Stingrays get Lowe, Lowe, Lowe, Lowe, Lowe

Sylvain Cloutier has today promoted 19 year old forward Ben Lowe from a two-way contract with the Kingston Jets to a permanent Excel Hull Stingrays contract for the rest of the season.

The youngster, who has been used sparingly in six Rays games so far this season, has spent all season training with both the Stingrays and the English National League Kingston Jets, where he had registered nine goals and seven assists in 17 games.

His signing suggests that Cloutier has admitted defeat in his attempt to sign Sheffield Scimitars forward James Archer on a permanent basis following the Sheffield-born players impressive performances during his five two-way appearances so far this season in which he has netted three goals and an assist.

While Archer will still be on Cloutier's radar for next season, he has now moved on to fill the gap left by Shaun Thompson's departure to Basingstoke with Lowe, who will give the Stingrays some further depth following injury to previous depth signing Aivars Gaisins, who appeared in just two Rays games before breaking his hand in Belfast on Thursday.

Lowe was handed his first real ice time in Sunday's win over Newcastle, after Gaisins injury and illness struck Adam Knight pre-game, and the youngster performed well on a line with fellow Kingston trained youngsters Matty Davies and Lee Esders, perhaps feeling he could have scored his first goal for the club in the second period with a big chance that was saved by Vipers keeper Michel Robinson.

Sylvain Cloutier admitted that he has been improving all year long and that he was pleasantly surprised at the performance of the slight forward agianst the Vipers:

"I am really pleased to have Ben in the line-up for the rest of the season. He has been practicing with us all season and you can see the improvement he has made. He wants to get better and we want to help make him a better player. It's nice to have another local talent in the line-up - you always want to help and make the young local guys into better hockey players.

Ben did a great job against Newcastle. With Knighter [Adam Knight] out he gave us another pair of leg. He could have just sat on the bench but we gave him a chance to see what he could do and he did nothing wrong. he can skate, has some speed and has good hands. He can only get better."

Gaisins to fill in for Stingrays

Sylvain Cloutier has made former team mate of Martins Raitums, Aivars Gaisins, the Excel Hull Stingrays 15th and final import signing for the 09/10 Elite League season just a day before the transfer window closes.

Latvian defenceman Gaisins, 27, has been training with the Stingrays all season after moving to live and work in the city earlier in the year and he will deputise as a forward tomorrow night against Coventry in place of Jeff Glowa, who suffered what is thought to be his second concussion of the season in the shootout victory over the Devils following a check from Max Birbraer.

The former Latvian international, who stands at 6'2, played on the same ASK Ogre side in the Belarusian top flight as keeper Raitums, where he registered three assists and 79 penalty minutes in 22 games as a defenceman.

His career year came 04/05, when, icing for ASK Ogre in the Latvian league, he netted five times and added seven assists in 27 games from the blueline, however, Sylvain Cloutier has other ideas for Gaisins. He said:

"Aivars is going to be excited about playing. He asked me at the start of the season if he could play for us and now he's finally got his chance. He's a strong, stay-at-home defenceman, but I think I'll play him on the wing."

Gaisins becomes the Excel Hull Stingrays 15th and final import signing of the season and, once Glowa returns from injury, Sylvain Cloutier will have 11 imports to chose from for a 10 import match night roster.

His signature gives the Stingrays cover up front following Shaun Thompson's departure and Glowa's injury, which, being his second concussion of the season, could see him sit out for a significant length of time as a precaution.

It also gives coach Cloutier options in defence should any of his six defencemen suffer injuries or fatigue in the run in to the Stingrays first appearance in the Elite League playoffs.

With Gaisins in the lineup, the Stingrays now travel to the Cloutier's former club Coventry tomorrow night looking for their fourth win on the bounce in a game which the Blaze will celebrate their 10th anniversary.

Raitums replaces Sandahl

As widely expected, Excel Hull Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier today made a change in his sides netminding department, replacing Tommy Sandahl with Latvian international Martins Raitums.

Raitums, 24 ,joins the team having spent five seasons with HK Riga 2000, split between the Latvian and Belarusian leagues, before he made the switch to ASK Ogre in the Belarusian league last season where he appeared in 36 games recording a 3.51 goals against average and a 90.2% save percentage.

Despite being just 24, the Talsi, Lativa native, has plenty of experience in the top flight of play in his homeland and was selected as backup to Team Latvia in Pool A of the IIHF World Championships on three occasions, in 2005, 2006 and 2007, in 2006 facing world beaters Team Canada.

Swede Sandahl's ability was constantly under question and his fate seemed to have been sealed in last weekends double header against Coventry, where the former Troja-Ljungby stopper leaked five Coventry goals in just over 20 minutes of play before Brit backup Andrew Jaszcyzk stepped in and allowed just one in 24 shots and two periods of play as the Stingrays almost completed a miraculous comeback.

Cloutier then seriously considered starting Jaszczyk in the following nights 5-3 loss in Coventry only to give Sandahl another chance between the pipes. In his 39 game spell in the Elite League he registered a league worst 4.24 goals against average and 89.3% save percentage.

The Stingrays head coach spoke of the changes to the Hull Daily Mail, highlighting Raitums clear quality, while admitting that the Rays lowly position was not all the fault of Sandahl. He said:

"If you bring in anyone it's a gamble, as you don't know whether they are going to settle. We were getting saves from Tommy, but we need to get those extra ones. Martins has played in the Latvian and Belarus leagues and they are high scoring leagues with very skilled hockey players, so I'm not too worried about him being new to Britain. "

"If he has played at World Championships and been back-up for the Olympics he has to be decent, and I'm excited about bringing him in. He's played a lot of games every year and has been carrying a load for his team, so he has the experience. It will be a fresh start for us and hopefully he can come in and give us the confidence we need in defence."

"We took a chance with Tommy and you can't blame him for everything. A lot of stuff has happened during the season with injuries and suspensions and Tommy has faced a lot of rubber. He showed in the P & O Cup he was not a bad goaltender and he has a great future ahead of him, but we just felt we needed to make a change. Tommy was disappointed, but he understood and I wish him nothing but the best as he is a good guy."

The change, which had been rumoured for a number of weeks, with the Hull Dail Mail suggesting the deal was being worked on for several weeks, will see Raitums train with the team on Friday before making his debut at home to the Belfast Giants on Saturday.

Archer signs two-way deal

On Sunday night, the Excel Hull Stingrays announced that the team had come to terms with English Premier League side the Sheffield Scimitars to sign 21 year old British forward James Archer on a two-way contract.The contract, the first to be handed out by the team's second ever head coach Sylvain Cloutier, allows Archer to ice for the Rays if and when the Scimitars do not have a game.

