Rumour Mill 10/11 #1
- With two extra Scottish sides in the EIHL next season, as yet un-signed siblings Lee and Craig Mitchell may yet be tempted by a move back to their homeland. Although it would be very surprising to see Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier let the pair leave Hull Arena, Braehead, Dundee and Edinburgh are sure to come knocking if they remain unsigned, particularly given the dearth of British talent in the league following the addition of two extra Scottish sides.
- Lee Mitchell, coming off a near career year which was scuppered by a knee injury, has also raised eyebrows at the top EIHL clubs.
- New blood is on its way to the Elite League in the form of Canadians Chris Korchinski and Stuart MacRae, who have both been confirmed as signing for, as yet, unnamed EIHL teams. Korchinski, 24, is the pick of the pair and looks set for one of the top five clubs, with 110 ECHL games and 43 ECHL goals under his belt as well as three AHL games. While 27 year old MacRae has spent the last two years with the Amarillo Gorillas of the CHL, where he has netted 43 goals and added 81 assists in 122 games.
- Following the capture of impressive young Brit Mark Garside from his former side Edinburgh, new Belfast coach Doug Christiansen is planning on bringing two more former players to Northern Ireland. Owen Fussey and Simon Lambert lit it up for the Caps last season scoring 72 goals as Edinburgh closed out the season in an EIHL best 6th place and Christiansen is now looking to raid the Caps for two more of the cogs of that performance.
- As per older rumours, Curtis Huppe, who surprisingly quit the Stingrays halfway through a two year contract last month, may yet return the EIHL with Braehead, Dundee or Belfast, however, a counter rumour has also suggested he has signed with Guildford of the EPL.
- Another older and, as yet, unconfirmed rumour is that Adam Calder has left his post as Braehead Clan player/coach just weeks after his appointment. Speculation implies that promises have not been met by Braehead owners concerning budget restrictions, however, this is yet to be confirmed. In anticipation of the Elite Leagues all time top scorer becoming available, Sheffield and a whole host of other EIHL clubs have thrown their name into the ring for the Calder's signature.
- Sylvain Cloutier is closing in on the signing of Sheffield Scimitars British forward James Archer, who last season appeared in seven games on a two-way contract with the Stingrays, scoring three goals. Archer would fill the gap left by the rumoured departure of GB forward Lee Mitchell. If Mitchell returned, however, Cloutier would most likely be forced to release either Lee Esders or Matty Davies to make room for the talented Archer.
