Stingrays running low on Brits as Watkins makes it three Stars

19 year old forward Jack Watkins has this evening become the latest Brit to leave the Hull Stingrays this summer, joining fellow departees Sam McCluskey and Tristan Harper in signing for the Stingrays Elite Ice Hockey League Northern Conference rivals the Dundee Stars.

The Great Britain junior international joined the Stingrays from the English Premier League's Telford Tigers last summer for what was his first regular shift in the EIHL after a 32 game, pointless stint with Coventry in 09/10.

Forming part of the Rays third line, he a netted a creditable three goals and five assists in 50 games, impressively remaining disciplined throughout, sitting out just six minutes in penalty minutes.

An up and coming Brit, Watkins understandably struggled to make massive inroads at top flight level in just his second season in the EIHL on a third line sparingly used in crucial situations. Nevertheless, he visibly improved in both confidence and performance throughout the year despite that perceived lack of regular opportunity on an inexperienced and somewhat unbalanced line alongside the injured Harper, mid-season signing Andy McKinney, defenceman-turned-forward Dan Scott and rookie teenager Bobby Chamberlain.

He joins Jeff Hutchins' Dundee Stars just under a week after former teammates McCluskey and Harper confirmed they were returning to their hometown club for 12/13 in doing so becoming the second and third Brits to leave the club this summer.

Having already completed the signing of the former Stingrays pair as well as that of fellow Brits Vince Connon, Ross McIntosh and Mark McGill, Hutchins was delighted to capture another young Brit:

"I am excited to have secured Jack's signature. He's an up-and-coming British player that is looking to have a break out year. At the age of 19 he has nearly 100 games of Elite League experience under his belt and I will be looking for him to step up his game this year and become a regular contributor on the score sheet."

While the Stars have already signed up six of an always crucial Brit pack, the Stingrays on the other hand have added just Ben Bowns and Chris Sykes to their lineup, partially due to a change in tact from owner Bobby McEwan and coach Sylvain Cloutier

It was confirmed at the recent Stingrays fans forum that - in order to remain within budget and allow room to sign 11 good quality imports - the club would be focusing primarily on local British players for the upcoming season.

This decision will allow the club to reduce housing costs and focus a larger percentage of the budget on import players and their wages and accommodation.

As a result, in addition to the four Brits already confirmed as leaving Hull, the aforementioned McKinney - a non-local to Hull - looks set to re-join the second tier EPL next season with either Manchester or Sheffield.

Even before the possible, rumoured departures of Bobby Chamberlain and Matty Davies to North America and the EPL respectively, Cloutier will need to sign three British players to replace those departed - and that itself is factoring in the addition of the 11th import.

As local players Chamberlain and Davies remain high on the agenda and have both been approached by Cloutier, however, as of now, they remained unsigned.

While in ice hockey terms the summer remains young, the number of British players available from last season's Elite League appears slim. The only notable and possibly realistic names available being Lee and Craig Mitchell - who may yet return to Fife but could be tempted to return to Hull following the departure of the former ownership - and Andrew Hirst and Craig Elliott, who have both previously iced for the Rays and who both stepped in on two-way deals with the Edinburgh Capitals last term.

Hull Stingrays 11/12 Season Review: Up Front

Forwards

#37 Derek Campbell

58GP 12+43 264PIM (3GP 5+2 6PIM)

Grade: B

Dismissed the large majority of doubters during his first, and likely only year in Hull, impressing in dual enforcer/offensive role thanks to combination of physicality, strength, willingness to drop the gloves, creativity, stickhandling and playmaking abilities. Crafted a brilliant partnership with Jason Silverthorn, Campbell played a massive part in getting the Rays to their first ever EIHL Playoff Semi-Final - scoring four goals in the Quarter Final including a hat-trick in the second leg. Despite this, it seems unlikely Campbell will re-sign for a second season following his admission that he has yet to hear from Cloutier regarding a return - it is believed he has offers from both EIHL and EPL sides, including the Sheffield Steeldogs.

#90 Bobby Chamberlain

58GP 1+3 93PIM (1GP 0+0 0PIM)

Grade: C+

The emergence of 16 year old Chamberlain was one of the big positives to the 11/12 campaign as he established himself as a huge prospcet for the future. Capped as a GB U18 international, enthusiasm - while very well intended - got the better of the youngster at times in the early part of the year, however, while it will likely always be a huge part of how he plays the game, he rebounded in the second half - despite limited ice-time - to show a new maturity, which was capped off with a well deserved first professional goal against the Nottingham Panthers. It seems likely Chamberlain will return for at least one more year in his hometown before following in the footsteps of other previous Hull prospects Stevie Lee and David and Kevin Phillips, in moving elsewhere - possibly the EPL for more ice-time - and in order to further his hockey career.