The Rays have already benefited from the former GB U20's presence twice, not least on Sunday against the Nottingham Panthers, where Archer scored his first goal at Elite League level with a cool finish that ultimately proved crucial in helping the Rays to a 5-4 victory.

That goal added to the assist he recorded in his first game as a Stingray last weekend as the Rays claimed a point in a shootout loss to that very same Panthers side. However, he does have previous Elite League experience with the Coventry Blaze, where he iced in a total of 33 games, registering just one assists.

Without doubt his development as a player has been served almost exclusively in the EPL, where he has been a very effective player with stints in his hometown Sheffield, Peterborough, where he played much of his early career, and, last season, Milton Keynes allowing him to accumulate over 140 points in 200 plus games.

So far this season the British forward has netted 14 times in the EPL for the Scimitars adding nine assists in 23 games as the Sheffield based side sit in 5th place and he will provide depth and energy to Cloutier's side for the remainder of the season.

Cloutier, who played with Archer at Coventry, revealed that he will play for the Rays in this months games against Edinburgh, on Boxing Day, and Coventry on the December 30.

"I was with James in Coventry so I know what he is capable of. He didn't get a lot of ice time with Coventry and moved on. But we have signed him on a two-way contract and he will play for us in Edinburgh and against Coventry [on December 30]. I thought he worked hard against Nottingham and took his goal well. He certainly adds some energy to our play when he is on the ice."

Halkidis boosts Stingrays defensive corps

Sylvain Cloutier and the Excel Hull Stingrays have boosted their defensive ranks, following injury to Pavel Gomenyuk and major fitness doubts over James Hutchinson, with the signing of offensive defenceman George Halkidis.

The 27 year old started this season in the IHL with Port Huron, after sitting out last season to make a full recovery from a shoulder injury, but left the club before making an appearance.

The Ontario native, from the same town as fellow Rays defenceman Stephen Burns, has had previous point scoring success during three seasons in the Italian top flight and a 29 point haul from 43 CHL games in 06/07 and, although a risk, is seen as a marked improvement on what the Cloutier already has at his disposal.

In three season's in the Italian Serie A, split between HC Fassa, Ritten/Rennon and Alleghe, Halkidis scored 11 goals and 43 assists for 54 points from 104 games and gained a reputation as a solid defenceman that was capable of chipping offensively.

Prior to making his professional debut in 2003-04, with Peoria of the ECHL, the Canadian, who is part Greek, had a successful junior career.

The four junior years of his career saw him record nearly 100 points, and they came to a climax in 02/03, as he went all the way in the pinnacle of junior hockey in Canada.

The 6'1 blueliner added a goal and 15 assists in 21 playoff games as his Kitchenner Rangers side went all the way to become the Canadian Hockey League's Memorial Cup champions.

Although concerns may be raised over his fitness after a year out due to a shoulder injury, the Canadian has a certain pedigree that the Rays defence looked to lack in early pre-season. The three years spent in Europe indicate that he can handle the change in lifestyle and culture, while his career year in 06/07 in the CHL shows he can put up points and has the know-how to improve the team.

He should make his Stingrays debut this weekend in games against Coventry and Edinburgh, and Sylvain Cloutier is confident that he will have the ability to help the side get out of their current rough patch:

"He will definitely improve our back-end, he is a solid two-way defenceman and he will be able to jump into the play and be creative. I have been told he is just as good as [James] Sanford defensively and also is very strong so he will be a big plus for us

"He is an offensive defenceman and he is going to be a big help. He is going to bring some experience and leadership and some fresh blood into the room and from talking to him he believes in what we are trying to do here. He wants to come and help."

With so many injuries, the Stingrays may yet may more roster moves, although it is possible that those injuries begin to clear up somewhat. Jason Silverthorn may return next weekend, complete with a full face visor or cage, after he broke his jaw on debut last weekend, while Lee Mitchell is edging closer to a return to the ice following a longer than expected layoff for his knee injury.

It's curtains for Reynolds and Koulikov as Silverthorn signs

Sylvain Cloutier has today followed up on his promise to change things around if his side's fortunes failed to improve, with the signing of forward Jason Silverthorn and release of import Matt Reynolds and Russian-born-Brit Slava Koulikov.

Silverthorn, 30, had been signed to a contract in the ECHL with the Johnstown Chiefs, however, they released him last Friday after just a couple of appearances, conveniently allowing Cloutier to sign up the former Edinburgh and Cardiff forward after the Stingrays shocking start to the season, which has seen them win just two games and claim just five points in 11 matches.

After such an unexpectedly bad start to the season, something had to give, and Slava Koulikov and Matt Reynolds combined contribution of two goals and eight points in the club's opening 11 fixtures was deemed unacceptable by Sylvain Cloutier.

Koulikov, who was the only remaining original Stingray from the team's inaugural 03/04 season, was constantly linked with a departure, mainly due to his work ethic, or lack of, but after recording just three points so far this season, Cloutier has seen enough of the forward

The 31 year old did actually leave the club briefly in 07/08 for a fresh start under Steve Thornton, only to return 20 games later after Basingstoke's financial issues. Unfortunately for the Rays, he returned the same player, with an apparent lack of work ethic masking his potential to be a premium British forward, preferring instead to settle for mediocrity with his hometown Stingrays.

It will come as no surprise that his best figures goalscoring wise came in the inaugural season in 03/04, where he netted 18 times, and looked to have some fire under his belly, and in the same way his exit from the Hull Arena is also not surprising.

Following his departure, he sits behind just Jeff Glowa in the Stingrays all-time appearances chart, with 230 games under his belt, and, despite his drawbacks, he managed put up a creditable 67 goals and 119 assists in seven years with the club.

Meanwhile, Canadian forward Reynolds was also released by the determined Cloutier, after opening the season with just one goal, whilst showing none of the hard nosed grit that Cloutier expected of him in the summer.

After joining from a championship winning IHL side in Fort Wayne, Reynolds was a surprisingly big part of the team last season under Rick Strachan, recording career highs in goals (22), assists (33) and points (55) last year.

This season he has been devoid of any of the spark of last season and, although he opened the season with three points in four games, he followed that up with just one point in the next six games. For a team that is struggling to find any consistency, coach Cloutier released Reynolds and quickly replaced him with a proven forward.

Replacing him is Owen Sound, Ontario native Jason Silverthorn, who last season played forward for EIHL rivals the Cardiff Devils, scoring just under a point a game with 21 goals and 33 assists in 55 games.

