Gomenyuk signs for season; Smith named captain; 11th import inbound?

Ukrainian defenceman Pavel Gomenyuk has agreed to extend his short-term contract at the Hull Stingrays until the end of the 2013/2014 season.

The 35 year old guested for the club at the weekend as they dug in deep with a short bench to return home with a huge three points against Gardiner conference rivals following a shootout loss to Fife and 5-4 triumph over Edinburgh.

Gomenyuk - who will now partake in his 6th season in Hull - notched an assist and four penalty minutes over the weekend and is the club's fifth import blueliner.

While the defenceman has been criticised for some of his play in the past and would not have necessarily been most people's first choice, he is a welcome, cheap and most importantly immediate addition for Sylvain Cloutier - who has been struggling to pin down prospective players.

Of the Gomenyuk confirming his deal, Cloutier said:

"Gomy wanted to come back. He really enjoyed being back playing at the weekend, he settled in well with the other guys and had a lot of fun with them. He had no problem adjusting and you could not tell he had not played all season. Gomy is an experienced guy who will help out our defence a lot. He reads the game well and knows where to be out there. He will also boost our powerplay and penalty kill."

Meanwhile, following the departure of former captain Matt Suderman, Cloutier today announced that alternate captain Jeff Smith has been chosen to become the club's new captain.

The 32 year old veteran is incredibly well liked and respected both in the dressing room and by fans and is seen by Cloutier as the perfect captain and leader.

"Smitty has always been a leader in the dressing room since he came here. He has the respect of everybody and is a leader on and off the ice. He is someone you can rely on out there, he has been around, has captained teams before and has a lot of experience. He has also won championships wherever he has been. Last season was a tough one for Smitty with the problems he had not even being able to put his skates on. But he kept on battling for the team and is someone who never gives up and that is why he got the coach's award.

The move left a vacant alternate captain slot alongside Jason Silverthorn which Cloutier also announced has been filled by fellowed defenceman Martin Ondrej.

Finally, it is believed that the Stingrays have located and, indeed, signed their final import - a replacement for the long-departed Derek Campbell.

Speculation suggests that, pleased with the club's firepower in Jereme Tendler, Guillaume Doucet and the ever-improving Carl Lauzon, Cloutier may have plumped for a further import defenceman to shore up their back line in front of Ben Bowns and that that blueliner is another former Stingray.

The addition of another import defenceman would mean the versatile Kyle Mariani reverting back to his third-line forward spot alongside Tom Squires and Bobby Chamberlain - once he returns from Great Britain Under-20 duty.

Although the new import signing won't be in the country in time for Thursday's fixture in Dundee as they await a work permit clearance, it was hoped they may have him in the country in time for this weekend's home game against the Edinburgh Capitals.

Suderman named Stingrays captain; Silverthorn and Smith re-appointed alternate captains

30 year old defenceman Matt Suderman has been named the Hull Stingrays club captain for the 13/14 Elite League campaign - their 8th in the British top flight.

The Manitoba native - who joined the club this summer following nearly a year and a half out of the sport through illness - takes the 'C' from three-year captain Kurtis Dulle and will be assisted by alternate captains and fellow Canadians Jason Silverthorn and Jeff Smith.

Suderman - who originally joined the Stingrays in 2010 before opting out of joining due to the club's financial issues - has already made quite the impact on the roster according to player-coach Cloutier having been voted to become captain by his fellow teammates:

"This season I felt the guys should pick the captain and the vote went to Matt. You want your captain to lead by example and he will do that. He is a player who comes to work every night, he is a competitor and he battles all night. In the dressing room the guys are already listening when he talks, he has been around for a while and he has a lot of respect. Matt is a character and he is that hard hat-type of player and that is exactly what I want my team to be like. The Hull Stingrays need to have a team full of leaders who compete and battle - if we do that it will give us a chance.

On Smith and Silverthorn's re-appointment as alternate captains, Cloutier added:

"Silver and Smitty have been around a while too. They are experienced guys who come to work every night and also lead by example. I am very happy with the choices."

The Rays open the 13/14 season with an away fixture against the league, playoff and cup champions the Nottingham Panthers. Their first home fixture of the season comes on Sunday against reigning Gardiner Cup champions the Braehead Clan.

Smith and Pacha bolster Stingrays blueline

The Hull Stingrays bolstered their defensive corps for 2013/2014 Elite League campaign at tonight's fans forum with the confirmation of Jeff Smith's re-signing and addition of fellow defenceman Omar Pacha.

32 year old former ECHL defenceman Smith - who joined the club last summer from HYS Den Haag - re-signs for his second consecutive term in Hull and third season in the Elite League having totaled three goals and 12 assists along with 104 penalty minutes during 12/13.

