Kozak and Riddle to re-unite in OK?

Two former Excel Hull Stingrays who were axed early last season after equally controversial spells with the club may join forces once again next season after power forward Rick Kozak (right) was traded from the Central Hockey League's Laredo Bucks to the Tulsa Oilers, Jake Riddle's (left) side last term.

Kozak, who recorded 44 points in 43 games for Laredo after being mutually released from his Stingrays contract, was traded to the Oilers in exchange for two Tulsa players and may join up with Riddle, who last season scored 22 goals and 39 points in 52 games after leaving the Rays.

The pair became good friends whilst at the Stingrays and were rumoured to have caused various off-ice problems for former coach Rick Strachan.

Those issues subsequently came to a head just nine games into the Stingrays season, with Riddle having received numerous miscounduct penalties and having scored just four points, Strachan released the forward.

Kozak, who received a ten game ban in the teams first game of the season following an incident which resulted in Nottingham Panthers forward Marc Levers requiring 12 stitches to the forehead, then followed him out of the door after mutually agreeing to end his contract with owners Mike and Sue Pack.

Whilst rumours suggested that Kozak had been allowed to leave after expressing his anger at Riddle being sacked, others suggested that further off-ice troubles had forced the Stingrays hand.

Should Riddle re-sign in Oklahoma, the pair will team up again at the 17,000 capacity BOK Center in Tulsa for the 09/10 CHL season which begins in October.

Photos Courtesy: Arthur Foster and Hull Daily Mail

Hull Stingrays 2008-2009 Season Review: Up Front

Forwards

Lee Mitchell (60GP 9+25=34 46PIM)- It has been yet another solid year of improvement for developing British forward, Mitchell (above). Handed extra responsibilities this season, the 22 year old responded with a series of good performances that have seen him catapulted into contention for a Great Britain debut in the upcoming World Championships in Poland. He is another player that had a career year, not only points wise, but also performance wise, and should be a shoe in for a spot on the Stingrays roster next term.
Grade: C+
Should he return? Yes

Jason Kostadine (60GP 13+16 137PIM)- Kostadine was signed as a chippy agitator that would be backed with brute force from the likes of Rick Kozak and Jonathan Bernier. Despite both Bernier and Kozak leaving the team, he did not stop playing his natural game, however he was instead forced to back up his words with his fists. Remembered for his love-hate, but mostly hate, relationship with the Nottingham Panthers and their fans, Kostadine also chipped in with sporadic periods of offence. After playing limited roles in North America, he achieved career high figures and his hustle was very useful in turning games in favour of the Rays. Fights with a number of British players began to earn him a reputation for targeting the home grown talent, but with names such as Brad Cruikshank, Steve Munn and Kevin Bergin on his fight card, it is clear that he was not a soft nut to crack.
Grade: C
Should he return? No
Jeff Glowa (60GP 33+29=62 48PIM)- When no one thought Jeff Glowa (above) could get any better, he did. The Canadian, whose dedication to the team is unopposed, had another career year in the Elite League with an astonishing 33 of the Stingrays 154 goals in the league. He will surely have his shirt retired by the club when he eventually retires, after five seasons of unquestioned dedication, skill and goals galore. The big question on the lips of all Stingrays supporters is, will he return after yet another season of playoff drought?
Grade: A
Should he return? Yes

Matt Reynolds (51GP 22+33=55 52PIM)- Reynolds was expected to come in a do a good job offensively for the Stingrays and he did exactly that. Without sparkling, Reynolds picked up a point a game and a credible 22 goals in his maiden season in the UK and finally provided the Stingrays with an offensive alternative way from Jeff Glowa. His trademark became shooting, and scoring, from the most acute angles, something he did live on Sky Sports in the first weekend of the season against Davis Parley and the Nottingham Panthers. A broken finger interrupted his season and clearly ended any sort of form he had prior to January 17, but he returned to give the Stingrays 11 points in their ten game run in to a failed playoff qualification.
Grade: B+
Should he return? Yes

Slava Koulikov (39GP 8+22=30 18PIM)- Koulikov is a contentious issue amongst Stingrays fans and this season did nothing to sway the demand for the Russian born Brit to be let go. After starting the season seemingly in form and having turned a corner, he suffered a shattered collarbone that would eventually see him sit out two months of the season. He returned the player of previous years, a player that looked lazy and disinterested, and that earned him much criticism from the teams fan base. Despite this criticism, sometimes deserved, sometimes not, he scored 30 points in 39 games, and ended the season on an impressive eight points in four games at a crucial time in the season.
Grade: C-
Should he return? Yes

