During his time in the ECHL between 02/03 and 04/05 Read, now 29, appeared for Toldeo Storm, Peoria Rivermen and Long Beach Ice Dogs, accumulating 47 points in 172 games before he transferred to the CHL.
The defenceman settled in the CHL with the now defunct Amarillo Gorillas in 05/06, after initially being let go by the Austin Ice Bats. He went on to spend the best part of three seasons with the Texas club, not missing a regular season game in the final two years, hitting a total of eight goals, 51 assists for 59 points in 174 games.
The Calgary, Alberta native then came to the UK to test the Elite League in Basingstoke's last year in the top flight. In a season played under extremely tough circumstances, in which the Bison finished rock bottom, Read, boosted by huge amounts of ice time, hit career bests in goals (5), assists (25) and points (30).
He returned to Europe last season, this time opting to play in France with HC Gap, but failed to significantly challenge the scorers, registering only four assists in 23 games before hitting two assists in two playoff games.
Cloutier will be hoping that he returns to his Bison point scoring form, particularly as the Rays have been without a true offensive set up defenceman, discounting Pavel Gomneyuk's 38 point effort in 08/09, since Craig Minard and Kevin Young departed. Last season aside, it appears as though he will be capable of being the go-to guy offensively from defence.
"Our back end is much stronger, that's been my focus. If we want to compete with the big clubs with their firepower we need to be strong at the back...Trevor comptetes, he picks up points and accepts any role you put him in...You want those guys who will accept a role and do a job for you."The time he has spent researching and rebuilding his defence appears to have paid off with the two weakest links from last season, Halkidis and Gomenyuk, replaced with more experienced and, arguably, better players.
Nevertheless, with just five defencemen, each and every one of those signed to defend Christian Boucher between the pipes will have to play to their strengths all of the time, particularly with numbers and finances running so low.
The Stingrays, and their seven new signings, will open their season with a visit to Cardiff Bay to face the Devils on Saturday 4 September (7pm) before they return home to take on early title favourites the Belfast Giants on Sunday (6pm) at the Hull Arena.