While the rangy, 6'6 defenceman was sometimes criticised for his lack of pace in his first season in East Yorkshire, he was, and is, a well liked member of the squad and was clearly well respected and highly thought by fans, coach and teammates alike.

Smith undoubtedly took time to settle in Hull, however, the signing of Martin Ondrej mid-season saw a turnaround in form for the Canadian and the Rays defence as a whole. He went from strength to strength in the second half of the year and capped his season by being named Coaches Player of the Year at the club's end of season awards night and his return was never truly in doubt once he picked up the award.

His calming, friendly veteran influence, reliability, perseverance - having played through injury last season - and physical presence make him a valuable asset to the Stingrays. Crucially - given Cloutier's plans to sign five import defencemen - he is also versatile enough to be able to fill in as forward if and when required having spent time up front throughout his career.

Meanwhile 26 year old offensive blueliner Pacha signs for the Stingrays for his first spell in the UK from French Ligue Magnus side Chamonix - where he led the club and league in points by a defenceman with 30 from 26 games.

The Canadian has been a relatively consistent pointscorer right throughout his career, recording 112 points  in the Quebec based junior leagues QMAA and QJAAHL early in his career before heading to college.

He moved to Castleton State College, based in Vermont, to study marketing between 2008 and 2013 adding 16 goals and 49 points in 67 goals in the second tier of NCAA hockey prior to turning pro in the Southern Professional Hockey League with Huntsville Havoc.

After 70 games and 45 points, spanning just over a season in the SPHL - where he was named in the SPHL All-Rookie and All-SPHL First Team - Pacha was loaned to the Bloomington Blaze of the Central Hockey League in 11/12 - tallying respectable figures of eight goals, 19 assists for 27 points in 51 games.

Pacha had perhaps the best campaign of his career last term during his first year in Europe, hitting seven goals and 30 points to lead all defencemen in points in Ligue Magnus. Chamonix ended the year fourth in the French top flight but were shocked by 12th ranked side Epinal in the playoff quarter finals - losing out by three games to two - with Pacha adding further a goal and five assists.

He becomes the Stingrays second signing from France following the signing of Canadian forward Guillaume Doucet from fellow French Alps based side Morzine-Avoriaz earlier in the off-season.

With the future of captain Kurtis Dulle uncertain - after Cloutier told the Hull Daily Mail earlier this week that "although I'd love to have him back...he couldn't make up his mind what to do " - Pacha's CV and mooted style of play suggests he could potentially end up replacing the Rays captain as the their primary offensive threat from defence if required.

Were Dulle to also return, the Rays would potentially possess one of their strongest bluelines on paper with the defence undergoing a noticeable upgrade from 12/13 offering - which, although relatively solid at times, was particularly tame offensively and on the man advantage following the early season disappointment of Tomas Valecko.

The addition of a fifth blueliner - which is the route Cloutier has confirmed he will likely take, as opposed to an extra import forward - will further strengthen that area of the roster which has clearly been identified for improvement.

Pacha and Smith become the Stingrays eighth and ninth import signings for 13/14.

(Quotes to follow...)

Hull Stingrays 12/13 Season Review: At The Back

Netminders

#33 Ben Bowns

54GP 3.35GAA 90.5sv.%

Grade: A

Next season: Hull Stingrays (Confirmed)

A solid rookie campaign for the Great Britain number two who made his national team debut and Elite League debut this season at the age of just 22. Completely aside from the fact his addition allows the Rays an vital extra outskating import, Bowns was impressive behind a blueline that, particularly early in the season, had a tenancy to go MIA.

#30 Greg Blais 

8GP 3.72GAA 90.0sv.%

Grade: C+

Next season: Not returning; unknown (Rumour)

The Canadian ably filled the Bowns shaped hole between the pipes on two occasions when the Stingrays this season clashed with GB Olympic Qualifiers and, as a result, he ended the year with two wins from five games. He won't be returning next term but in his first season in the Elite League, after recent stays in Belgium, the EPL, France and Norway, he did his reputation no harm whatsoever with a series of competent performances.


Also dressed: Liam Jackson, Jack Dalby, Samuel Tolley, Brandon Stones, Andy Brummitt, Warren Gilfoyle, Zack Brown.

Defencemen

#20 Shane Lovdahl

55GP 3+12 90PIM

Grade: B-

Next season: Retired (Confirmed)

The now retired former CHL defenceman made a slow start to life in the Elite League but came good as the season wore on. His two goal and a fight performance in the 3-1 win against Fife in March was a season highlight for the American - who proved to be a reliable defensive addition to the club in 13/14.

