One import to go as Stingrays add Tanaka

Photo © Geoff Foster

The Rapid Solicitors Hull Stingrays will begin the build up to their 2012/2013 Elite Ice Hockey League campaign - their tenth anniversary season - in little over a month and they today edged closer to completing their roster with the signing of their tenth and penultimate import, Canadian forward Cale Tanaka.

The Ontario native comes to the club recommended by former Stingray and rookie success story Andrew Coburn - with whom he played with between 2007 and 2010 in the NCAA at the University of Alabama Huntsville.

While Coburn - who put in a tremendous season long stint with the Rays in 10/11 scoring 18 goals and 56 points in 54 games - recorded 54 points in 94 college games over three seasons, Tanaka hit just 24 in 112 games and four seasons.

A 26 year old winger, Tanaka began his career with big numbers in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League hitting 62 goals and 141 points in 183 games between both Stouffville Spirit and Aurora Tigers - peaking with 24 goals and 58 points in 49 games.

The points failed to materialise in the NCAA as they had in junior for the Canadian - who has British ancestry - as he was utilised primarily as a defensive, shut down forward at the top level of college hockey in North America with UAH Chargers - who claimed the College Hockey America Conference in 2006 and 2010.

Having graduated with a Bachelor's in Science in Business Administration, Marketing Management following four years at college, Tanaka crossed the Atlantic and joined French second tier side Montpelier for his rookie professional season as a 24 year old.

He ended up playing just nine games in France and during 10/11 on his senior debit, scoring two goals and two assists before re-surfacing last season in Ontario Hockey Association's senior Allan Cup Hockey league.

In a league laden with former EIHLers, Tanaka registered four goals and 9 assists for 13 points in 13 games last season, as 26 year old teammate Cam Watson lead the five team league with 34 goals and 63 points in 27 games.

Glowing references from Coburn look to have been a sizable factor in the signing of Tanaka, and of his latest signing coach Sylvain Cloutier said:

"Andrew said he comes to play every night and is a real professional on and off the ice and that's the type of team we want to put together in Hull. He will fit right in with our group of forwards and he will play a big role up front with our special teams. I am really looking forward to playing alongside him and coaching him."

There will undoubtedly be concerns raised over Tanaka's lack of points during the last six years - with just 41 points in 134 games - particularly as EIHL imports are generally expected to notch up the goals and points.

However, with Cloutier referring to the 5'9 forwards special teams abilities, it looks likely his newest addition will play a largely defensive role and will not necessarily be expected to regularly produce offensively.

This is more understandable given the Rays situation on and off-ice and the fact that they will this season be permitted 11 non-British born players - up from ten - meaning he is more likely replacing a British forward from last season.

Added to the rule change the club will actually possess another extra outskating import in comparison to last season after Brit Ben Bowns replaced Canadian Christian Boucher between the pipes - freeing up a further spot.

More concerning may be that Tanaka has iced in just 22 professional games over two season.

He becomes the Stingrays 12th signing and 9th import signing of the summer leaving Cloutier just a handful players short of a squad for the upcoming season.

Import wise it is still thought the club's final roster spot will go to either NCAA graduate forward Colin McIntosh or rangy, physical defenceman Jeff Smith - with it now looking like one will miss out. Confirmation of that final signing is expected within the next couple of weeks though according to the Hull Daily Mail it is looking increasingly likely it will be Smith after the Stingrays allegedly missed out on McIntosh due to paperwork issues.

The situation on the remaining couple of Brits remains less clear - with few experienced players available for next season the club may be forced to look to the junior ranks to fill out its roster.

Rays roster as it stands

Netminder

Ben Bowns

Brit

Defencemen

Lovdahl - Dulle

Valecko - Import (Smith?)

Hand - Brit

Forwards

Ozolins - Tendler - Silverthorn

Osman - Cloutier - Tanaka 

Towner - Sykes - Ward

Brit - Brit - 

Coburn shock departure confirmed as Stingrays turnover continues

Excel Hull Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier yesterday confirmed in the Hull Daily Mail that Andrew Coburn, the club's rookie revelation last season, will not return for a second year in Hull.

Instead - having joined the Rays last summer from the University of Alabama - Huntsville hockey programme - the Mount Forest, Ontario native looks set to end his professional hockey career by likely retiring after an outstanding single season in which he recorded 20 goals and 42 assists for 62 points in 61 games just 61 games.

