in his single season with the team, or he was as bad a choice as netminder as Stingrays fans immediately thought. In the end Cruickshank made mistakes on a fairly regular basis and his positioning was quite often a big cause for concern. Despite this he did have a handful of good games and at times proved why he was so highly rated during his, knee injury free, spells at Nottingham and Basingstoke.
4 Pasi Raitanen (03/04): The likeable Finn that is Pasi Raitanen became the Stingrays first ever netminder in the summer of 2003 and, in somewhat surprising circumstances, was released post-Christmas, despite recording a credible 90.9 save percentage in the Findus Cup. However, with the teams win column in single digits and with Raitanen possessing a lowly 85.3 save percentage in the league, he was cut, despite a distinct lack of errors. In hindsight, the move proved a good one, but Pasi, who retired this summer, will always be remembered as a fan favourite, not only in Hull but also around the country.
3 Anders Hogberg (03/04): Hogberg was the man that was signed to replace the considerable figure of fellow Scandinavian Raitanen. The Swede was cut from the London Racers at a similar time to Raitanen leaving his post at the Rays and, ideally for the Stingrays owners, was delighted to sign for the club. Surprisingly he more than adequately filled the gaping goal left by the Finn and also proved to be a big fan favourite, most notably endearing himself to the Hull Arena by performing a pirouette following one of the teams sparse wins during their first year of existence.
2 Ladislav Kudrna (07/08): Kudrna came to the Stingrays with much anticipation following a season in France and an impressive couple of seasons in Edinburgh, where he gained a reputation as a solid keeper. Replacing Miroslav Bielik, the main reason for Rick Strachan signing Kudrna was his ability to steal games, the staple of any good side, and, although it is in no doubt that the Czech netminder did steal games for the team, his inability to keep the close ones close was what cost him. A very good netminder on his day, but an uncharacteristically long list of bad games more than likely cost him his job for 08/09 and that unreliability in the majority of games became the final straw.
1 Miroslav Bielik (05-07): Joining the team in the EPL and ending his two year stint in the EIHL, Bielik was not only a consistent netminder, but also a good one. He stole games and also provided the team with a basis to build upon. Eventually, a very leaky defence and season scuppering injuries became his downfall, but for a bit more fitness and a little more luck, Bielik could have taken the Rays to EPL Playoff Weekend and the EIHL playoff Quarter Finals. Both goals that the Stingrays have, thus far, failed to reach.