#83 Sylvain Cloutier

55GP 11+21 (91PIM)

Grade: C

Remarkably icing in his 17th professional season, player-coach Cloutier hit a Stingrays personal high of 11 goals this season - up from 7 in 09/10 and 9 in 10/11 - though his points production diminished to from 44 last season to 32 this. While his figures aren't quite where they used to be, he continues to play a role in the Elite League - even if that role should be on the third line with the team probably over reliant on his abilities as a second liner at 38. A return for a fourth consecutive season looks all but certain with just official confirmation to follow.

#62 Matty Davies

51GP 5+12 33PIM (3GP 1+0 0PIM)

Grade: C

Diminutive forward Davies re-signed to the Stingrays to play a top two line role having sensationally quit the club mid-game in 10/11. Starting the year in good form, he failed to have the desired impact on the Elite League as the season progressed in a disappointing year, he then suffered a season changing concussion on a hit from Dundee's Jeff Hutchins. A switch back to the EPL - possibly to Slough where former Stingray Slava Koulikov is head coach - has been rumoured, however, a return to Hull for a second chance at second line EIHL play also isn't completely out of the question.

#26 Tristan Harper

40GP 0+5 43PIM (N/A)

Grade: C-

Harper, even by his own admission, will be disappointed with his season in Hull having signed with great hopes from Dundee - where he scored 16 points in 38 games during 10/11. The only full-time Stingray not to hit the twine in 11/12, his year was ruined by injuries, particularly a shoulder injury which saw him require a brace before surgery eventually ended his season prematurely. Harper has unfinished business and a point to prove in Hull after a poor season, however, whether he will be asked to return by Cloutier or whether he would want to return should a move back to his hometown of Dundee come to fruition, remains to be seen.

#12 Andy McKinney

42GP 4+5 107PIM (3GP 0+0 2PIM)

Grade: C+

A fiesty, agitating British forward, McKinney joined part-way through the year from the EPL and was generally a solid third line presence in his first taste of top flight hockey. The 21 year old provided a spark to the Stingrays lineup, however, he was generally the first person to suffer when the lineup shortened. That said, he was always deservedly the first choice to step up from the third line to second line when required. McKinney has allegedly accepted an offer from an unknown team for 12/13 and, although the Stingrays were believed to want to re-sign the Brit, he may be set to make a quick return to the EPL with a top five side.

#9 Dominic Osman

61GP 26+16 77PIM (3GP 1+1 4PIM)

Grade: B-

Osman - signed in the summer to provide secondary scoring - initially showed only glimpses of what he could do early on and so was an early candidate for release after early season struggles. Luckily, those brief glimpses were enough to see that he remained and Frantisek Bakrlik was released, which in the end proved to be a good decision on Cloutier's part, as Osman - an everpresent for the Stingrays - eventually provided the speed and scoring edge he was brought in for. A fan favourite in Hull for his direct, powerful style, Osman would be a welcome returnee though it is uncertain as to whether he will be offered a return deal.

#21 Jason Silverthorn

59GP 30+44 60PIM (3GP 2+1 6PIM)

Grade: A

Alternate captain Silverthorn shifted his performance level and scoring consistency up a notch this season, producing a career best 30 goals, 44 assists and 74 points - good for 10th in EIHL pointscoring. A constant threat alongside linemate Campbell, Silverthorn used his maturity, professionalism and experience to lead the Stingrays from the front all season long. Cloutier has made no secret of his admiration of Silverthorn and, should the player-coach be confirmed for a fourth season, 'Silver' would surely be top of his list of players to re-sign even if other EIHL sides are circling.

#27 Jereme Tendler

53GP 36+25 10PIM (3GP 0+4 2PIM)

Grade: B

10/11 50 goal scorer Tendler was always going to struggle to hit the half-century again, however, he had another good year - despite missing eight games having tested positive for a banned substance in late December. Notching 36 goals to take his EIHL tally to 82 goals in 105 games, the 28 year old solidified his place as one of the Stingrays most dangerous and constant goalscoring threats. Given his scoring exploits, Tendler will surely be contacted regarding a return for a third year, however, he is another that will certainly have been approached by other sides - EIHL, European and North American.

