20 year old back up netminder Andrew Jaszczyk will return to the Excel Hull Stingrays for their 09/10 season after being signed by new coach Sylvain Cloutier following an encouraging rookie campaign in the EIHL.The Rotherham born backstop recorded an 82% save percentage and 6.02 goals against average in 11 appearances last season after signing from English National League side the Kingston Jets, but despite statistical appearance his performances as a first year stopper were very encouraging, especially behind an, at times, leaky and fragile Stingrays defence.
Following a season under the guidance of Canadian starter Curtis Cruickshank, next season the young Brit will relieve for new number one Tommy Sandahl, and Jaszczyk is keen to learn from the young Swede, who will be experiencing his first year abroad."I am looking forward to working with Tommy and see how he plays. I want to improve every season and it will be good to look at a European style of hockey."Like many of the teams previous signings, he was also keen express his excitement for the upcoming season with so many new and promising signings under the guidance of a new coach.
"I am excited at how the team is shaping up. The team is looking really strong and we have signed players with good backgrounds. I think we can challenge the top teams and be more consistent against them next season."With imports having a firm grip on the Elite Leagues eight netminding positions, barring two exceptions in Lyle, in Cardiff, and Murphy, in Belfast, Jaszczyk will again be used sparingly in the top flight.
It is the time training against higher calibre players and a couple of appearances in relief for the starting Sandahl that can often set young British netminders in good stead for the a possible starting jobs in the future and that is something which Jaszczyk will be hoping to achieve.
His most notable appearances for the Rays last season came in helter skelter, high scoring games with Coventry and Basingstoke, both 8-6 losses. Although the team conceded eight goals on both occasions, he made plenty of decent saves with both sides playing at full capacity and, on the whole, made the game an entertaining spectacle.Next season he will be hoping to continue his steep learning curve under experienced new head coach Sylvain Cloutier, who will undoubtedly help the progress of his career.
The Stingrays tally of returnees now stands at an unexpectedly high six, with many of the teams standout players from last season now re-signed.
The final two names that continue to linger with regards to a return to the Hull Arena are Slava Koulikov, who may well not return under the new regime, especially given his problematic work ethic, and Matt Reynolds, who has signed for an as yet unannounced team, thought to be Hull.
Photo's courtesy: Arthur Foster