Cloutiers confirmation that Coburn, named the Rays most improved player, will not pull on the blue and yellow again - despite a "pretty good offer" from the Stingrays - brings the total number of confirmed departures this summer to six, with Matti Uusivirta taking, at the very least, a season out of the sport, Konstantin Kalmikov now all but officially confirmed as leaving the club following a poor showing last year and enforcer turned forward Jozef Sladok likewise also on his way out.

Departed: Uusivirta, Kalmikov, Sladok

With the club opting for a four defenceman, five forward import line-up, there remains just one forward spot to fill after the confirmed offensive foreign quota signings of Dominic Osman, Frantisek Bakrlik, Jason Silverthorn, Jereme Tendler and Cloutier himself, who will suit up for possibly the final year of his career.

Having initially whittled his shortlist down to five players, in the last week the Rays player-coach further narrowed his search for that final spot down to just two players, one new to the UK and one with previous experience in the country.

The pair - both of whom are said to have put up "some numbers" in the past - will likely join the club in an all-around third line role, similar to the one many expected standout forward Coburn to be last summer.

While it will be hoped the new signing will follow in his footsteps and out-do all expectations, Cloutier believes the club is largely set for offensive output with all signed-up import forwards capable, he thinks, of hitting the 20 to 30 goal mark.

The Stingrays are not likely to confirm the identity of the new signing until, at the earliest, next week, however, speculation has already linked the club to former Stingray Jason Kostadine and controversial former NHLer Mike Danton.

Kostadine in 07/08

Hard working agitator Kostadine - who had a career year in 08/09 in Hull netting eight goals and 15 assists in 54 games - fits into the hardworking bracket, although whether his pointscoring exploits last time out in the EIHL, not even good enough for less than half a point per game, would tick the box marked "has put up points previously" remains to be seen. He has since put up just four goals, 14 points and a massive 328 PIM's over two seasons and 125 games between the IHL and CHL, though admittedly the American was a very effective agitator and became a fan favourite at the Hull Arena two years ago.

Danton has a complex history, after being drafted into the NHL by New Jersey in 2000 he recorded 34 points in 69 AHL games  and 14 points in 87 NHL games but was jailed in 04/05 for conspiracy to commit murder.

He made a comeback to the sport following his release from jail in just 09/10 with Canadian college Saint Mary's University and returned there last season, excelling both on and off-ice. He recently stated a desire to take up an opportunity to play in Europe and - having played with 'Clouts' in Albany in 2000/01 - pure speculation turned to him signing in Hull.

The potential negative publicity caused by adding Danton to the roster would likely nullify this rumour as a no-goer but the 30 year old is highly likely to show up in Europe in the near future with Hull or the EIHL a likely destination. Provided he could obtain a work permit to play in the country given his criminal record, the Elite League would be traditionally be ideal territory for such a player to make a return to the professional game as NHL legend Theo Fleury did in 05/06.

Admittedly it may be highly unlikely that Kostadine or Danton will suit up in Hull colours next year, particularly the latter. However, one thing is for sure, the hole left by Coburn is sizeable and his replacement may have to be more than the all-around role player that Cloutier expects of him, especially given the importance of the role imports play in the UK and the lack of offence often attributed to low budget sides.

Excel Hull Stingrays 10/11 Season Review: Up Front

Forwards

Sylvain Cloutier (58GP 11+36 64PIM)

Grade: B-

Return: Yes

Bounced back from a particularly disappointing first year in Hull on-ice and, although he may not have been the threat he once was going forward, he was for the second year in a row the heart beat of the team emotionally. For a 38 year old he was all too often the only physical threat up front. After more than 1000 professional games, next season could well be the final chapter in a lengthy and memorable career.

Lee Esders (53GP 7+6 32PIM)

Grade: C

Return: Yes

A slightly disappointing year in which both his production and performance dropped off somewhat. Still, he was named East Yorkshire Sports Personality of the Year, which is an incredible achievement given who he was up against, and he still provided that constant source of energy that has seen him become a fan favourite on the Rays third line. It looks quite likely that he has reached his plateau in Hull and he may well depart this summer.

Jason Silverthorn (55GP 20+31 30PIM)

Grade: C+

Return: Yes

Silverthorn started the year on fire - recording more than a point a game in October - before that great start to the year was brought to a shuddering halt by a massive hit from Nottingham defenceman Guillaume Lepine. The resulting concussion killed an semblance of form he had, affecting the rest of his season, although to his credit he still came very close to maintaining his record as a point-per-game forward in the Elite League.

