The Excel Hull Stingrays have replaced forward Rick Kozak, with Canadian left winger Jamie Thompson, who was expected to fly into the country today.Thompson, 34, played last season with the Austin Ice Bats, on the same team as both Aaron Wilson and Stuart Kerr, and recorded 24 points in 54 games after previously sitting out the 06/07 season.
Prior to his year long spell in Austin, Thompson spent four seasons in the UHL with Elmira, Quad City and Danbury Thrashers, where he recorded just under 130 points in 145 games.
The 6'0 forward also has extensive time in what is regarded as the worlds second best league behind the NHL, where he spent three seasons spanning from 1998 to 2002, in that time scoring 58 points.
However, despite time in the AHL, the glowing light on Thompsons resume is most certainly the 1997/98 season with El Paso Buzzards. In his 71 game season with the WPHL team (a league that was replaced by the Central Hockey League),Thompson scored 71 goals and added 52 assists for huge total of 122 points, during his sides successful defence of the WPHL title.
The Stingrays will not be Thompson's first action of the season having attended Norfolk Admirals (AHL) training camp, and also having initially signed to play for ECHL side Augusta Lynx.
Whilst it seems, from first impressions, that Rick Kozak's replacement may not make as big a physical impact on the ice, he will most certainly make it on the scoreboard, a 71 goal season speaking volumes. With the team nearing full strength, with Stuart Kerrs foot injury not as bad as first feared and Slava Koulikov slowly nearing fitness, the Stingrays now have a chance to build on two impressive results over the weekend, with a victory over Newcastle and a tight loss to the high flying Manchester Phoenix.
Stingrays coach Rick Strachan had this to say of Thompson's signing:
"Stuart [Kerr] and Aaron [Wilson] tell me he's a veteran guy with tonnes of experience. He's a hardworking, honest hockey player, who's very fast and has a good shot. He will play the body, can be physical if he needs to be and has good skill.I'm not worried, 34 isn't old any more. I'm told he's in great shape, is still super-fast and a good player."Furthermore, adding:
"Jamie's a ten year veteran in good leagues and we needed a left wing that can score goals and he has done that throughout his career. He will bring a good work ethic with him and there is no doubt that he will make this team and club better. It didn't take a lot, Kerr and Willi spoke to him then I gave him a call and it was sorted in three minutes. I said this is what we've got to give and he says he's coming."His previous coach in Austin, Brent Hughes, said:
"Jamie will be one of our most experienced players, and he's a pure goal scorer. We're looking to him to be one of our top scorers this season. He has AHL experience and leadership which he'll bring to our club, so we're very excited to have him."Finally, former teammate, Stuart Kerr, had this to say:
"Tommo is a young guy. He's a hard-nosed player, and played a lot of games in the AHL. He's really fast, and plays a lot like Jeff Glowa in that he's not afraid to get in the corners and will score some big goals for us. Tommo is a big addition and will help us win games and keep us in the play-off hunt.""Jamie didn't need much persuading. Aaron and I played alongside him last year at the Ice Bats so we made the phone call and asked him what he was doing. He said 'nothing right now', so we talked to Rick Strachan and Rick researched him. He's not coming over for two months and then leaving"
"Jamie and I talked a couple of days ago and he wants to get over here and play some hockey."