Prior to last season, Silverthorn had previous EIHL campaign's with the Devils, where he scored 57 points in 54 games, and the Edinburgh Capitals, in 06/07, when he scoring 39 points in 35 games.

As a prolific point scorer in the Elite League, he should be a more than adequate replacement for Reynolds, who was failing to replicate his form of last season, and, although the move shows Cloutier's desire for the team to improve, if we're to be critical, the decision to bring in a forward that also looks out of form, after his release from the ECHL, looks doubtful.

Nevertheless, a club statement outlined the delight at the signing and the, hopeful, improvement of the side following recent moves:

“We are delighted to be bringing in a player of Jason’s calibre. He knows the league very well, he scores goals, he can play on defence if called upon and he is very good on the special teams. We believe the signing of Jason Silverthorn and that of James Sanford last week has made us a better and stronger team and hopefully we can look forward to more success on the ice.”

Silverthorn is scheduled to immediately step into the side, making his debut on Saturday against Coventry before returning for his home debut on Sunday against the Belfast Giants.

The release of Koulikov leaves the Stingrays with little flexibility should the team lose a player to injury. However, once Pavel Gomenyuk and Lee Mitchell return to full fitness, Matty Davies has already proven that he can easily hold down a regular shift in the Elite League and, although he may not have the size, he has the speed and skill to continue on the Rays third line.

*Cardiff photos courtesy Official Cardiff Devils website

Stingrays sign Sanford

Experienced 25 year old year defenceman James Sanford has signed for the Excel Hull Stingrays as a replacement for Ryan Jorde, who is expected to be out for over four weeks with a broken arm, in a shakeup of the current team, which has lost six consecutive games.

The Canadian, who has extensive experience in the AHL and ECHL, is a former junior international at U18 level and joins after originally signing to play for HYS Den Haag in the Dutch capital.

He was released by Den Haag prior to the seasons start after failing to live up to expectations as the team's highest paid player during pre-season, but that decision has played into the hands of Rays coach Sylvain Cloutier, who believes he has pulled off a coup to get his signature, the second year coach said, "he is going to be a number on or number two defenceman in this league".

After an very impressive junior career, in which he represented his country at the Junior World Championships in Slovakia and scored 55 goals and added 132 assists in 272 games in the QMJHL, he failed to get drafted into the NHL, primarily because of his apparently small 5'10 stature. Two years later, however, he was signed by the Montreal Canadians to a two-year, two-way contract.

Sandford scores for Moncton

The blueliner, who hails from Moncton, New Brunswick, failed to make an appearance in the NHL, but did go on to compete in 123 AHL games, scoring 51 points, and 102 ECHL games, adding 69 points.

It is this sort of experience that Cloutier believes the Stingrays require to shore up a, so far, frail defence that has conceded 45 goals in all competitions.

"I am really excited about this signing. If you play that many games in the AHL then you are a pretty decent hockey player. He has got all the tools. He is a defensive-minded defenceman but he is also strong offensively. He will improve our transition which is something we needed to do and will improve our powerplay as he moves the puck well."

Last season he split his time between Utah (ECHL), where he scored 18 points in 24 games, Chicago (AHL), where he was called up to appear in seven games, and the St Georges CRS Express (LNAH), where he offensively excelled scoring 15 points, including six goals, in 14 games.

He said, in an official press release, that he is excited to be joining the team, even if they are currently struggling to find any semblance of form.

"I am really looking forward to it....I cannot wait for the first game. I have been in touch with the coach and some of the players and I know they have been having a tough time with injuries and suspensions so I hope I can help them out and get the team going"

He went on to describe what sort of player he is:

"I am an offensive defenceman and powerplay specialist. I have made my living out of running powerplays. I feel I am good at reading the play and being in the right position. I just do all the little things right"

The signing leaves significant question marks over a number of the Stingrays current squad, particularly the defencemen that have allowed netminder Tommy Sandahl's goal to be breached so frequently.

They, particularly favourite to leave Pavel Gomenyuk and Stephen Burns, are now left fighting for their jobs ahead of Sanford's arrival next weekend and Jorde's return to action in around a month.

Stingrays finalise defence with Burns

Player-coach Sylvain Cloutier has completed the Excel Hull Stingrays defensive corps for his maiden Elite League season as coach with the signing of former Rio Grande Killer Bees defenceman Stephen Burns on a two-year deal.

The 24 year old, 6ft defenceman spent his rookie season, last term, with the Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League, recording two goals and six assists in 55 games whilst adding 94 penalty minutes.

Burns (right) v Laredo

He is highly regarded by former coaches in the CHL and NCAA, and although his stats suggest he will be a rock on the blueline, rather than a forward rushing offensive defenceman, Cloutier is adamant that he has the all around skills to be a highly effective defenceman in the Elite League.

"He is one of those guys who I got to see play last season in our 16 games against Rio Grande...He caught my eye because he competes every night and battles for his team-mates."

"I wanted him simply because he is my kind of player and he was always shutting down our top guys each time we played against him. Not only is he good defensively, he is also a great skater and will definitely put points up in the Elite league."

"He is young and hungry and wants to be here. He will be a great addition to our hockey club."

The Newmarket, Ontario native, who spent the early years of his junior career playing in his hometown, spent four years at Rocester Institute of Technology (RIT), combining his studies with playing hockey, and that is something that he will continue in Hull thanks to the Stingrays new link up with Doncaster Business School.

British Elite League teams have been using University link ups as bargaining tools against European clubs, who can offer more attractive exchange rates with the dollar, for a number of years now, however this is the first of such linkups for the Stingrays

Stingrays director Mike Pack spoke of the new affiliation:

"We're looking forward to developing our relationship with the business school in the future. It's a very progressive organisation and we hope our link-up will be very valuable in the years to come."

Burns joins returnee Pavel Gomenyuk, Brits Craig Mitchell and James Hutchinson, and Canadians, Adam Knight and Ryan Jorde, on the Stingrays blueline for the 09/10 EIHL season. Cloutier pronounced his happiness with the teams defensive unit, saying that they will be tough side to score against:

"With the defensive unit that we have put together, players will have to always pay a price to get to our net."

He now has one final signing, an import forward, to announce before rounding off his first off-season with news about the Stingrays pre-season training camp and fixtures, of which Cloutier has stated he wants as many as possible, in readiness for his first season in charge.

Koulikov rounds off British signings

Player-coach Sylvain Cloutier has signed forward Slava Koulikov for his seventh successive season in Excel Hull Stingrays colours and today vowed to help solve the Russian-born-Brits consistency issues which have plagued his time in Hull.