Lee Mitchell (27GP 11+13 23PIM)

Grade: B+

Return: Yes

Another injury hit year for the Scottish born forward as his season and progression was once again scuppered by a knee injury. Had it not been for his troublesome knee injury he would likely be one of the most sought after British forwards at this point, and a Great Britain regular to boot. However, after coming on leaps and bounds during his time in Hull, he has yet to reach that full potential, leaving many thinking what could have been had the Scot been fit.

Konstantin Kalmikov (59GP 18+24 6PIM)

Grade: C-

Return: No

The award for biggest disappointment of the season undoubtedly has to go to Kalmikov. Previously the go-to 36 goal forward for the club, 'Kalmi' looked a different player from the off this past season. For whatever reason the Ukrainian failed to hit the form that saw him so highly rated previously and he went on to register just 18 goals, half of his previous total. A return to Hull looks very unlikely, although he would be welcome after three years as a fan favourite, however, it seems more than likely that another EIHL club may roll the dice on the 32 year old.

Andrew Coburn (61GP 20+42 68PIM)

Grade: A

Return: Yes

Arguably the signing of the season for the Stingrays. Coburn signed straight from college for his rookie season and, after taking time to acclimatise to the British and professional game in the seasons first few months, outperformed all expectations leading the team in assists but more often than not leading with consistent performances game-in, game-out. A truly brilliant all-around player and one the club will do well to hold on to in the summer.

Jereme Tendler (59GP 50+31 22PIM)

Grade: A

Return: Yes

While many expected Tendler to score goals for the Rays, never in a million years did they expect him to hit the half century mark and end the year as the leagues second top scorer. In a truly remarkable season, he comfortably broke the Stingrays single season goalscoring record by a mere 14 goals and set a benchmark for all future goalscorers brought to the club. Okay, so his all around game may not be quite as good as his finishing abilities but that's fair enough when you hit the twine 50 times in 56 games, while adding 31 assists. Next up? The difficult second season.

Ben Lowe (57GP 2+0 18PIM)

Grade: C

Return: Yes

Lowe received his first meaningful ice-time this season, a year after riding the pine, and made steady progress. His first two professional goals will undoubtedly be a highlight, even if they did come against an understrength Edinburgh, but where he goes from here in order to aid his improvement and potential is the question. Whether there will be room on the Rays roster for him to receive more ice-time remains to be seen but the decrease in import limit may work to his advantage.

Matti Uusivirta (54GP 16+21 66PIM)

Grade: C-

Return: No

Brought in hoping kick a reputation that had seen him pigeonholed as a defensive forward in his homeland, the Finn did little to prove he much else in his locker in his first year in the UK. Injury played its part in restricting him to 16 goals and 37 points as, to his credit, he battled on through the pain for large portions of the season. A good defensive forward but, unfortunately, that role is a luxury British clubs probably cannot afford at present.

Ryan Lake (44GP 5+5 50PIM)

Grade: B-

Return: Yes

After a number of seasons away from the sport Lake proved his worth on the Rays roster this past year, returning alongside his all too familiar, and very entertaining, pinball style of play. A huge fan favourite with a fearless attitude, he also chipped in with a useful five goals and ten points. 

Jozef Sladok (61GP 2+8 193PIM)

Grade: C

Return: No

Brought in as a D-man, Sladok was shifted up front upon the release of Grundmanis, signalling the end of Cloutier's 'twin towers' experiment. Regardless of where he was playing, the Slovak worked as hard as anyone on the roster. Nevertheless, while his work rate and fighting abilities are unquestioned - with 14 fights to his name last season, including bouts with heavyweights Guillaume Lepine and Brad Voth - his efficiency as a forward is questionable, particularly in a reduced import EIHL.

Andy Hirst (19GP 2+2 2PIM)

Grade: C

Return: Yes

Signed in mid-season from the EPL following the departure of Matty Davies, Hirst impressively fired home in his debut for the Rays, again albeit against lowly Edinburgh. Immediately stepping in above Lowe on the depth chart, his contributions early on were positive, however, his ice-time soon diminished as the Rays returned to full-strength.

