Osman joins Stingrays

29 year old American winger Dominic Osman has today become the Excel Hull Stingrays first new import signing for the 11/12 season, joining the club from ECHL side Toledo Walleye.

Last season, in his second full year in the third tier of North American hockey the Michigan native registered ten goals and 25 points in 56 games in Ohio while playing alongside former Stingray favourite and GB international defenceman Dave Phillips.

The Lake Superior State University graduate began his career immediately prior to completing his college degree in fire science in 06/07, signing for the ECHL's Reading Royals, where he was forced to play defence and went on to record no points in a short three game stint to begin his professional career.

Osman then spent his rookie campaign in the CHL with the New Mexico Scorpions immediately troubling the scorers by registering 47 points in 60 games, before moving on to spend the beginning of his sophomore season with the Fort Wayne Comets of the IHL.

Having continued to rack up the points with 18 goals and 30 points in 37 games with the Comets, he was traded in mid-March ahead of the playoffs, moving to the Kalamzaoo Wings alongside teammate Dylan Row in exchange for Wings defenceman Rod Aldoff.

That proved to be a particularly profitable move for the 6'0, 200lbs forward who went on to score an impressive 14 goals in 15 regular season games on a Wings side that earlier in the year had seen now Stingrays record goalscorer Jereme Tendler net five goals in five games.

A move to the ECHL for a first stint with Toledo materialised in 09/10 before a mid-season trade saw him move to Florida in exchange for last season Dundee Stars blueliner Chris Zarb.

Once again the trade benefited the Stingrays newest recruit, who improved from scoring 22 points in 47 games with Toledo to bagging 15 in 20 in the Sunshine State.

He returned to Toledo last season, however, the 29 year old will now move to Hull hoping to recreate the a move from North America that fellow former K-Wing Tendler made last summer.

While a landmark 50 goals may not be expected from Osman, who set his current career best of 24 goals in his rookie year with New Mexico, player-coach Sylvain Cloutier would like him to replace either retired defensive forward Matti Uusivirta or last season's disappointment Konstantin Kalmikov, who between them combined for just 34 goals, 16 fewer than leading scorer Tendler having promised more early last summer.

Cloutier is understandably worried about his side being offensively blunt once again next term but he hopes Osman's signing will begin to ease those worries.

"Last season we had a big lack of secondary scoring. Our second unit struggled to put the puck in the net and at times we were carrying passengers and that hurt us."

With 87 goals and 157 points to his name in 235 professional career games thus far, Osman's resume suggests that he should in theory give the Rays another scoring option going forward and, hopefully, one able to regularly backup Tendler, who far too often was relied upon for clinical finishes last term. Cloutier said of his new addition:

"Dominic has a great offensive threat, he has got a great shot, he is a great skater, he competes and never takes a night. He has got some speed, which is something we did not have a lot of last season, and he will relish the bigger ice here."

It is naturally hoped that the drop from four-line hockey to three-line hockey and the subsequent increase in ice-time will give Osman, the Stingrays seventh signing of the summer, the chance to flourish as Tendler did much to everyone's surprise last season.

He joins British defenceman Sam McCluskey and Dan Scott, import forwards Tendler, Sylvain Cloutier and Jason Silverthorn and British forward Tristan Cameron-Harper on the Rays roster for the 11/12 Elite League season.

Stingrays Fans Forum Pt.3: Korchinski and Mizerek finally kick off import signings

After an agonisingly long wait, Sylvain Cloutier finally revealed the names of seven of his squad for the 10/11 Elite League season and, while five British players returned to the side, the capture of North American imports Josh Mizerek and Chris Korchinski particularly caught the eye as Cloutier looks to replace the departed George Halkidis and Curtis Huppe.

24 year old centreman Korchinski joins the club from ECHL side Elmira Jackals, where last season, in his second year with the club, he netted 18 times and hit 12 assists in 46 games before adding a goal and two helpers in five playoff games with the New York based side.

He began his junior career with four very productive junior years in Yorkton of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) and that success continued in his first pro season in Laredo of the Central Hockey League (CHL) with a call up to the American Hockey League (AHL) for a two game stint with the San Antonio Rampage.

