Stingrays Fans Forum Pt.3: Korchinski and Mizerek finally kick off import signings

After an agonisingly long wait, Sylvain Cloutier finally revealed the names of seven of his squad for the 10/11 Elite League season and, while five British players returned to the side, the capture of North American imports Josh Mizerek and Chris Korchinski particularly caught the eye as Cloutier looks to replace the departed George Halkidis and Curtis Huppe.

24 year old centreman Korchinski joins the club from ECHL side Elmira Jackals, where last season, in his second year with the club, he netted 18 times and hit 12 assists in 46 games before adding a goal and two helpers in five playoff games with the New York based side.

He began his junior career with four very productive junior years in Yorkton of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) and that success continued in his first pro season in Laredo of the Central Hockey League (CHL) with a call up to the American Hockey League (AHL) for a two game stint with the San Antonio Rampage.

He spent both his rookie and sophomore season with the Laredo Bucks and thanks to a combination of both ability and work ethic he returned a total of 47  goals and 106 points in 122 games. From there, the 6ft forward went on to Las Vegas of the ECHL and, while he couldn't find success in nine games in Sin City, he could in Elmira, NY, where scored 23 goals and 48 points in 55 games, being called up to nearby Binghampton of the American Hockey League in the process. He returned to Elmira last season and Cloutier admitted that it had been a long battle for his signature:

"I have been trying to get him for the last three years. I wanted him when I was in Corpus Christi and also last summer, that's how highly I think of him. He is a really big signing for us. If I was to compare him with someone I would say he is Dan Carlson with an edge. He puts up numbers and is not afraid to mix it up."

Korchinski will likely be the Rays first line centre and will be forced to both produce offensively and lead by example in all aspects of play.

Joining him as a new face on the Stingrays roster is veteran blueliner Mizerek. The 6'0 tall recruit, who can play both D and forward, has joined former team mate Cloutier in Hull and was immediately named captain by the Rays boss following three successive seasons as captain of Eredivisie side HYS Den Haag.

The Miami University alumni joins the Stingrays after spending five years in the ECHL, two years in the CHL, a year in the UHL and three seasons in Europe with the Den Haag Wolves. During his time in the 'E', which he split between Dayton, Florida, Baton Rouge, Lexington and Louisianna, he played a solid, dependable role on the blueline, however, he did gradually accumulate over 80 points in over 250 appearances in the third tier of North American hockey before moving down to the CHL and IHL.

It was there, in the UHL with Adirondack, that Mizerek played with Rays coach Cloutier and, after being part of the captaincy team both in college and with Louisanna, his influence and leadership abilities immediately made an impact on 'Clouts'.

The 32 year old spent his second year in the CHL with Amarillo, hitting a goal and 18 assists, before making the decision to move to Europe and, more specifically, Den Haag. In three years in the Dutch capital Mizerek has not only become a fan favourite while resuming his role as a leader and dependable defenceman, but he has also played a part offensively, scoring 30 goals and adding 61 assists for 91 points in 116 games.

Although those three years were productive individually, as Mizerek last year hit career best totals in assists (28) and points (36), he also won the first championship of his career in 08/09, with the Minnesota native hitting three goals and four assists in ten playoff games.

According to a scouting report on his agency's website, the words which best describe the American defenceman are "hardworking, reliable, experienced, dedicated and committed" and this was echoed by his new coach Cloutier upon signing.

"He knows how to win and he doesn't accept losing. He is a winner. I have played with him before and he is a competitor, he never gives up and they are the positive vibes I want in the team."

Both Korchinski and Mizerek have previously won titles in their respective careers and Cloutier went on to admit that this was an important aspect of next seasons squad:

"Both of these guys have won championships before and know how to win and that's the kind of guy I want on my team, they are winners and that is what we want to be next season."