MIA

Matty Davies (36GP 4+16 11PIM)

Grade: C-

Return: No

Quit on the club mid-way through an important game win Dundee, after being dropped to the third line, before signing in the EPL with Peterborough, where he registered over a point a game.

Also iced: James Archer (EPL Manchester Phoenix), Craig Elliot and Christopher Sykes (EPL Sheffield Steeldogs), Kieran Beach (ENL Kingston Jets), Dean Tonks (ENL Solihull Barons) and Callum Rawson (ENL Sheffield Spartans)

Tendler nets final hat-trick of the year with awards treble

Jereme Tendler the Excel Hull Stingrays record goal and points scorer in one season has capped off a magnificent year by claiming an awards treble at the club's End of Season Awards night at Holiday Inn Marina in Hull.

The Canadian forward, whom the Rays have re-signed for next season, deservedly picked up the fans awarded Forward of the Year and Player of the Year before his teammates voted him Players' Player of the Year after a outstanding season in which he has scored a record 50 goals, 81 points, 16 powerplay goals and 11 shorthanded goals.

Elsewhere, in his first year in professional hockey after signing from NCAA Division I college University of Alabama - Huntsville rookie forward Andrew Coburn picked up the Most Improved Player, award from fans. Naturally, it took the 24 year old time to adapt to both the British and professional game, however, once he did he became one of the Stingrays standout performers and signings of the season.

Forward Ryan Lake picked up British Player of the Year for his, at times, short but sweet and energetic performances in a comeback season in which he scored five goals and added five assists in 44 games.

Player-assistant coach Drew Bannister was deservedly awarded Defenceman of the Year for turning around the Rays rearguard upon signing in November while captain Kurtis Dulle won the Clubman of the Year award.

Finally, and perhaps somewhat surprisingly to many, Jason Silverthorn won Sylvain Cloutier's Coaches Player of the Year for his professional attitude.

Coburn nets second FBB Player of the Month award

24 year old rookie forward Andrew Coburn has become the first Excel Hull Stingrays player to claim the F Block Blog Player of the Month award twice, after adding the January's title to his earlier November award.

The Ontario native was once again the Rays standout player in an outstanding month personally, putting in man of the match performances against Nottingham on the 9th, Dundee on the 12th and Sheffield on the final weekend of the month.

He fairly comfortably beat defenceman Drew Bannister - who has now finished as second star in both months he has spent in Hull - by 25 points with the assistant coach having claimed a first star against Cardiff on the 23rd, second star against Sheffield on the 30th and third star against Nottingham on the 9th.

British forward Lee Esders - who was last night named Hull and East Yorkshire 2010 Sports Personality of the Year beating the likes of Hull City's Nick Barmby - ended the month in third having bagged a first star in the emphatic win over Edinburgh on the 16th.

On the same night Esders received his award, Stingrays captain Kurtis Dulle was given a special award for his tireless work within the community and local schools in an event held at the KC Stadium.

Coburn scoops FBB Player of the Month

Excel Hull Stingrays forward Andrew Coburn has today picked up the F Block Blog Player of the Month award for November after stepping up his consistent play in just his second month as a professional.

The 24 year old, who joined the Stingrays from NCAA college the University of Alabama-Huntsville in the summer, picked up first star awards in the win over Braehead and tight home loss to Coventry and that was enough to fire him to the top of the monthly leader board with 40 points, 20 points ahead of netminder Christian Boucher, who once again finished in second place.

Coburn, although not a regular contributor to the scoresheet, has proven to be a great asset to the club, putting in consistent, hardworking performances game after game. Goals and points from the Canadian are largely seen as a bonus to coach Sylvain Cloutier, who primarily wants the rookie to play a solid two-way game on the Rays forward lines, but he has bagged 12 points in 22 games so far this year including the crucial game winning goal over Newcastle in Whitley Bay on the 20th.

Despite a roller coaster month for the club, Coburn showed signs that he is beginning to acclimatise to the professional game and is starting to go from strength to strength in the Elite League. Needless to say Cloutier will be hoping his consistent performances catch on.

Kalmikov, Read and Coburn are back as Cloutier focuses on rebuilding squad

The Hull Stingrays confirmed at last nights fans forum that three more players initially signed to the club would take to the ice in Hull this coming year after the clubs takeover.

Returning goalscorer Konstantin Kalmikov, rookie forward Andrew Coburn and former Basingstoke blueliner Trevor Read will line up for the Rays this coming season afterall.