He spent both his rookie and sophomore season with the Laredo Bucks and thanks to a combination of both ability and work ethic he returned a total of 47  goals and 106 points in 122 games. From there, the 6ft forward went on to Las Vegas of the ECHL and, while he couldn't find success in nine games in Sin City, he could in Elmira, NY, where scored 23 goals and 48 points in 55 games, being called up to nearby Binghampton of the American Hockey League in the process. He returned to Elmira last season and Cloutier admitted that it had been a long battle for his signature:

"I have been trying to get him for the last three years. I wanted him when I was in Corpus Christi and also last summer, that's how highly I think of him. He is a really big signing for us. If I was to compare him with someone I would say he is Dan Carlson with an edge. He puts up numbers and is not afraid to mix it up."

Korchinski will likely be the Rays first line centre and will be forced to both produce offensively and lead by example in all aspects of play.

Joining him as a new face on the Stingrays roster is veteran blueliner Mizerek. The 6'0 tall recruit, who can play both D and forward, has joined former team mate Cloutier in Hull and was immediately named captain by the Rays boss following three successive seasons as captain of Eredivisie side HYS Den Haag.

The Miami University alumni joins the Stingrays after spending five years in the ECHL, two years in the CHL, a year in the UHL and three seasons in Europe with the Den Haag Wolves. During his time in the 'E', which he split between Dayton, Florida, Baton Rouge, Lexington and Louisianna, he played a solid, dependable role on the blueline, however, he did gradually accumulate over 80 points in over 250 appearances in the third tier of North American hockey before moving down to the CHL and IHL.

It was there, in the UHL with Adirondack, that Mizerek played with Rays coach Cloutier and, after being part of the captaincy team both in college and with Louisanna, his influence and leadership abilities immediately made an impact on 'Clouts'.

The 32 year old spent his second year in the CHL with Amarillo, hitting a goal and 18 assists, before making the decision to move to Europe and, more specifically, Den Haag. In three years in the Dutch capital Mizerek has not only become a fan favourite while resuming his role as a leader and dependable defenceman, but he has also played a part offensively, scoring 30 goals and adding 61 assists for 91 points in 116 games.

Although those three years were productive individually, as Mizerek last year hit career best totals in assists (28) and points (36), he also won the first championship of his career in 08/09, with the Minnesota native hitting three goals and four assists in ten playoff games.

According to a scouting report on his agency's website, the words which best describe the American defenceman are "hardworking, reliable, experienced, dedicated and committed" and this was echoed by his new coach Cloutier upon signing.

"He knows how to win and he doesn't accept losing. He is a winner. I have played with him before and he is a competitor, he never gives up and they are the positive vibes I want in the team."

Both Korchinski and Mizerek have previously won titles in their respective careers and Cloutier went on to admit that this was an important aspect of next seasons squad:

"Both of these guys have won championships before and know how to win and that's the kind of guy I want on my team, they are winners and that is what we want to be next season."

Stingray news

Slonina returns to Stockton

American forward-turned defenceman, Steve Slonina, has found a new club, after leaving the Stingrays when his contract expired at the end of last season. He has re-signed with Stockton Thunder, the club he scored 66 points for in 94 games between 2005 and 2006, after a successful tryout with the ECHL club

The Abington, Massachusetts native, joined the Stingrays as a forward last summer and played games in that position before the team's injury crisis struck. He filled in on defence, a position he was no stranger to, after injuries to Stuart Kerr, Paul Moran and Troy Neumeier and shone all season long.

He took home Defenceman of the Year and Fans Player of the Year, at the Stingrays end of season awards ceremony, whilst he also represented the team in the EIHL's first ever All Star game, where he added an assist.

He recorded nine goals and 40 points in 60 games for the Rays last year and became, not only one of the club's most highly rated defencemen, but also a fan favourite, primarily for his tenacious play from the blueline. He returns to the ECHL, where he has a total of 159 points in 281 career games.