James Cooke (60GP 3+10=13 14PIM)- Cooke had an quiet start to the season, making just a few mistakes whilst not particularly endearing himself to the fans. But with growing confidence, an inform line mate and, following the injury crisis, an import line mate, Cooke began playing well as the season drew to a close. Although his skating style is a little awkward and his puck handling isn't that of Wayne Gretzky, he works hard and plays the role of defensive forward well. Most importantly he ended the season with a nice goal and two assists against Edinburgh and hopefully that confidence will carry over to the 09/10 season.
Grade: C-
Should he return? Yes
Lee Esders (60GP 11+10=21 16PIM)- One of the highlights of the season was seeing a young, developing hometown Esders (above), turn into a brilliant prospect, brimming with confidence. Like Cooke, he started the season quietly, with just the continuous chants of 'Ezzy, Ezzy, Ezzy' to remind you of his presence, but before long he put in some brilliant, but responsible, individual performances. With increased ice time following two injuries to Jamie Thompson, he grabbed the chance to make a name for himself, scoring ten points in the seasons final eight games. A remarkable achievement, and one that will hopefully see push him forward as a real British prospect, despite not making an of the GB junior teams.
Grade: B+
Should he return? Yes
Konstantin Kalmikov (48GP 25+24 4PIM)- Kalmikov is one of the most skillful players to have ever played in Hull, and certainly the most skilled to have donned the Stingrays colours. He was not named offensive player of the season ahead of Jeff Glowa and Matt Reynolds for no reason. His shot was a sight to behold, whether it be a snapshot, a quickly released wristshot from the slot or a one timed slap shot from the point on the powerplay. As Rick Strachan put it, he has an NHL calibre shot and this provided the team with another capable scorer. He very seldomly went missing offensively for the Stingrays, although he crucially disappeared in the teams penultimate, and must win game of the season, when challenged by a physical Cardiff Devils side. Nevertheless, Kalmikov is up there with Minard, Wray and Cabana as one of the best players to ice for the six year old Stingrays.
Grade: A-
Should he return? Yes

Jamie Thompson (30GP 9+2=11 16PIM)- Thompson had massive boots to fill in replacing the brilliant, but controversial, Rick Kozak. Boots that, six months later, he failed to fill in a big way. A couple of massive hits aside, including on peach on Cardiff defenceman Jason Stone which left the rest of the Devils chasing him around the rink, Thompson provided little to the Stingrays when, realistically, he should have given them a fourth consistent scorer, something he was signed to do. A concussion and neck injury did not help him improve on some discouraging performances, and he ended a poor season on the sidelines.
Grade: D
Should he return? No

MIA

Rick Kozak (4GP 3+1=4 31PIM)- Had he not left then the Stingrays season may have turned out a lot differently. As it is, he received a ten game ban in his first competitive game for the club and followed Jake Riddle out of the door in very suspicious circumstances. Despite being the clubs franchise signing in the summer and one of the most anticipated players in Stingrays history, he and the Packs decided to mutually terminate his contract after an impressive pair of games in pre-season and after sticking together during his lengthy ban.
Grade: D
Should he return? Yes

Jake Riddle (9GP 2+2 52PIM)- Riddle received a second chance last season after a poor season and he recieved a third chance to returned to the Stingrays this season. However he once again failed to repay the faith showed in him with a string of indiscipline, both on and off the ice, that lead to him rightly being shown the door.
Grade: D-
Should he return? No

Craig Elliot (1GP 0+0=0 0PIM) Elliot, like Davies, came in on a one game contract to gain experience in a pointless cup game against Manchester. After being called up to the Great Britain's U18 squad, Elliot was impressive in his first team debut and should return to the Stingrays next season with the hope of following in Lee Esders footsteps.
Grade: C+
Should he return? Yes

Matt Davies (1GP 0+0=0 0PIM)- Davies was the one that got away. A former Hull junior, who was expected to have a good chance in the game, was overlooked by coach Rick Strachan, forcing Davies to look elsewhere for his hockey. On a one game contract, his youthful exuberance impressed Strachan and his points in the EPL suggest that he does still have a good future in the game.
Grade: C+
Should he return? Yes

*Photos courtesy Arthur Foster

Kozak joins Laredo. The End.