#93 Jack Watkins

50GP 3+8 6PIM (3GP 0+0 0PIM)

Grade: C-

GB U20 international forward Watkins showed visible signs of development and improvement throughout his first season in Hull, registering his first EIHL goal and assist before eventually hitting eight points in 50 games. Another that understandably saw reduced ice-time in certain situations, the 19 year old's size was a big advantage to a third line, and team, that generally lacked it. Another year under the tutelage of Cloutier is not out of the question, while a return to the EPL for added responsibility and ice-time is another distinct possibility.

MIA: #55 Frantisek Bakrlik (D - Unstoppable pre-season, disappeared regular season)
Also dressed: Craig Thurston, Sam Towner, Andy Ward, Ryan Lake

Cloutier bolsters Brit pack with GB junior international

18 year old prospect Jack Watkins has become the Excel Hull Stingrays fourth new British addition of the 2011 off-season, joining Sylvain Cloutier's side from English Premier League club Telford Tigers.

Durham born Watkins becomes the second player to switch the Shropshire second-tier club for East Yorkshire, following the earlier addition of Daniel Scott, after recording four goals and eight points in 48 games in his rookie year in the EPL spent under coach and brother Tom Watkins.

Having made his senior debut at the age of 15 with the English National League's Whitley Warriors, recording three goals and two assists in seven games, Watkins moved south the following year, joining brother Tom for what would turn out to be his final season with the the Coventry Blaze.

He spent the majority of his time at the Skydome icing for the Blazes' ENL farm team - recording a further five goals and eight assists in 24 games - however, he also went on to make his bow at top flight level, playing a bit-part in 32 games as the Blaze went on to lift the Elite League title.

Last season, having made his debut for Great Britain at the U18 Division I World Championships the previous year, the North East native joined brother Tom in Telford for their first year back in the second tier and he played what was primarily a third-line role in 48 games in the EPL as the Tigers finished ninth just outside the playoffs. He also made three Elite League appearances on a two-way deal with Coventry, coincidentally icing at the Hull Arena in their 7-2 defeat of the Stingrays in March.

Although the teenager recorded just eight points in nearly 50 games last season, he earned rave reviews playing a role on the Tigers lower lines in his first year in the EPL and he is thought to have a bright future in the game.

Clearly highly-rated by both GB and Coventry coach Paul Thompson, who twice signed him for the Blaze, and Stingrays player-coach Cloutier, who last watched him put in a convincing performance in England's 10-0 victory over Scotland at the Elite League finals weekend in April, the 6'1, 185lbs forward now comes to Hull for his first full season in the British top flight.

Of his fourth new British signing Cloutier said:

"Jack's a big, strong kid and has a lot of potential. He's a fresh face and wants to prove himself at Elite League level. You have to have guys who are hungry and are excited about playing in Hull. Jack wants to play regular hockey and he know he is going to get that here. It is up to him to take advantage of that. He skates well and has good upside and I am looking forward to working with him and helping develop his game. Hopefully he can be a part of the programme at Stingrays for many years to come."

The young prospect, who last season won a bronze medal with GB U20's and was also once again capped by GB U18's, adds energy and depth to a Stingrays line-up that has lost British forward Lee Mitchell this summer and may yet lose further homegrown players.

Regular minutes for Watkins look to have been guaranteed by the Rays player-coach Cloutier with a forward role similar to the one that has previously done wonders for the development of Mitchell, Lee Esders and Matty Davies, amongst others.

This is clearly not an immediate impact signing for the Rays but rather one for the future, again much like Mitchell was in 05/06, with the addition seen as a direct result of the decrease in import numbers in the Elite League next season.

However, with Andy Hirst returning to Sheffield, Dundee duo McCluskey and Cameron-Harper replacing the departing Mitchell brothers, and Watkins and former Telford teammate Scott in as a result of the rule change, the future make up of the rest of the Rays British contingent is unknown with Lee Esders and Ryan Lake yet to re-sign for the upcoming campaign

The Hull Daily Mail initially reported the pair had re-signed with their hometown club after agent, Aspire Sports Group, mistakenly had them down as returning to Cloutier's side on its website. However, that was quickly rejected by both the agent and Lake and Esders, and both now remain unsigned for the next year with speculation suggesting Esders is likely to depart for Braehead.