Koulikov, who is the only player to have played in every single Stingrays season since their inception in 03/04, has long been dogged by consistency problems, with questions marks over his work ethic and fitness often making the Russian one of the most debated topics amongst the teams fan base.

Last season was no different, as the 30 year old surprised critics with a string of impressive displays in the teams first couple of games, leaving many to question whether a corner had been turned in his career.

However, once again those injury demons returned and Koulikov sat out the best part of two months of the season with a shattered collarbone, eventually mustering up a respectable 30 points in cut-short 39 game season.

Koulikov (right) with fellow long-term Stingray Jeff Glowa

New coach Cloutier is adamant that he will not accept anything less than 100% from not only Koulikov, but also his squad:

"I will not tolerate laziness in a player who won't compete every night. I hope Slava shows all of us what he has to offer and proves the fans wrong because I see talent when I look at him."

With the average age of the teams British contingent just over 20, and with Koulikov the final of those British signings, his experience in hockey, with over 450 games under his belt, also made him a must sign in Cloutier's book.

"I have re-signed Slava because he has experience in the league and he is a British player that you could consider to be an import with his talent level, so I think it is a bonus really for our team to keep him in Hull," said Cloutier

His talent is not in doubt, with Koulikov nearing the top of the Stingrays all time charts in all categories during league play with 66 goals and 117 assists for 183 points in 219 games.

The 5'8, 170 lbs forward is happy to return to Hull, where he has spent ten years of his playing career and 17 years of his life after moving to East Yorkshire in 1993 when his father, Alexander, came to play for Humberside Seahawks.

"I am really pleased to be back. I had a few conversations with Clouts when he first took over and he told me about his intentions, the team he wanted to build and what he wanted to achieve.

"He is putting together a really good team with the calibre of players we have signed."

With Koulikov the final British signing, Cloutier is left looking for an import defenceman and forward to finalise his squad.

After rumoured defensive target Mike Beynon signed for Edinburgh, and with Matt Reynolds almost certain to re-join as the Rays as their final import forward, Cloutier is thought to be currently in the market for that final import defenceman, who the Hull Daily have confirmed will be new to the country.

Jorde joins Cloutier revolution

Tough stay-at-home defenceman Ryan Jorde today joined the Excel Hull Stingrays for their 09/10 Elite League campaign after a career in North America, where he played three years in the second tier American Hockey League (AHL) and four in the International Hockey League (IHL).

The 28 year old Kelowna, British Columbia native split last season between the IHL's Flint General's and Muskegon Lumberjacks, where he recorded a combined 23 points in 66 games, and steps in to provide the Stingrays with a defensive backbone, whilst also adding some much needed brawn alongside fellow blueliner Adam Knight.

New player-coach Sylvain Cloutier, who is now just three signings away from completing his first Elite League squad as head coach, believes that Jorde will play a big role both defensively and physically next season.

"Jorde is an experienced defenceman and has been around for a long time. He is a physical, stay-at-home defenceman, who can also put up some numbers. He is very strong defensively and that is something the team needed, to be stronger in our own end. Jorde will do a great job."

After starting his career in the junior Western Hockey League, where he played over 200 games, he was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the ninth round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, and in 2002 was signed to a two-way contract with the Sabres AHL affilate, the Rochester Americans.

He went on to spend three seasons in Rochester, icing in 124 games, recording just seven points whilst acting as the team's enforcer, fighting 22 times.

From there he iced briefly in the AHL, with Lowell and Grand Rapids, and ECHL, with Victoria Salmon Kings, before making the move to the IHL (formerly the UHL), where he made the decision to stay after being used as a key defenceman, rather than as an enforcer, where his minutes on the ice would often be limited

Jorde (right) playing for Fort Wayne in 2006

That decision saw him appear in the Turner Cup in 07/08, finishing second best to former Stingray forward, and rumoured returnee, Matt Reynolds in Fort Wayne, and also resulted in him last season posting career best figures in assists (21) and points (23), as he moved between Flint and Muskegon twice.

He is expected to provide the Stingrays with a solid defenceman in the mold of Stuart Kerr and Aaron Wilson, but with a better pedigree and more physicality.

Although perhaps a more revered fighter and enforcer than new utility man Adam Knight, it is expected that Jorde will be a lynch pin of the Rays defence with Knight marked as the teams primary enforcer. However, if required, Cloutier has suggested that he would not be afraid to use Jorde to intimidate and police.

The 6'3, 213lbs defenceman joins fellow imports Knight and Pavel Gomenyuk on the blueline, and with one more D man to come, the Stingrays look set to go with a four import, six strong defence.

Meanwhile Matt Reynolds looks set to be named the teams final import forward within the next two weeks.

Photos courtesy: ECHL.com and Stuart Bauer (Flint Journal)

U20 international Davies is coming home

The Excel Hull Stingrays today further strengthened their British corps for the 09/10 Elite League season with the signing of Great Britain U20 international and Hull born forward Matty Davies.

Davies left the Kingston Jets and his hometown, Hull, after former Stingrays coach Rick Strachan failed to sign the young prospect in 2006 and instead went searching for a regular slot in the second tier English Premier League.

There, he was signed by cellar dwellers Solihull Barons and he stood out in a tough final season for the team, recording 35 points in 43 games, before his first call up to the Great Britain junior setup with the U18's.

From Solihull the, then, 17 year old, moved to the Swindon Wildcats and in two seasons in Wiltshire he continued to show his worth as an up and coming British player, recording 72 points in 80 games whilst also marking his first appearances for the GB U20 side, scoring nine points in five junior World Championship Division Two games this year.

Last season he was drafted into a low strength Excel Hull Stingrays and made his debut for the club alongside Adam Elliot in a Knockout Cup match against the Manchester Phoenix, impressing most with his individual play.

It was that performance that has now seen coach Sylvain Cloutier sign up the 5'6 forward, following a conversation with co-owner Sue Pack,and he revealed that he is now relishing the return to Hull after a taste of the top flight last year.

"I am coming home! I had to move away to play at a higher level but now I am excited about coming back and I can’t wait to play for the Stingrays. When I got the call I was always going to say yes."

"When I played the one game last season, I knew I wanted to taste that again. It’s going to be a big challenge but that’s what I want."

Cloutier said that the Brits desire to ice for his hometown side was a large part of his decision to make the move, after Sue Pack had engaged in initial conversations with the former Kingston Jet.

"Matt wanted to be part of the Stingrays. He is a local player, which is always nice to have on our team . I expect him to bring a lot of energy every night and compete.

"He is a very young talented British player and I'm very happy to have him on board."

Davies, who has been described as a forward that works hard in both ends and has bundles of talent , joins Lee Mitchell, Lee Esders and Shaun Thompson as the Stingrays British forwards for next season.

