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| Photo courtesy Dean Woolley |
The hard hitting 6'1 blueliner has become a staple of the Stingrays blueline this season as one of the club's most consistent performers, posting two goals, 13 assists and 60 penalty minutes in 45 games after replacing countryman Tomas Valecko early in the season.
Originally signed from Italian second division side Milano Rossoblu in 2011, Ondrej took time to settle in Hull last season and struggled, particularly positionally, early in his first season in the country. He eventually found his form towards the tail end of the 11/12 campaign and produced some of his best hockey when it mattered most in the EIHL Playoffs as the Rays made the semi-finals for the first time.
Despite interest from Sylvain Cloutier last summer, Ondrej initially opted to remain in his hometown Presov in Slovakia due to personal reasons icing in seven games.
The release of Valecko after a disappointing spell in which he recorded just four points in 12 games then opened the door for the 29 year old to make his return in October.
Upon re-joining the club Ondrej started where he left off at the end of 11/12 season and immediately shored up a leaky defence that would go on to have one of the club's best seasons statistically. The 185 goals conceded in 52 games this season is the Rays second best showing in the Elite League after the club's debut campaign in which they conceded 11 fewer in 54 games during 06/07 under Rick Strachan.
Ondrej was close to, if not the club's best, most consistent defenceman last season and the difference between the first half of his first season and second half of his second season is night and day
Renowned for his big hits and a good outlet pass from defence, Ondrej will return for his third season in Hull during 13/14 and Cloutier is hoping he will continue his upturn in form:
"Marty has been great for us this year. He rebounded from last season. He knew this was his chance to prove himself and he has done that. Now we need him to build on this season and get even better next year. He is a key part of this club and he is going to help us move forward. We have a good core back already and we are going to work hard this summer to make sure we bring the right guys in."Ondrej joins player-coach Cloutier, netminder Ben Bowns, topscorer Jereme Tendler, Matty Davies and Jason Silverthon on the Rays roster for 13/14
