CONFIRMED: Hutchinson returns to Peterborough

As speculated just a couple of hours ago 26 year old British defenceman James Hutchinson has agreed to return to his former side the Peterborough Phantoms of the English Premier League under new coach and former Excel Hull Stingrays netminder Curtis Cruickshank after a difficult 09/10 season in Hull in which he recorded just four points.

Departures continue

 

Following the surprise departure of player-assistant coach Curtis Huppe last month comes the somewhat less surprising confirmation that tough guy Adam Knight and British defenceman James Hutchinson have both played their final games for the Excel Hull Stingrays.

The pair, both expected to leave the Hull Arena this summer after just a season with the club, have been confirmed by their respective agents as returning to the leagues they joined the Stingrays from last summer.

In his sophomore season in Hull Knight hit professional career best figures, scoring seven times, adding 13 assists and 131 penalty minutes while emerging as a true fans favourite, particularly following tussles with the likes of Sean McMorrow and Brad Voth.

However, the 29 year old, who is not thought to have been offered a deal to return to Hull, will rejoin the CHL where he joined the Stingrays from last summer and where he is likely to be relied on more for his on-ice presence than the offensive numbers which coach Sylvain Cloutier and the EIHL on the whole require from non-British players. He will return to the CHL with an, as yet, unnamed team, where last time out he recorded two goals and two assists in over 50 games with Colorado and New Mexico, following a season in Hull in which he likely doubled his time on the ice during each game and improved as a player as a result.

Meanwhile, Hutchinson will return to the English Premier League (EPL) after a wholly disappointing spell at the Hull Arena. Big things were expected of 'Hutch' after he played a massive part in Peterborough's EPL championship winning side of 08/09, in which he contributed a huge 58 points in 54 games from the blueline, however, for whatever reason, be it the higher standard of competition or the Stingrays struggles, he neither troubled the scorers nor provided Cloutier with the defensive solidity required and like Knight, he was an unlikely returnee.

The favoured destination for the 26 year old North East native seems to be a return to Peterborough in an attempt to reignite the success of 08/09 under former Stingrays netminder Curtis Cruickshank, who has recently been named head coach of the Cambridgeshire based side.

While the Stingrays off-season news has so far been confined to the assumed return of coach Cloutier and Stephen Burns for the second year of their two year contracts, unlike messr Huppe, the rumoured re-signing of the better part of last seasons squad including Lee Mitchell, Craig Mitchell and Konstantin Kalmikov will likely come within the next week or two as Cloutier looks to build a squad capable of challenging and, at least, making the playoffs come April 2011.

Hull Stingrays 2009-2010 Season Review: At The Back

Netminders

Martins Raitums (23GP 3.68GAA 90.1SV.%)

Grade: B

Return: Yes

Signing the Latvian stopper was probably one of Sylvain Cloutier's best decisions all year as his signature turned the Rays fortunes on their head. In contrast to Tommy Sandahl, whom he replaced, he was solid and confident between the pipes, even behind the Rays creaky defence, and he was also assured when playing the puck. He signalled his quality in his debut at the Hull Arena when a magnificent double save and a couple of very good glove saves immediately endeared him to home fans and, one or two unfortunate goals aside, set him up for an impressive first season away from Eastern Europe. As you would imagine from a netminder that once faced Canada at the World Championships, Raitums handled Elite League hockey well and he would be a solid and stable re-signing, who, based on form, should return. Nevertheless, although he is indeed a good bet to return, Cloutier may still explore his options.

Andy Jaszczyk (6GP 4.24GAA 87.7SV.%)

Grade: C-

Return: Yes

This time last year it was stated that back-up netminder was probably the most unfair in British ice hockey. Well for the Jaszczyk, who last year iced in 13 games, his job just got a whole bit hard because, despite Tommy Sandahl's early struggles in net, his ice time was cut in half this year under Sylvain Cloutier. Nevertheless, he has improved his save percentage to something a bit more respectable and, even without a significant ice time, he appears to be progressing between the pipes. Another year or two as back-up with the Stingrays should see him improve even more ahead of the eventual standard move to the EPL, however, moving too soon, as former backup Tom Chamberlain did, could be a mistake.

Defencemen

Craig Mitchell (58GP 1+9 44PIM)

Grade: C+

Return: Yes

The younger of the Mitchell's was probably the Stingrays most consistent defenceman in his sophomore season in the Elite League. Like the rest of the Rays defensive corps, he was not without the odd hiccup, however, his were fewer and less obvious than the rest and, in general he provided the team with a steady but reliable defenceman that would be exactly where you expected and needed him. His return should be un-questioned and it is expected that Cloutier will re-sign the Scot, however, an offer from Scotland, particularly new side Braehead, could prove inviting.