But the signing marks the end for either Slava Koulikov or James Cooke, who are now doubtful to return to the Hull Arena under Cloutier.

With few places on the roster available, and with the Stingrays loaded with young, hungry British offensive talent, Sylvain Cloutier is unlikely to re-sign both of the forwards, who last season recorded 30 and 7 point seasons respectively.

Meanwhile Matt Reynolds future as a Stingray has been questioned with the Rays failure to announce his signing today.

The 29 year old Canadian has signed for an, as yet, unannounced Elite League club, and although the Stingrays seem frontrunners for his signature, Newcastle, Sheffield and Nottingham have all been mentioned in relation to a move.

Photo courtesy Swindon Wildcats

Jaszczyk returns for sophomore season

20 year old back up netminder Andrew Jaszczyk will return to the Excel Hull Stingrays for their 09/10 season after being signed by new coach Sylvain Cloutier following an encouraging rookie campaign in the EIHL.

The Rotherham born backstop recorded an 82% save percentage and 6.02 goals against average in 11 appearances last season after signing from English National League side the Kingston Jets, but despite statistical appearance his performances as a first year stopper were very encouraging, especially behind an, at times, leaky and fragile Stingrays defence.

Following a season under the guidance of Canadian starter Curtis Cruickshank, next season the young Brit will relieve for new number one Tommy Sandahl, and Jaszczyk is keen to learn from the young Swede, who will be experiencing his first year abroad.

"I am looking forward to working with Tommy and see how he plays. I want to improve every season and it will be good to look at a European style of hockey."

Like many of the teams previous signings, he was also keen express his excitement for the upcoming season with so many new and promising signings under the guidance of a new coach.

"I am excited at how the team is shaping up. The team is looking really strong and we have signed players with good backgrounds. I think we can challenge the top teams and be more consistent against them next season."

With imports having a firm grip on the Elite Leagues eight netminding positions, barring two exceptions in Lyle, in Cardiff, and Murphy, in Belfast, Jaszczyk will again be used sparingly in the top flight.

It is the time training against higher calibre players and a couple of appearances in relief for the starting Sandahl that can often set young British netminders in good stead for the a possible starting jobs in the future and that is something which Jaszczyk will be hoping to achieve.

His most notable appearances for the Rays last season came in helter skelter, high scoring games with Coventry and Basingstoke, both 8-6 losses. Although the team conceded eight goals on both occasions, he made plenty of decent saves with both sides playing at full capacity and, on the whole, made the game an entertaining spectacle.

Next season he will be hoping to continue his steep learning curve under experienced new head coach Sylvain Cloutier, who will undoubtedly help the progress of his career.

The Stingrays tally of returnees now stands at an unexpectedly high six, with many of the teams standout players from last season now re-signed.

The final two names that continue to linger with regards to a return to the Hull Arena are Slava Koulikov, who may well not return under the new regime, especially given his problematic work ethic, and Matt Reynolds, who has signed for an as yet unannounced team, thought to be Hull.

Photo's courtesy: Arthur Foster

Hutchinson bolsters Stingrays defence

The Excel Hull Stingrays today bolstered their defence with the signing of a British offensive defenceman in James Hutchinson, who becomes Sylvain Cloutier's fifth British signing of the off season.

The 25 year old has experience of the Elite League with spells in Nottingham, Manchester and Basingstoke as well as a season in France with Morzine-Avoriaz, whilst last season he led the English Premier League in defensive scoring with 10 goals and 48 assists as the Peterborough Phantoms did the treble.

A offensive defenceman that has recently come into his own in a three year spell in Peterborough, his reliability in all situations is what has seen him move a considerable amount in his career, from the Isle of Wight and Basingstoke to Dundee and Morzine in the French alps, next season he will play an important role in the Stingrays defence.

Last season's treble capped a three year stint in Peterborough where he finished with 143 points in 127 games and cemented himself as one of the top defenceman in the EPL. Now, after a host of offers, he will now attempt to crack the Elite League for a third, and most likely final time with the Stingrays.

Understandably, 5'11 Hutchinson is excited to be part of a new era in Hull, especially after ending his time in Peterborough on such a high, lifting the EPL Playoff Trophy in Coventry.

"I have had three of the best years of my career at Peterborough but I felt if ever there was a time to move on it was now. I can’t wait to get started. I am going to be part of a new set-up in Hull and Clouts [Sylvain Cloutier] is putting together a team which is going to be competing every night against the big teams in the league. It is going to be a challenge but if you didn't want a challenge then why bother playing? There are exciting times ahead in Hull."

Stingrays coach Cloutier, the man that is the catalyst of the buzz around the all new Stingrays, believes that Hutchinson will become an integral part of the team and is delighted with the signing of the defenceman, who chose the team over a number of other sides.

"I know a lot of teams were after him so I am extremely pleased he came to us. He was one of the better defencemen in the EPL so he is a great catch for our club. He will definitely be brimming with confidence at the start of the season.

"He is one of the players I really wanted from the start. The experience he has had in the Elite League will definitely help him. His first time around he didn't get much ice time but with us he will be given a chance to run one of our powerplay units therefore getting a lot of ice time which will showcase his offensive talent."

With 53 Elite League games under his belt, the North East native is no stranger to top level ice hockey but with the relatively inexperienced Craig Mitchell and Adam Knight as two of his three defensive partners thus far, he will be expected to bring a level of solidity to the Rays D alongside Pavel Gomenyuk.

Photos Courtesy: Peterborough Phantoms

Bison Brit Migrates North to Hull

21 year old British forward Shaun Thompson has signed for the Excel Hull Stingrays after his former side, the Basingstoke Bison, dropped down from the Elite League to the British second tier, the Engligh Premier League.

The former Great Britain junior international recorded 17 goals and 23 assists in a difficult year with the Hampshire club and comes in as the Stingrays fourth British signing this summer and third British forward.

In a Bison side that was troubled with an owner that went AWOL, and subsequent financial issues, for the second season running, Thompson was bumped up to the teams first line with GB international Greg Chambers and Canadian Brent Hughes, following the departure of a number of imports.

It became a bittersweet season for Thompson, who was moved up the lines to replace the MIA imports, only for the Bison to quickly transform from the infamous 'Bison Ten' of 07/08 into a team visibly nearing the end of their time in the topflight.

"It was a difficult scenario in Basingstoke last season but it gave me a chance to get a lot of ice time, play on the powerplay and penalty kill, something I never dreamt of getting so it worked in my favour. "

Despite a terrible seasons team wise, Thompson, who, prior to last season had only scored six goals and eight assists in four bit part seasons with Nottingham and Basingstoke, pushed himself forward as the teams top performer.