After quitting the Excel Hull Stingrays it seems that Rick Kozak has finally found a new team. The Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League (CHL) has signed Kozak to what is believed to be a one year deal. Here's what Laredo General Manager and Head Coach, Terry Ruskowski, had to say about Kozak:

"We needed a big, strong power forward to score goals and be tough. And that's what Kozak brings to us"

That sounds very familiar. As we all know it's whether he can avoid a ban long enough to score goals that is the problem.

Coming soon on F Block Blog, "Where are they now?" including all your favourites, Jonathan Bernier, Jake Riddle, Rick Kozak, Craig Minard, Paul Cabana and many more.

Rays replace Kozak with veteran Thompson.

The Excel Hull Stingrays have replaced forward Rick Kozak, with Canadian left winger Jamie Thompson, who was expected to fly into the country today.

Thompson, 34, played last season with the Austin Ice Bats, on the same team as both Aaron Wilson and Stuart Kerr, and recorded 24 points in 54 games after previously sitting out the 06/07 season.

Prior to his year long spell in Austin, Thompson spent four seasons in the UHL with Elmira, Quad City and Danbury Thrashers, where he recorded just under 130 points in 145 games.

The 6'0 forward also has extensive time in what is regarded as the worlds second best league behind the NHL, where he spent three seasons spanning from 1998 to 2002, in that time scoring 58 points.

However, despite time in the AHL, the glowing light on Thompsons resume is most certainly the 1997/98 season with El Paso Buzzards. In his 71 game season with the WPHL team (a league that was replaced by the Central Hockey League),Thompson scored 71 goals and added 52 assists for huge total of 122 points, during his sides successful defence of the WPHL title.

The Stingrays will not be Thompson's first action of the season having attended Norfolk Admirals (AHL) training camp, and also having initially signed to play for ECHL side Augusta Lynx.

Whilst it seems, from first impressions, that Rick Kozak's replacement may not make as big a physical impact on the ice, he will most certainly make it on the scoreboard, a 71 goal season speaking volumes. With the team nearing full strength, with Stuart Kerrs foot injury not as bad as first feared and Slava Koulikov slowly nearing fitness, the Stingrays now have a chance to build on two impressive results over the weekend, with a victory over Newcastle and a tight loss to the high flying Manchester Phoenix.

Stingrays coach Rick Strachan had this to say of Thompson's signing:

"Stuart [Kerr] and Aaron [Wilson] tell me he's a veteran guy with tonnes of experience. He's a hardworking, honest hockey player, who's very fast and has a good shot. He will play the body, can be physical if he needs to be and has good skill.I'm not worried, 34 isn't old any more. I'm told he's in great shape, is still super-fast and a good player."

Furthermore, adding:

"Jamie's a ten year veteran in good leagues and we needed a left wing that can score goals and he has done that throughout his career. He will bring a good work ethic with him and there is no doubt that he will make this team and club better. It didn't take a lot, Kerr and Willi spoke to him then I gave him a call and it was sorted in three minutes. I said this is what we've got to give and he says he's coming."

His previous coach in Austin, Brent Hughes, said:

"Jamie will be one of our most experienced players, and he's a pure goal scorer. We're looking to him to be one of our top scorers this season. He has AHL experience and leadership which he'll bring to our club, so we're very excited to have him."

Finally, former teammate, Stuart Kerr, had this to say:

"Tommo is a young guy. He's a hard-nosed player, and played a lot of games in the AHL. He's really fast, and plays a lot like Jeff Glowa in that he's not afraid to get in the corners and will score some big goals for us. Tommo is a big addition and will help us win games and keep us in the play-off hunt."

"Jamie didn't need much persuading. Aaron and I played alongside him last year at the Ice Bats so we made the phone call and asked him what he was doing. He said 'nothing right now', so we talked to Rick Strachan and Rick researched him. He's not coming over for two months and then leaving"

"Jamie and I talked a couple of days ago and he wants to get over here and play some hockey."

Rick Kozak, the final word!

During his time in the UK, Stingrays forward, Rick Kozak must surely have broken the all time record in ice hockey column inches, most certainly given his much revered stay in the UK lasted not much more than just over one month.

After signing from the Mississippi Riverkings in June, Kozak, who's NHL contract ran out with his loan deal at the Riverkings, became one of the most anticipated signings in Stingrays history. Having been drafted in the 3rd round of the 2003 NHL Draft he came to the Stingrays with a pedigree, and most of all, a reputation.

A reputation for tough, hard nosed hockey with the occasional large ban on his resume, Kozak came with undoubted talent and big expectations. He signed in a side that looked to have its fair share of agitators, namely Jake Riddle and Jason Kostadine, and aggressors, in Jonathan Bernier and Stuart Kerr. He was brought in to play hockey, hockey that had seen him highly rated by both the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers NHL franchises.