#44 Ryan Hand

54GP 2+15 266PIM

Grade: C

Next season: Not returning; EIHL/CHL (Rumour)

Put in simple terms the 28 year old enforcer was brought in to protect his teammates and entertain fans. Based on those two short and sweet objectives Hand's single season in Hull was a complete and roaring success. Unfortunately, with the Rays in the physically tame and ultra competitive Gardiner Conference, they lacked not the physicality and protection which Hand provided but the goals and offence which he did not. It is for this reason then that fearless fan favourite Hand - one of the toughest players in the EIHL last season - split opinion down the middle and, ultimately, won't return for a second year in Hull.

#08 Kurtis Dulle

GP56 12+29 180PIM

Grade: C+ (11/12: B-)

Next season: Hull Stingrays/retirement (Rumour)

The Rays captain had something of a Jekyll and Hyde third season in Hull. Below par and penalty prone in the first half of the year but outstanding and largely penalty-less in the second half. His frustrations saw him take a career high 180 penalty minutes this season but with just 26 coming in February and March combined. From January onwards Dulle was a one-man wrecking ball - the perfect embodiment of what a captain should be, leading his team by example. Though he'll admit that his career is winding down, and has been for the last few years, 'second-half Dulle', like '10/11 Dulle' and '12/13 Dulle' would again be a positive re-signing for Cloutier and the Stingrays - should he not hang up the skates

#05 Jeff Smith

GP55 3+12 104PIM

Grade: C

Next season: Hull Stingrays (Rumour)

Like many of the Rays defensive corps, Smith took time to get going with the Stingrays and was criticised by some for poor positioning and a lack of speed. The addition of Martin Ondrej seemed to shore up the Rays D though and Smith's form improved in turn. Clearly highly thought of in the dressing room by coach and teammates alike - having received Stingrays Coaches Player of the Year from Cloutier at the end of season awards - the well liked defenceman may yet return for a second season in Hull.

#11 Scott Robson

37GP 0+0 4PIM

Grade: B+

Next season: Hull Stingrays (Confirmed)

The youngster only received regular ice-time in a handful of the 37 games in which he dressed during his rookie campaign. However, on the few occasions he did receive a regular shift - most notably against Coventry Blaze on the final day of the season - the 17 year old belied his age with some seriously impressive performances for someone so young.

#06 Martin Ondrej

43GP 2+13 60PIM

Grade: A- (11/12: C-) 

Next season: Hull Stingrays (Confirmed)

Criticised for his poor positional play early in his first season with the club, Ondrej's dramatic turn in form last year played a big part in the Rays progressing to the EIHL Playoffs Semi-Finals. Upon rejoining the team in in October the 29 year old carried on where he left off, going from strength-to-strength this season to become the club's standout defenceman. Physically punishing, gritty and defensively solid, he was deservedly awarded with a contract for a third season in the city

#07 Dmitri Rodin

26GP 1+7 36PIM

Grade: C (11/12: B)

Next season: Retired (Confirmed)

After struggling to notch the goals and points in the EPL with Sheffield and Telford, Rodin also returned to the club midway through 12/13 but initially struggled to make an impact. His form - most importantly his transition from defence to offence - and huge hits eventually returned somewhat, albeit not to the levels of his first year in Hull. Now retired from the sport at 38, the abiding memory of the Estonian for most Stingrays fans will surely be his trademark hip-check which he performed with alarming success on Steve Birnstill on 14th April - flipping the Canadian with such force he very nearly performed a full-length flip.


MIA: #55 Tomas Valecko (D- - Poor defensively, ineffective offensively, writing was on the wall when he was moved to forward)

Also dressed: Brett Chapman

Tendler scoops second awards night treble in three years

Forward Jereme Tendler scooped his second Hull Stingrays end of season awards treble in three years at tonight's 12/13 awards evening.

The Canadian - who has bagged 41 goals and 66 points in 56 games this season - picked up Forward of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and, the big prize, Supporters Player of the Year at tonight's award evening held at Jazz Bar.

Meanwhile resurgent forward Matty Davies picked up Most Improved Player of the Year after a breakout year, captain Kurtis Dulle was named Defenceman of the Year - having turned around his play in the last couple of months - and Ryan Hand was named Fans Favourite.

Finally, Sylvain Cloutier named rangy defenceman Jeff Smith as Coaches Player of the Year.

Stingrays confirm Smith signing; complete import quota

The long awaited signing confirmation of 6'6 defenceman Jeff Smith has today completed the Hull Stingrays import quota for the 2012/2013 Elite Ice Hockey League campaign.