His work ethic and hussle provided the spark for a Bison side that all too often went out with a whimper and, as a former junior international with 21 points in 15 games for GB, that extra ice time and hardwork finally converted his potential into on-ice ability at professional level.

Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier, having added Lee Esders and Lee Mitchell to his British forward corps, believes that the addition of Thompson further strengthens the Rays options up front, and that his last year in Basingstoke will have brought him on as both a player and person.

"With what he went through in Basingstoke last season, with the uncertainty of the team, showed what kind of character he had by being able to stay focused on his job and produce. He had a great season scoring 17 goals at a top level. I believe he will improve on that number and therefore bring success to our team."

Meanwhile Thompson commented that he is excited to join the club, particularly with the aura of the Stingrays new coach, who was a big factor in him signing at the Hull Arena for the next year.

"There is already a good feeling about the Stingrays for next season and it is going to be exciting to be a part of it. Sylvain Cloutier has a massive reputation as a person and it rubs off on players and players want to play for him. It was nice to have a person of that stature call you and it was nice to feel wanted. "

Thompsons signing has now cast doubt over the future of Russian born Brit Slava Koulikov in Hull.

Should the Rays sign two more import forwards, then the signing of the 21 year old means that the team may require just one more British forward to complete their expected three line forward roster.

And although Koulikov is expected to re-signing in the coming weeks, with Hull born Matty Davies also in the picture, his re-signing may not be as cut and dried as it perhaps should be for a forward who recorded 30 points in 39 games last term.

Photos Courtesy: BRLD

Gomenyuk re-signs

Ukrainian defenceman Pavel Gomenyuk will return for his fifth season in Stingrays colours after being re-signed by new coach Sylvain Cloutier following a career year in the Elite League.

The 32 year old, who has split his four seasons with the Stingrays with two in Newcastle, recorded a career best 13 goals and 42 points in 56 games with the Stingrays last season and successfully bounced back from a difficult 06/07 season in Hull.

In a physically frail defence, with Troy Neumeier, Stuart Kerr and Paul Moran all sitting out significant portions of the season, along with the surprise early exit of Jonathan Bernier, Gomenyuk provided a solid, and most importantly, sustained presence on the blueline.

As his career year figures suggest, it was not only his defensive solidity that made him an important cog in the Stingrays Elite League machine last year. Offensive production from defence was something which the team seemed to lack from the outset, and his long searching passes and pinpoint slapshot from the blueline became a much need natural source of offence, whilst other defencemen battled for points.

After playing a key role with the team last season, coach Sylvain Cloutier said that he will continue playing an important role next season, both going forward and defensively.

"I am extremely excited to have signed Pash, he will be a key part of our defence. He is a very solid two-way defenceman, one that will help tremendously to our success this upcoming season."

With a Elite League Playoff medal in 2005, after beating, now coach, Cloutier's Coventry in the semi final, Gomenyuk's talents are proven at Elite League level, and with 173 games under his belt for the team, his new coach is confident that the Kiev native is hungry for success to strike in Hull.

"His experience is very important, he wants to be a part of our organisation, he wants us to succeed, therefore I feel he will compete every night and bring leadership on and off the ice. He is familiar with the Elite League which will definitely help the newcomers to our team. I am looking forward to coaching him as well as playing alongside him on the ice"

Gomenyuk (right) following Playoff Victory (Photo: Colin Lawson, bbc.co.uk)

Meanwhile the 5'11, 211lbs Eastern European agrees that after the team suffered yet another playoff failure, he is determined to make this season a successful one under a new coach.

"I am really happy to be staying with Hull for next season. It was disappointing last season but we have a new coach, a new team and it will be a new challenge for us all. We are going to have a really competitive side and hopefully we can finish above the bottom places in the league.

He now joins a new look defence consisting of Brit Craig Mitchell and tough Canadian Adam Knight and with, most likely, three further new signings, including two imports.

The balance between imports forwards and defence, and how to split the allowed ten imports, is a tough decision for all Elite League coaches. Too many import defencemen and you may struggle to hit the twine, but too many forwards and each result may resemble a rugby league scoreline more than a hockey one.

With two relatively inexperienced defencemen signed alongside Gomenyuk, it would seem that Cloutier will plump for two more import defencemen and just one more forward, making the Stingrays import quota one netminder, four defencemen and five forwards.

That one remaining import slot is rumoured to have been handed to 28 year old Canadian Matt Reynolds, who last season scored 55 points in 51 games for the Stingrays and thoroughly flourished prior to a broken hand, however power forward Adam Powell, who last season iced under Sylvain Cloutier in Corpus Christi, has also been mention as linking up with his former coach in a Stingrays forward role that is set to be announced in the next few weeks.

Photos Courtesy: Arthur Foster, Colin Lawson

Knight joins Stingrays ranks

Versatile tough guy, Adam Knight, has joined the Excel Hull Stingrays from the Central Hockey League (CHL) for the 09/10 season, and Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier believes that the 6'2 Alberta native will become a fan favourite in East Yorkshire.

The 27 year old, who will play defence for the Stingrays but is also an effective forward, joins after a rookie season split between the Colorado Eagles and New Mexico Scorpions, where he accumulated 153 penalty minutes along with two goals and two assists in 53 games.

Last season known for his toughness, as a junior playing in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) during the 00/01 season he developed a point scoring touch which will please Stingrays fans, as he recorded 39 points alongside an impressive 239 penalty minutes in 54 games.

He followed that up with an impressive 76 points, including 32 goals, in a four year, 79 game spell in college with South Alberta Institute of Technology. However, next season, Knight will be required to implement his versatility, playing on defence, as opposed to his preferred forward role, where he has played for the majority of his junior and senior career.

Knight (white) scoring for South Alberta Institute of Technology

Something that comes natural to the Canadian is the tough role of enforcer.

With 17 fighting majors last season alone, including fights with former EIHLer's Jason Goulet, Robin Gomez and, fan favourite in the UK, Dennis Maxwell, he is not afraid to drop the gloves, and that is one of the reasons why Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier has brought Knight to the EIHL for his first season outside of North America.

"I'm very pleased to have Adam as part of our club, he will bring a physical element to our defence. He plays the game hard and with honesty, the way it should be played. Adam won't have a problem sticking up for his team-mates."

And although toughness is one, albeit big, part of his game, Cloutier commented that, despite recording just four points in his first professional season, he will not follow in the footsteps of former Stingrays Simon Rizk and Jonathan Bernier in lacking playing abilities.