Rays coach, Rick Strachan, was fully aware that Kozak had a desire to fight on occasion, and fight he would let him. Yet he made it clear to Kozak that he brought him over to play hockey and be a "franchise player", if there is such a thing in UK hockey.

It took just 69 minutes and 23 seconds of league action for that expectation and talent to come crashing down, and effectively ruin any hopes the Stingrays had for a full squad at the beginning of the season.

After dropping the gloves during a scuffle in a game in Nottingham against the Panthers, Panthers forward, Marc Levers, was left needing 25 stitches in his forehead, whilst a puddle of blood was left sprayed across the ice, both as a result of Kozak's actions.

That was effectively the end of his career with the Stingrays. He returned from a ten game ban after just six games as a result of constant lobbying from the Stingrays management, believing that he was on the receiving end of some harsh treatment from the EIHL disciplinary team. The Stingrays stuck by him through thick and thin, rumour after rumour came and went but the official line from Kozak was "I'm happy".

That lasted just one game after his return, which coincidentally came against the same Panthers side that he received his ban, a battle that Kozak, quite comically won (although the Stingrays were on the end of a drubbing from the Panthers) with a two goal, one assist effort. Rick Strachan said he believed that Kozak had his mind set on leaving during, and after, the Stingrays game in Coventry on the 12th and as such he was not surprised when Kozak turned up at his office on the following Tuesday, wanting to leave.

And that was that. Aside from the ban, the departing memory of Kozak was probably either his return against Nottingham, or his first game for the Stingrays against Manchester, where he scored two goals (he was only awarded one) whilst running over Manchester netminder Stephen Murphy on numerous occasions.

Unfortunately he will go down on the same list as Craig Minard, Paul Cabana, Scott Wray, Garry Luini and Jonathan Bernier, of players who quit the Stingrays pre-Christmas. He will go down on a smaller list, along with Cabana, Wray and Minard, of Stingrays that could, and almost certainly would, have provided so much to the Stingrays had they stayed the whole season.

A line must now be drawn below the name Rick Kozak. The Stingrays coach, Rick Strachan, is focused on bringing in a replacement that is new to the country, the fans should focus on supporting the team and most importantly the team need to focus on building on their win over Basingstoke, with a win over Newcastle.

PICTURE (Arthur Foster): Kozak running Stephen Murphy, during his first taste of EIHL action.

Confirmed: Kozak leaves

It has now been officially confirmed that Rick Kozak has quit the Stingrays. Team owner Mike Pack had this to say to the Hull Daily Mail:

"It would be inappropriate for me to discuss the circumstances surrounding this decision, but suffice it to say that it was agreed by both parties as the best course of action."

BREAKING NEWS: Kozak speculation reaches climax

Speculation that Stingrays power forward, Rick Kozak, may have quit the team seems to have hit a point of no return, something has to give and it would appear that Stingray fans worst fears are coming true.

To tie in with his no show on radio station KCFM on Wednesday night, and continuing rumour, it appears that Kozak picked up his equipment today and did not travel to Basingstoke with the rest of the squad.

23 year old Kozak joined the Stingrays this summer after a season with the Mississippi Riverkings of the CHL. So far this season he has recorded three goals and one assist in five games with the Stingrays after receiving a 6 game ban for sucker punching and bringing the game into disrepute against the Nottingham Panthers on the opening day of the season.

It looks more and more like his two goal, one assist effort against the Panthers last weekend, on his return to action, will be the last of his Ray career.

Stingray News.

- It is hoped that new import forward, Konstantin Kalmikov (pictured), will arrive in time for this weekends double header against Basingstoke. Ukrainian Kalmikov, who has been brought in to replace released Jake Riddle, last season iced for Pensacola Ice Pilots and Pontebba in the Italian Serie A, however he is also a former Nottingham Panther, where he scored 19 points in 28 games. Should everything go through smoothly he will arrive at Heathrow on Saturday but is more likely to make his debut on Sunday in the second leg of the double header against the Bison.

- Yet more rumours are surfacing about Stingrays power forward, Rick Kozak, quitting the club in order to return to North America. Fuelled by his last minute absence on KCFM last night, the Hull Daily Mail ran a story speculating on his departure. As yet no Stingray official has commented on the rumour, which has risen its head for what must be the third or fourth time this season. Perhaps this rumour has surfaced its ugly head one time too many to be false, perhaps not.