At a well attended fans forum, coach Sylvain Cloutier revealed to huge relief that Ukrainian Kalmikov, who last season netted a club record 31 league goals to set his total in a Rays jersey at 54, would be back for a third season in Hull colours.

And despite rumours that he had signed for Edinburgh, Read, who spent last year in France, was also confirmed as returning under the new Coventry based ownership group.

24 year old Canadian Coburn, who will become one of the youngest imports to ice for the club in the Elite League, also had doubts about committing to the club. However, after rejecting offers elsewhere to remain with the club for the forthcoming season, Cloutier pointed out that the rookie is very excited to come to the UK following three years in the US college system at the University of Alabama-Huntsville, where he racked up 21 goals and 33 assists in 94 appearances.

Coach Cloutier now turns his attentions to replacing the departing fivesome of Matt Suderman, James Archer, Guillaume Lepine, Joshua Mizerek and Chris Korchinski.

With the seasons opening weekend just a week away for many clubs, the majority of British players have already been snapped up and with the Rays able to sign a total of 12 imports this season it looks highly likely that Brit forward Archer will be replaced by an import.

That leaves Cloutier searching for what is likely to be three import defencemen and two import forwards ahead of the start of the Rays season in October.

Signing news is expected soon with contract offers on the table and awaiting signatures. Forwards Jereme Tendler, whom Cloutier coached in Corpus Christi, and Sean Berkstresser, former team mate of Rays keeper Christian Boucher, have been heavily linked with contract offers.

Rookie Coburn confirmed as fourth new recruit

Sylvain Cloutier has today confirmed the signing of former University of Alabama-Huntsville forward Andrew Coburn for the 10/11 Elite League season.

The 24 year old becomes the Stingrays fourth new signing of the off-season, joining captain Joshua Mizerek, netminder Christian Boucher and powerful forward Chris Korchinski on the team, and the clubs final forward ahead of their fifth Elite League season.

The native of Mount Forest, Ontario, comes to the UK as a rookie professional having spent three years in NCAA Division 1 at the University of Alabama-Huntsville. In Alabama, he was consistently up there in the scoring charts, finishing second and third in his teams scoring charts in his final two years in the US. It was last season that Coburn particularly flourished, netting seven times and adding 15 assists as UAH for a three year high of 22 points in 33 games after hitting the 13 and 19 point mark in his first two seasons.

Having spoken to Coburn's coaches at college, coach Cloutier firmly believes that with some hard work, the forward will put up significant numbers in the Elite League

"Danton  [Cole] told me I couldn't go wrong with Andrew. He's a hard worker and put good number up in his league. He wanted to come to Europe and give it a go...When you go to college you have to work hard every day and not take a day off...I am excited to have him on board."

Prior to his stint in Alabama at college the he indeed proved he can put up numbers as he hit 34 goals and 77 points in 60 games in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), a junior league in the West of Canada.

As an "extremely hard worker" it was expected that Coburn would slot into the Rays forward lines initially as a third line forward to fill the energy role in relief of the top two lines, with James Archer taking a slot on the top two forward lines.

However, Cloutier clearly believes in Coburn's ability to put up numbers at this level and, as a result, there have been strong suggestions that the Canadian will link up on one of the top two lines alongside Brit Lee Mitchell and leading forward Korchinski, theoretically replacing sniper and former player-assistant coach Curtis Huppe.

The former UAH #10 is excited to be starting his professional career in the UK and believes he can potentially fill in the spot left by Huppe's departure.

"I am very excited about signing with the Hull Stingrays..I am really looking forward to my first year as a pro. Four years of juggling school and hockey has been demanding, now I can devote all of my attention to helping the team win and better myself as a player..I feel as though I can help Hull put up more wins and being surrounded by quality player I feel as though I can make an impact."

While the club now looks to have completed its forward lines, with three lines and one extra player signed, it remains to be seen whether Cloutier goes for strength in numbers and signs one or two more British players as  injury reserves.

Nevertheless, news of the official signings of Coburn and netminder Christian Boucher all but confirms the rumours that Cloutier has had his side in place for quite some time and, as such, perhaps no more players will be added to the clubs fire power.

Those very same rumours have also suggested that the Stingrays will complete their squad for the 10/11 Elite League season with former Basingstoke defenceman Trevor Read and tough blueliner Matt Suderman.