James Hutchinson (47GP 1+4 44PIM)

Grade: D

Return: No

A lot was, perhaps unfairly, expected of the defenceman after a treble winning season in the EPL last season in which he recorded a massive 58 points in 54 games. Fast forward 51 games and he ended his first season as a Stingray with a poultry goal and 4 assists in the British top flight. While his offensive production was disappointing, his lack of strength in other areas was what caused most concern, with his positioning, on occasion, skating and slapshot from the blueline most concerning. The effort and desire was certainly evident from the 26 year old and he did fill a gap on the roster without being totally and completely outclassed in the Elite League, however, it would not be unexpected if Cloutier to looked elsewhere this summer.

Pavel Gomenyuk (47GP 5+25 97PIM)

Grade: C-

Return: No

After a brilliant return to form last season, Gomenuk continued the trend of one good season, one bad season in Rays colours by failing to live up to last season's standards. In reality, netting 13 goals was always going to be difficult but that is perhaps what Cloutier expected from the stocky Ukrainian and he certainly didn't expect the volume of mistakes that materialised towards the end of the season, including a particularly embarrassing slip against former side Newcastle which handed the Vipers a goal. It is that number of mistakes, his lack of goals, especially with the potential of his menacing slapshot from the blueline, and his lack of pace when getting back defensively that place question marks over his return. It could prove to be one season too many for 'Pasha'.

Stephen Burns (59GP 4+10 105PIM)

Grade: C+

Return: Yes

The big hitting Ontario native entertained and impressed defensively in his first season as a Stingray and just his second year as a professional. While the majority of his game is focused on defensive positioning and solidity, towards the back end of the season he grew in confidence, rushing the puck forward more often and, in the end, he finished the season with four goals, just one less than the notably more offensive Pavel Gomenyuk. On a two-year contract tied in with a university place, Burns will stay in the city this summer and next year looking to build on a good season after this year being voted defenceman of the year and becoming a fan favourite for his fearless big hits and willingness to fight anyone, including Brad Voth.

George Halkidis (50GP 7+15 36PIM)

Grade: D

Return: No

After a year out of the game, Halkidis joined the Stingrays and initially proved to be a reliable defenceman, devoid of any flashy brilliance but able to do a job following a number of injuries. As the team returned to full strength, however, he was relied on more for his experience as an all around defenceman and he mostly struggled, particularly with his positioning and speed of foot when retreating from the offensive zone. His scoring streak towards the end of the season suggested he had begun to adapt his play, at least offensively, but defensive errors, and costly ones at that, as well as a distinct lack of physicality and an ineffective slapshot, maybe as a result of his shoulder injury two seasons ago, will most likely find him seeking another club come summer time.

Aivars Gaisins (2GP 0+0 2PIM)

Grade: N/A

Return: No

The Latvian defenceman saw just two games with the Stingrays before breaking his hand in his second game in Belfast. A friend of netminder Raitums, he initially trained with the Stingrays before being signed following a defensive injury crisis in late January. He would provide the Stingrays with good cover, available immediately should injuries strike, however, he is unlikely to be signed to anything other than a temporary contract next season especially given the Rays short comings in defence.

MIA

Tommy Sandahl (40GP 4.23GAA 89.4sv.%)

Grade: D

Return: No

The stats say it all, with just eight wins in four and a half months, Sandahl's stab at his first number one role came a year or two early for the 25 year old. The early signs were there, with rebound after rebound being given in the P&O Channel Cup, it was, in fact, a surprise that Cloutier took so long to replace the Swede. A likeable character, mistakes, a lack of confidence, both in himself and the defence in front of him, and a lack of experience saw to the end of the keeper.

Ryan Jorde (4GP 0+0 6PIM)

Grade: E

Return: No

The lumbering Canadian defenceman showed on his return to the Hull Arena with Newcastle how lucky the Rays were to be handed the excuse of a much publicised off-ice incident to get rid of him after just four games. Slow, poor positionally, with no offensive upside, the only advantage of having Jorde in the team was that he could scrap, not that he did much in Stingrays colours after opening the season with a fight against Nottingham's Dominic D'Armour.

James Sanford (18GP 2+8 47PIM)

Grade: D

Return: No

Sanford did mostly what was expected of him in that, unlike fellow blueliner George Halkidis, he possessed a good outlet pass and could play quarterback on the teams powerplay. Similar in both stature and playing style to Pavel Gomeyuk, defensively he was outplayed by the Ukrainian and his occasional offensive flash could not make up for his obvious lack of pace, particularly when so much of his game is based in the offensive zone.

