After being released by Excel Hull Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier, 31 year old forward Slava Koulikov has today been snapped up by the Slough Jets of the English Premier League (EPL).Koulikov, who registered just three points in 11 games this season, was axed by Cloutier alongside import forward Matt Reynolds, with the pair paying the price for the Rays terrible start to the season, which had seen them lose nine of their opening 11 fixtures.
The Rays poor form has continued, extending that record to 13 losses in 15 games, but Koulikov has now found a new home at the Hanger with the Jets flying high, just three points off the top spot but in fifth place.
Speaking on the capture of the 'Elite League experienced' Koulikov, Jets coach Peter Russell said:
“I believe we needed another skilled forward and hence my reasoning for making the change. We have a lot of power in our team and another highly skilled guy like Slava will only make us a stronger all-round team.”Earlier this week the Berkshire based side released former Stingrays forward James Knight to make way for Russian-born-Brit Koulikov, despite Knight recording four points in Jets two games last weekend.
Knight, in his second season away from the Stingrays, where he bagged 23 points in 109 games after being picked up from North America by former coach Rick Strachan in 06/07, has four goals and ten points to his name so far this season and is currently without a club after his release on Monday morning.
Last season he impressed many in the EPL, scoring 20 goals and adding 43 assists in 50 games with the now dormant Telford Tigers, and it is thought the big power forward will not be without a club for long.
Meanwhile, Reynolds, released at the same time as Koulikov, has signed for an, as yet, unnamed side in the French top flight.
