Koulikov rounds off British signings

Player-coach Sylvain Cloutier has signed forward Slava Koulikov for his seventh successive season in Excel Hull Stingrays colours and today vowed to help solve the Russian-born-Brits consistency issues which have plagued his time in Hull.

Koulikov, who is the only player to have played in every single Stingrays season since their inception in 03/04, has long been dogged by consistency problems, with questions marks over his work ethic and fitness often making the Russian one of the most debated topics amongst the teams fan base.

Last season was no different, as the 30 year old surprised critics with a string of impressive displays in the teams first couple of games, leaving many to question whether a corner had been turned in his career.

However, once again those injury demons returned and Koulikov sat out the best part of two months of the season with a shattered collarbone, eventually mustering up a respectable 30 points in cut-short 39 game season.

Koulikov (right) with fellow long-term Stingray Jeff Glowa

New coach Cloutier is adamant that he will not accept anything less than 100% from not only Koulikov, but also his squad:

"I will not tolerate laziness in a player who won't compete every night. I hope Slava shows all of us what he has to offer and proves the fans wrong because I see talent when I look at him."

With the average age of the teams British contingent just over 20, and with Koulikov the final of those British signings, his experience in hockey, with over 450 games under his belt, also made him a must sign in Cloutier's book.

"I have re-signed Slava because he has experience in the league and he is a British player that you could consider to be an import with his talent level, so I think it is a bonus really for our team to keep him in Hull," said Cloutier

His talent is not in doubt, with Koulikov nearing the top of the Stingrays all time charts in all categories during league play with 66 goals and 117 assists for 183 points in 219 games.

The 5'8, 170 lbs forward is happy to return to Hull, where he has spent ten years of his playing career and 17 years of his life after moving to East Yorkshire in 1993 when his father, Alexander, came to play for Humberside Seahawks.

"I am really pleased to be back. I had a few conversations with Clouts when he first took over and he told me about his intentions, the team he wanted to build and what he wanted to achieve.

"He is putting together a really good team with the calibre of players we have signed."

With Koulikov the final British signing, Cloutier is left looking for an import defenceman and forward to finalise his squad.

After rumoured defensive target Mike Beynon signed for Edinburgh, and with Matt Reynolds almost certain to re-join as the Rays as their final import forward, Cloutier is thought to be currently in the market for that final import defenceman, who the Hull Daily have confirmed will be new to the country.