"Not only can he bring a physical element to the game, he is also a very good hockey player...He will be a big piece of the puzzle. Adam comes to play every night which is very important in my book. It won't take long for him to be a fans favourite."

Knight comes in the very same mould as former Stingray Cole Byers, who, although suffering from injuries in his two seasons spell at the Hull Arena, provided the team with toughness and 100% work ethic, whilst also chipping in with a few points.

Like Knight, Byers also played in the BCHL, scoring 15 points in 52 games, and was similarly capable in roles as a forward and defenceman, and should he become half as popular as the rugged forward, then he will have a successful first season in Europe.

With so little ice time in the CHL, the Elite League will allow Knight to ice more and develop his skills as a relied upon hockey player, and not just a policemen of other teams tough guys.

Although he is expected to ice as the Stingrays fourth, and least important offensively, defenceman, he will have to implement his tough style of play in the perhaps less familiar territory of defence.

Knight in action in the CHL

Elsewhere in Stingrays news, it was confirmed that, although talks had taken place, fellow tough guy Andre Payette will not be joining the Stingrays after intense speculation.

The 32 year old forward has touted his signature around the league with , so far, little success, after the Stingrays, Sheffield Steelers and Newcastle Vipers all passed on his signature. The Edinburgh Capitals are the final team, yet to have ruled themselves out of a move for Payette, although a return to Newcastle is not completely out of the picture.

Photos Courtesy: 37 Hockey, Les Stockton, Stephanie Alaina

Mitchell Brothers Join Forces At Stingrays

The Excel Hull Stingrays today announced the signing of brothers Lee and Craig Mitchell for the 09/10 season in the Elite League.

Forward Lee, 22, re-signs at the Stingrays after a career year, recording seven goals and 23 assists in his fourth season in Hull, meanwhile Craig, 18, last season iced in his rookie season in the Elite League for the Edinburgh Capitals, recorded one assist in 58 games from the blueline.

The brothers will ice together for the first in their careers, despite both progressing their talented young futures from their hometown in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, with the Fife Flyers.

The pair have both progressed through the junior ranks at national team level, with Craig achieving promotion with the U20's this year in the IIHF Division II Championships in Logrono, Spain, whilst Lee has been on the brink of the senior side for two years, this year being named as reserve for the Division I World Championships in Poland.

Lee has been a particular bright spot in the Stingrays three seasons in the Elite League, developing from a hard working forward into a play making top liner, capable of mixing it with the best the league has to offer. It will be hoped that, after an encouraging rookie season in the Elite League, where he racked up regular ice time and showed a consistent physical edge, Craig will follow in his brothers footsteps and achieve top line minutes and a try for a spot on the Great Britain roster.

Speaking of the double signing, Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier said that he hopes Lee will have a career year, not only by increasing his output, but by gaining that first Great Britain cap that has so far eluded him:

Lee will bring a physical element to the team as well as a lot of energy. He is also very strong defensively which I will be counting on this season. I will also count on his leadership on and off the ice. I expect Lee to have a breakthrough year this season and I do expect his first national team call-up will be around the corner if he works hard and stays determined.

Craig has been talked about as one of the Britain's better young defensive prospects and it is hoped that, with another year of regular Elite League action, this time under Cloutier, he will be pushing on for an appearance in Great Britain colours like his brother:

"Craig is a young defenceman who is coming into his own with a full year in the Elite League under his belt. I feel he has a lot of potential and will have a chance to prove himself with our club," said Cloutier.

"It's very important to have a strong British core. These two young players have a bright future in British hockey and they will be a big part of the national team one day."

Meanwhile Craig spoke expressed his excitement at the team that Cloutier is putting together in Hull, but also thanked former coach Doug Christiansen for the chance that he was given in the in Edinburgh, which has resulted into a move to Hull with brother Lee.

"Lee has told me a lot of good things about the club and after speaking to Sylvain Cloutier I am really excited about next season. He is putting together a really good team and I think we can challenge the big teams," said the young Scot.

"I want to thank [Edinburgh player-coach] Doug Christiansen for having confidence in me and giving me the chance to play last season. I saw a lot of ice time, more than I thought I would get, and I improved a lot because of that."

Craig will now have the opportunity to develop under the same roof that helped push forward blueliners Stevie Lee and Dave Phillips into slots on British junior and senior sides, as well as positions on top four teams in Nottingham and Belfast.

Craig becomes the first defenceman to sign for the team in front of new starting netminder Tommy Sandahl whilst Lee joins fellow Brit Lee Esders as the teams only signed British forward.

Recent rumour suggests that an American college defenceman may be joining the young Scot on the blueline for the 09/10 season, however one defenceman now not coming to the Stingrays, or the Elite League, is Canadian Mike Beynon, who is thought to have pulled out of a move to the UK according to his agents website.

Photos courtesy: fifeflyer.co.uk, FosterA@code.karoo.co.uk

Kalmikov is back for more

Standout Ukrainian forward, Konstantin Kalmikov, has been re-signed by coach Sylvain Cloutier for a second season in Excel Hull Stingrays colours after a superb first season at the Hull Arena.

The 30 year old from Kharkov, Ukraine, was signed to replace the enigmatic Jake Riddle in October last year and went on to become one of the most talented forwards to have played for the club, scoring 25 goals and 49 points in 48 appearances in the Elite League.

Having played against former Ukraine international Kalmikov earlier in his career, Cloutier was immediately interested in re-signing the tall, skillful winger:

"From playing against him in the AHL, I know how much of a competitor he is - he will not accept losing. He wants to have a successful season as much as I do," said Cloutier.

"He will be counted on as a leader on and off the ice."

Cloutier continued to speak about Kalmikov's immense talents:

"It was vital to retain his services. I feel he will be the key to our success next season. He is the most talented player in the Elite League and I am extremely happy to have him back."

A draft pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1996, Kalmikov began his stint with the Stingrays with four assists in two games against the Basingstoke Bison, as he immediately linked up perfectly with line mate Matt Reynolds and that form remained for much of the season.

His name consistently featured on the score sheet after that opening weekend and not for misdemeanors either, with the Ukrainian picking up just two penalties in his 48 games for the club.

It was his force as an attacking presence and pinpoint finisher that won him forward of the year at the fans voted end of season awards dinner and cemented him as a fan favourite, mainly for his split second, flashes of brilliance that would frequently change a game.

He is, without doubt, one of the most skillful players to have iced for the Rays, and his shot, as former coach Rick Strachan described it, is "NHL calibre".

