The 27 year old started this season in the IHL with Port Huron, after sitting out last season to make a full recovery from a shoulder injury, but left the club before making an appearance.The Ontario native, from the same town as fellow Rays defenceman Stephen Burns, has had previous point scoring success during three seasons in the Italian top flight and a 29 point haul from 43 CHL games in 06/07 and, although a risk, is seen as a marked improvement on what the Cloutier already has at his disposal.
In three season's in the Italian Serie A, split between HC Fassa, Ritten/Rennon and Alleghe, Halkidis scored 11 goals and 43 assists for 54 points from 104 games and gained a reputation as a solid defenceman that was capable of chipping offensively.
Prior to making his professional debut in 2003-04, with Peoria of the ECHL, the Canadian, who is part Greek, had a successful junior career.
The four junior years of his career saw him record nearly 100 points, and they came to a climax in 02/03, as he went all the way in the pinnacle of junior hockey in Canada.
The 6'1 blueliner added a goal and 15 assists in 21 playoff games as his Kitchenner Rangers side went all the way to become the Canadian Hockey League's Memorial Cup champions.
Although concerns may be raised over his fitness after a year out due to a shoulder injury, the Canadian has a certain pedigree that the Rays defence looked to lack in early pre-season. The three years spent in Europe indicate that he can handle the change in lifestyle and culture, while his career year in 06/07 in the CHL shows he can put up points and has the know-how to improve the team.He should make his Stingrays debut this weekend in games against Coventry and Edinburgh, and Sylvain Cloutier is confident that he will have the ability to help the side get out of their current rough patch:
"He will definitely improve our back-end, he is a solid two-way defenceman and he will be able to jump into the play and be creative. I have been told he is just as good as [James] Sanford defensively and also is very strong so he will be a big plus for usWith so many injuries, the Stingrays may yet may more roster moves, although it is possible that those injuries begin to clear up somewhat. Jason Silverthorn may return next weekend, complete with a full face visor or cage, after he broke his jaw on debut last weekend, while Lee Mitchell is edging closer to a return to the ice following a longer than expected layoff for his knee injury.
"He is an offensive defenceman and he is going to be a big help. He is going to bring some experience and leadership and some fresh blood into the room and from talking to him he believes in what we are trying to do here. He wants to come and help."