The rangy, physical blueliner returns to the UK for a second shot after sitting out the majority of the 10/11 season with the Coventry Blaze thanks to a knee injury - notching three goals and an assist as well as 25 penalty minutes along the way.

Smith - who has lifted the Canadian Hockey League (00/01), ECHL Kelly Cup (02/03), American Hockey League Calder Cup (04/05), Dutch Eredivisie (09/10) and Dutch Beker Cup (08/09 and 11/12) - moves across the North Sea for the second time having completed a second spell in Holland last season with HYS Den Haag - where he notched a goal and 12 assists in 37 games.

Having notched the championship winning goal for the Red Deer Rebels in the CHL Memorial Cup in 2001 - Smith became part of the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers organisation in 2002 signing a three-year, two-way deal. Though he never made the NHL, he iced in 57 AHL games and 96 ECHL games with the Flyers minor league affiliates the Philadelphina Phantoms and Trenton Titans respectively.

The next three seasons saw the Canadian spend a season apiece with Columbia Inferno - where he iced with former Stingray Derek Campbell - Alaska Aces and Phoenix Roadrunners in the ECHL before he made the move across the Atlantic to Holland.

He lifted the Dutch Cup for Nijmegen Devils in his first year abroad during 08/09, teaming up with another former Stingray in Christian Boucher in 09/10 to captain the Devils to the Dutch Eredivisie title before moving on to his short spell at the Skydome two seasons ago.

At a lofty 6'6, the 31 year old becomes the club's joint tallest ever player with James Demone and joins an almost brand new defensive corps - with Kurtis Dulle the only returning player alongside Smith's fellow new additions Shane Lovdahl, Tomas Valecko and enforcer turned utility man Ryan Hand.

While the club's undoubted enforcer will be Hand, Smith is no slouch when it comes to toughness and physicality - with more than 120 career fights to his name, including a career high 19 in his final year as a junior in 2001/2002. In an Elite League that appears to get tougher and more physical by the day, the extra force of Smith is by no means a bad thing - particularly given that this has frequently been the club's weakness in the past.

His abilities will likely reach much further than that however, and it seems probable that his solid, no-nonsense brand of play will be the backbone to a defensive corps that also appears to possess offensive qualities in Dulle and a shot from the point in Valecko as well as all-around ability in Lovdahl.

Speaking of his final import signing Cloutier said:

"Jeff is a big stay-at-home defenceman. He is not flashy but he will bring a physical presence at the back and make people pay the price in front of the net. If he has to send a message I know he is not afraid to. He has won everywhere, he is an experienced guy and he is a leader. We will need that from him and he will accept any role we give him. He wanted to come back to the UK, he is excited to be joining us and I am excited to have him on board."

Smith becomes the Stingrays 11th and final import signing of the 2012 off-season and, on-paper, his addition has strengthened the club's roster against opening night import quotas of the past.

With Brit Ben Bowns between the pipes the Rays are afforded the luxury of 11 outskating imports. Defensively, they appear stronger and deeper than ever with four (five if you include utility player Hand) at the back and the possibility of another British player as sixth defenceman.

While up front they may not compare quite so favourably given the loss of Campbell (11/12) and Coburn (10/11), and the addition of unknown quantities Ozolins and Tanaka at EIHL level. However, the retention of last season's scoring brunt in Jereme Tendler, Jason Silverthorn and Dominic Osman - who will be looking to continue his scintillating end to last season - is reassuring and bodes well for the club's offence going forward.

Undoubtedly the biggest question now is the strength of the club's Brits given the detraction of Sam McCluskey, Dan Scott, Andy McKinney, Tristan Harper and Jack Watkins this summer, and apparent lack of quality available at this time of year.

How the Stingrays opening night import quota shapes up (2008-2012)

08/09	09/10	10/11	11/12	12/13
Cruickshank	Sandahl	Boucher	Boucher	-
Neumeier	Burns	Dulle	Mizerek	Dulle
Gomenyuk	Gomenyuk	Read	Ondrej	Lovdahl
Kerr	Jorde	Grundmanis	Rodin	Valecko
Bernier	Halkidis	Sladok	-	Smith
-	-	-	-	Hand
Kozak	Cloutier	Cloutier	Cloutier	Cloutier
Glowa	Glowa	Silverthorn	Silverthorn	Silverthorn
Riddle	Huppe	Tendler	Tendler	Tendler
Reynolds	Reynolds	Coburn	Osman	Osman
Kalmikov	Kalmikov	Kalmikov	Bakrlik	Ozolins
Kostadine	Knight	Uusivirta	Campbell	Tanaka
11	11	11	10	11