Though the surprise addition has yet to be officially confirmed, it is believed that the 32 year old - who appeared in 14 games with the Tigers last season and also doubled up as assistant coach to Tom Watkins - has joined the club to provide injury cover and experience as back-up to starting netminder Ben Bowns.
The Stingrays were in desperate need of an experienced back-up to Bowns. 17 year old Warren Gilfoyle and 18 year old Liam Jackson - both members of the Stingrays NIHL squad - looked to be the only available options heading into the season following the departure of Andy Brummitt this summer, causing concern over the impact of any potential injury to the Stingrays number one.
While Blais may not be of the quality of Christian Boucher or many of the Stingrays starters before him - having iced in the French second and third division, Norwegian second division and EPL - the experience he can offer will be invaluable for both Bowns and the Stingrays
The signing brings the Rays - limited to 11 imports on any given match night - to 12 imports. Blais will therefore likely sit out the majority of games - with Gilfoyle or Jackson filling in - unless injury, suspension or otherwise rules out another of the 11 imports, or if Bowns himself picks up an injury.
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| Ben Bowns |
But with Blais on the roster, the Rays now have a reliable and relatively cheap but experienced import netminder that can not only help Bowns develop but can also fill in the Brits skates should the unthinkable happen, while retaining 11 other imports
The absence of Shane Lovdahl this weekend due to a delay in the VISA application process means Blais is set to debut as back-up in the Stingrays season opener against the Nottingham Panthers this evening in the Challenge Cup.