The disappointment of failing to qualify for the playoffs was evident in Kalmikov's body language following the defeat to Cardiff and subsequent final day defeat to Edinburgh, but it is that disappointment that will drive him on for a successful 2009/2010 season and Cloutier is adamant that 09/10 will be one of the best seasons for the Stingrays.

"I think with the players we are all going to be surrounded by we will all have a great season together," said Cloutier.

Kalmikov will line up with Lee Esders and Jeff Glowa as, thus far, the only returnees from last seasons squad, although Lee Mitchell and backup netminder Andrew Jaszczyk are also now expected to on the list of re-signings for Sylvain Cloutier's first season as coach in the EIHL.

The Stingrays have now signed up four of an expected six import forward lineup, with Andre Payette and Adam Knight rumoured to have sealed deals for the final two spots.

Photos Courtesy: Arthur Foster (FosterA@code.karoo.co.uk)

Sandahl is shoo in for Hull

Sylvain Cloutier has today signed 24 year old Tommy Sandahl as the Excel Hull Stingrays number one netminder for the 2009/2010 season. The Swede will replace Curtis Cruickshank between the pipes and becomes the Stingrays fourth starting Elite League netminder in four seasons.

Soon to be 25, the Ljungby native will spend his first season out of his homeland after nine seasons spanning across the Junior EliteLeague, Allsvenska, Division 1 and Division 2.

Last season he returned to his hometown team, Troja-Ljungby in the Allsvenska, following a spell in with Gislaveds in the lower Division 1, and there he backed up former Nottingham Panthers netminder Petter Sandstrom, statistically outperforming the former ISL keeper albeit in fewer games.

After starting in ten games and also reliving for Sandstrom, Sandahl ended with a 90% save percentage and 2.92 goals against in 535 minutes of competitive play, and although these figures may not seem overly outstanding, the Allsvenska, Sweden's second tier, is thought to be a higher level than the Elite League.

Together they helped Troja-Ljungby surprise the league by ending the season in that seventh, and final playoff place, just outperforming former EliteSerien side Malmo Redhawks in the process, something that is hoped the Stingrays will achieve for the very first time with him between the pipes.

And coach Cloutier is very happy with the signing of the Swede, after requesting his brother, former NHLer, Dan Cloutier, find him the best possible netminder.

"He will do great here in the UK. He played at a high level in Sweden. The scouting report on him was good. He has quick feet, is very acrobatic, has a quick glove and more importantly he is a competitor. Tommy will be one of the better goalies in the league."

Meanwhile Sandahl expressed his excitement at playing overseas for the first time.

"I am very excited and looking forward to moving to a new country, a new culture and a different style of hockey. I wanted to look for a move outside Sweden and when I spoke to Sylvain Cloutier I felt comfortable. He seems to be a great person to lead the team and he told me he had full confidence in me being the starting goalie."

His signing spells the end for the wholly unpopular Curtis Cruickshank, who spent just one season in Hull recording a lowly 88.6 save percentage and a soaring 4.26 goals against average.

Obviously the Stingrays frail defence did nothing to ease his troubles, but it was more than Cruickshank's stats that bothered fans, it was his demeanor on the ice, positioning and erratic decision making that did not lead to a happy spell at the Hull Arena

Netminder is a position that the Stingrays have struggled to find continuity in. Miroslav Bielik was too injury prone, but Ladislav Kudrna and Cruickshank were too inconsistent, despite the odd jaw dropping save.

Sandahl revealed on the official Excel Hull Stingrays website what kind of netminder he is.

"Hull will be getting a stable goaltender who doesn’t give up too many rebounds. I play a safe game and am not a highlight goalie – I just keep things simple."

So with Sandahl filling the solid and stable, rather than the spectacular and unorthodox mold, he will hopefully bring about some stability in what is the most important position on any hockey team. And providing he is not injury prone, the Stingrays will hopefully see one of the more consistent keepers in their short history.

With Sandahl signed, and Andrew Jaszcyzk set to sign as his backup, the next aspect of the team that looks set to be covered is defence and as well as an element that is likely to feature heavily in this years team, toughness.

Andre Payette, Mike Beynon and Brit Craig Mitchell are amongst the names that have allegedly already signed for the club, as Sylvain Cloutier continues to build for a two season shot at the Elite League.

Sandahl's promotion video (courtesy 37 Hockey)

Huppe re-joins Cloutier at Stingrays

31 year old Canadian forward Curtis Huppe has once again joined up with friend and former team mate Sylvain Cloutier, by signing a two year contract as player-assistant coach with the Excel Hull Stingrays.

6'1 Huppe is no stranger to the Elite League having spent three seasons in Belfast and a season in Coventry with Cloutier, winning the EIHL title in both cities, whilst racking up an outstanding 104 goals and 116 assists in 177 games.

Last season, Huppe came out of a very brief retirement to sign for Cloutier in Corpus Christi of the Central Hockey League, scoring 14 points in a short 28 game stint for the club, however once Cloutier was released, Huppe quickly followed after a disappointing season.

This signing is a statement of intent from the Stingrays management that they will not only do their best to sign one of their best ever teams, but that they are building the club for a crucial two year push for success with both Huppe and Cloutier contracted for two years.

Known as one of the best snipers to play in the Elite League, with more than a goal every other game and at least a point a game in the EIHL, Huppe developed his defensive game under Coventry coach Paul Thompson after gaining a reputation as a one dimensional forward.

Next season Huppe will be expected to hit the back of the net, and often, as he will rack up huge minutes on the Rays first line, as well as time on the powerplay and penalty kill.

Stingrays co-owner, Sue Pack, had this to say about the signing of the Winnipeg, Manitoba native:

"Curtis will bring seniority and leadership to the Stingrays. He's a points scorer and a skilled guy. He has played alongside Sylvain before. They have a good working relationship and he is very excited to be coming over to Hull and being part of something new for him."

The new era under new player-coach Cloutier is beginning to generate an element of excitement amongst not only fans, but also players.

Cloutier's vast experience in North America and reputation as an honest, hardworking player seems to be translating well into his recruitment of players and he indicated that his friendship with Huppe was key to the coup.

"We have a very good working relationship and we get along really well .There is a lot of trust and respect between us, two parts that should be there when you work together. Curtis is a very well-rounded hockey player and one I can count on every night."

"Curtis is a huge component to our team, he brings a lot of respect to the Hull Stingrays organisation. He is a proven winner and he knows what it takes to succeed."

It would seem that the Stingrays next move will be to sign tough guy Andre Payette from the Newcastle Vipers after strong rumours suggest that the 33 year old forward has agreed terms, meanwhile Tommy Sandahl looks set to sign as the teams number one netminder.

Photos courtesy Kingdom of the Giants and Coventry Telegraph