Sanford to arrive

The Stingrays latest recruit, defenceman James Sanford, is expected in the country this week ahead of his debut against the Nottingham Panthers at the NIC this Saturday.

The Canadian had been playing in the Dutch capital with HYS Den Haag but was cut prior to the beginning of the season, he was then quickly snapped up by Sylvain Cloutier to replace the injury Ryan Jorde on the Rays blueline. Standing at 5'10, he is expected to add some offensive punch to the Rays defensive corps by stepping in as quarterback on the team's powerplay.

Mitchell close to return?

22 year old forward Lee Mitchell may finally return to the side this weekend after sitting out the opening four weeks of the season.

The Scot had minor surgery on a knee injury that troubled him during pre-season preparations and he has yet to ice under Sylvain Cloutier this season, however he is expected to make a return within the next two weeks, provided there are no complications.

EIHL All Star Game 2010

The EIHL have announced that the EIHL All Star game will return for 2010. The game, which last season featured two Brits and two imports from each EIHL side, will this year be played at iceSheffield on Wednesday January 13 with face-off slated for 7.30pm.

Last season's EIHL All Star game, held at Coventry's Skydome, saw the Southern All Stars, featuring the Stingrays Steve Slonina, Slava Koulikov, Curtis Cruickshank, Lee Mitchell and Jeff Glowa, come out victorious with a 12-10 win over the Northern All Stars.

Slonina follows Riddle; Rays move one import defenceman from completion.

27 year old Steve Slonina has followed Jake Riddle into signing for the 08/09 Excel Hull Stingrays. Slonina is a 5'11 centre from Abington, Massachusetts, who has spent the most part of 5 years in the ECHL after beggining his hockey career with the UMass-Lowell Riverhawks in the NCAA. Last season he split time with the Bakersfield Condors (ECHL), who fellow signee Jason Kostadine played for, and Mississippi Riverkings (CHL), who another new signee, Rick Kozak, iced with.

During his 5 years in the ECHL he recorded 70 goals and 83 assists in 293 games, including a career year in his rookie season with the Gwinnett Gladiators where he recorded career bests in games (69), goals (20), assists (17) and points (37)

He is expected to slot in as the teams first line centre, replacing Brad Patterson who scored 25 points in 48 games before qutting the team due to personal problems. Once again increased ice time is expected to inflate his offensive production for the Stingrays however the Rays do look to have 3 balanced lines.

Coach Rick Strachan says:

"Steve is a talented and gritty guy. I spoke to his coach last year and he told me he is a solid player, who can play at both ends. He is a natural centreman. He is more of a playmaker than a goalscorer but he can score goals. He is a guy who will play on the point on the powerplay and control things. He can play a few roles and that is a bonus, especially if you get injuries."

Former coach, Marty Raymond said:

"He wanted to come here, we needed another centerman and at this point we'd probably be in big trouble without him (due to the season-ending injury to Sean Venedam). He's good on faceoffs, he brings speed and is pretty good on (penalty kills) so that really helps us out. He also has patience on the power play and can play the point. With Venny gone he steps into that role, which is a tough role to do."

IMAGE: CoCo Walters / The Caifornian.

Kost of Rankin leaving is minimised.

It has now been confirmed that Rob Rankin turned down both the Excel Hull Stingrays and Swedish side Olofstroms IK in order to join Newcastle Vipers for his second season in Britain and the EIHL.

Rankin recorded 24 goal, assists 33 for 57 points in his maiden season with the Stingrays and was undeniably one of the best and most consistent performers on the team.

Meanwhile gritty, tough forward Jason Konstadine signs for his first stint in Britain after spending 4 years in the ECHL. He was drafted in the 8th round of the 2002 NHL Draft by Chicago Blackhawks and recorded 96 PIMs in 30 games late last season with the Bakersfield Condors after starting the season with the Augusta Lynx. He will be expected to provide energy, grit and some much needed toughness to a Stingrays side that has often lacked toughness in its first three seasons on the EIHL. It sparks the beginning of what could be a much much tougher side next term as it is expected coach Rick Strachan will opt to go with aggression and entertainment in order to bring more fans through the doors.

Trull Vs Kostadine