All Star Stingrays set for Import v Brit showdown

The Excel Hull Stingrays will tonight have five representatives in the Elite League's annual All Star game, this season set to take place at Ice Sheffield, with a British All Star side, coached by the Sheffield Steelers Dave Matsos, taking on an Overseas All Star lineup, coached by Corey Neilson of the Nottingham Panthers.

The Rays will have tough guy Adam Knight and Ukrainian forward Konstantin Kalmikov representing the Overseas All Stars, while Lee Esders, Lee Mitchell and late call up James Hutchinson will represent the British All Stars.

Enforcer Knight, who can play both defence and forward, was voted by fans into the Overseas All Star lineup despite notching just four goals and nine assists in 33 games this season, however, the Canadian has become a fan favourite at the Hull Arena this season for his activities with his fists. Perhaps controversially, he will line up tonight alongside fellow tough guy Sean McMorrow, with whom he has several notable bouts this year.

Kalmikov, who last season netted 25 goals in 48 games and has 22 goals in just 39 games so far this term, has once again has become a pivotal part of the Stingrays success and will wear an alternate captain 'A' during the All Star game.

Esders, who has recently come into form to take his tally to six goals and three assists in 11 games following a career year in which he accumulated 11 goals and 10 assists, was surprisingly selected to the British All Star side by the fans after a slow start to the year.

He is joined by James Hutchinson after the withdrawal of Cardiff's Jason Stone due to injury and, although he has failed to hit the heights of his numbers in a championship winning season in the EPL last year, he has become a reliable and solid defenceman on the Rays blueline.

After suffering from a knee injury at the beginning of the season, 22 year old Mitchell, who will be appearing in his second EIHL All Star game, has begun to come good for Sylvain Cloutier's side, netting an impressive eight goals and nine assists in 22 games after a career year under Rick Strachan last term in which he scored nine goals and 25 assists for 34 points in 46 games.

Last season saw the Elite League split into North and South for the purpose of the All Star game, with Mitchell, Jeff Glowa, Steve Slonina, Slava Koulikov and Curtis Cruikshank of Stingrays ending up on the victorious Southern All Star side by a score of 12-10, with Glowa grabbing himself a goal.

Another injury for the helpless Stingrays

With Lee Mitchell, Pavel Gomenyuk and Jason Silverthorn already sitting on the sidelines with injuries, it has today been confirmed that British defenceman James Hutchinson will be out for four weeks with a broken hand, taking the Stingrays casualty list to four.

The 25 year old defenceman, signed in the summer from EPL side Peterborough, has had a solid, if unspectacular, start to the season, recording just two assists in 15 games, but his injury will put yet more strain on a creaking Stingrays side that is bereft of any kind of form.

Minus Gomenyuk and Hutchinson, the Rays blue line lacks strength and solidity, and although George Halkidis has been drafted in to give the team a bit more backbone in front of Tommy Sandahl, it will surely take a week or so for the Canadian to get used to Elite hockey after a year out of the game.

Injury wise, it isn't that much better upfront. Although Lee Mitchell, could conceivably return this weekend, and Jason Silverthorn, could return with a full faced visor next weekend, Jeff Glowa continues to feel the after effects of an early season hit from Cardiff's Tylor Michel, while coach Cloutier and Konstantin Kalmikov are both playing through niggling injuries.

Perhaps the only benefit of such an injury curse is that Cloutier is able to use injuries as a smokescreen to bring in new imports, that, casualties aside, could help the Stingrays turn their form around.

With Gomenyuk out for at least another four weeks, the Rays coach has plenty of time to consider his roster before yet more re-shuffles, although, eventually, financial constraints will surely limit his chances to change the side.

Cloutier spoke of his disbelief at the number of injuries sustained so far this term:

"It’s been non-stop, every week there seems to be something. In 15 years of pro hockey I have never seen it this bad. It is very frustrating but we just have to battle through it."

Stingrays injury curse continues

The Excel Hull Stingrays injury curse, which has plagued the team since their arrival in the Elite League four years ago, has continued

Following the news that Ukrainian defenceman Pavel Gomenyuk will sit out the next five weeks, comes the news that the curse has struck again with forward Jason Silverthorn ruled out after breaking his jaw in his debut last night against Coventry

While the Rays were without just Gomenyuk and Lee Mitchell last night, James Hutchinson, Konstantin Kalmikov and player-coach Sylvain Cloutier shook off niggles to play.

The latest injury to Silverthorn, which has kept him out of tonight's game at home to Belfast after he recorded a goal and an assist in his debut last night, comes a week before the expected re-arrival of Lee Mitchell, who has missed the beginning of the season after a knee injury in the summer.

Cloutier has so far been very open to the idea of changing the team up and bringing in players during injury layoffs, as was seen when James Sanford was brought in during Ryan Jorde's broken arm, and it is thought he may well plump for that tactic once again.

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