The Hull Stingrays have been revived for the 10/11 Elite League campaign with new owners Paul Thompson, James Pease, Andy Buxton and Mike Cowley of the Coventry Blaze stepping in at the last minute to save the club.
The sports unlikely and somewhat surprising return to the city after less than a week away will see former Blaze defenceman and current Blaze General Manager Pease come in as Stingrays temporary GM, while the owners appoint Hull's own management group, with Sylvain Cloutier returning for a second term as player-coach.
With the opening weekend of the season just two and a half weeks away, it has also been confirmed that the club has received clearance from the EIHL to start the season a month after the leagues other nine teams during the first weekend of October. This will not only allow the new owners to put in place a new off-ice structure but will create the time necessary for Cloutier to reassemble his squad and replace any players that have understandably decided to depart.
So far just James Archer, Matt Suderman and unannounced signing Guilamme Lepine have officially left the club, however, defenceman Trevor Read is strongly rumoured to have found a new club and others may yet make way. New GM Pease also announced on BBC Radio Humberside that the Rays will run with 11 imports, one more than anticipated under the previous ownership, leaving Cloutier searching for at least three new imports ahead of the new season.
Further details of the forthcoming season including fixtures, sponsors, shirt designs and signing news are expected soon.