- Meanwhile, this weekend the Rays will face a Basingstoke side in turmoil. Amid rumour of financial crisis at the club, head coach, Ryan Aldridge, quit the club. On at ten game losing streak, Aldridge quit because he believed he was not able to do the job that he wished. The club quickly replaced Aldridge with the unknown coaching quantity of, now, head coach, defenceman Eric Braff, and assistant coaches Jeremy Cornish and Greg Chambers, both Bison import forwards. The Stingrays will face a Bison side that will be wanting to prove a point to themselves, their fans, the new coach and the league.

Kozak sits ten

The Stingrays £2000 appeal to lower the 10 game ban given to power forward and key player, Rick Kozak, has been dismissed by the EIHL disciplinary comittee.

The EIHL have released the following press release:

"The Elite Ice Hockey League after further review of the findings of the Disciplinary Committees and Appeal Committee today released the outcome of the cases involving Rick Kozak, Hull Stingrays, and Brad Voth, Cardiff Devils.

The 2008/09 hockey season commenced with significant suspensions being issued to the above players as a consequence of incidents during the first weekend games involving Nottingham Panthers v Hull Stingrays and Cardiff Devils v Sheffield Steelers on Sunday 7th September.

The outcome is that Rick Kozak is suspended with immediate effect for 10 games. Should he be involved in a similar incident during the current season he would automatically serve an additional suspension of 10 games.

Brad Voth is immediately suspended for 12 games and again should a similar incident occur in the current season he would automatically serve an additional suspension of 12 games.

Ice Hockey is an extremely fast and physical sport, which has been played in the UK for over 100 years. An integral part of the sport is the use of enforcers and consequently fights do occur. Fans in the UK have always enjoyed supporting their player in the event of an altercation during a game.

The league has regulations in place for dealing with any incident of when two willing combatants engage in fighting. The league however also has regulations designed to safeguard all players in the form of a suspension tariff, should any player act in an unwarranted manner.

The suspension tariff’s were established by the club coaches and accepted by the league without alteration.

League Chairman Eamon Convery advised, “No one wishes to see player’s suspended, however if a player acts in a manner which is contrary to the league regulations they will find themselves subjected to disciplinary action. These are stiff suspensions, which ought to act as a clear warning to players, coaches and clubs. ”

“The message is simple, play hard and fair in accordance with the rules and normal standards and everyone will enjoy the hockey season. However act in a manner that is unacceptable and you will be punished. In addition the current processes need to reviewed, which has already commenced, with a view to making recommendations when the clubs meet on 7th October”. "

Therefore Stingray Kozak, who played last weekend against Belfast pending an appeal, will have to sit it out for 10 games with a further 10 games sitting over his head. Contrary to some theories it is thought that the Stingrays management see Kozak as an integral part of their team this season, and therefore will stick by him during the ten game ban.

He will miss the following games:

	20/09/08		Coventry Blaze	EL	H
	21/09/08		Edinburgh Capitals	EL	A
	24/09/08		Edinburgh Capitals	EL	H
	27/09/08		Sheffield Steelers	EL	A
	28/09/08		Nottingham Panthers	CC	H
	04/10/08		Sheffield Steelers	EL	H
	11/10/08		Nottingham Panthers	EL	H
	12/10/08		Coventry Blaze	CC	A
	18/10/08		Basingstoke Bison	EL	A
	19/10/08		Edinburgh Capitals	EL	H

Kozak worth £2000

The Excel Hull Stingrays have launched a £2000 appeal with the intention of reducing power forward Rick Kozaks 10 game ban which he received for sucker punching and bringing the game into disrepute.

After an altercation with Nottinghams Marc Levers, Kozak left Levers needing 20 stitches to his forehead before he skated through the blood on his way to the dressing room after receiving a game penalty for his actions.

He missed Saturdays 6-1 loss in Cardiff due to the game penalty however an appeal was launched in time for him to play in the 4-1 loss to the Belfast Giants at the Hull Arena. Kozak showed plenty of endeavour in the Stingrays fourth consecutive loss however ultimately a lack of discipline killed the Stingrays as they conceded three powerplay goals from ten powerplay attempts that the Rays handed to Belfast, with Jake Riddle taking five, and ten minutes, of those penalties.

Coach Rick Strachan was left disappointed with the teams indiscipline so far this season:

"When we stick to our system and stay disciplined we are a good hockey team, but you have to do it for 60 minutes. The guys had better learn real quick that if you take penalties you are not going to win. We face Coventry on Saturday and they've got just as good a powerplay as Belfast have."

Meanwhile he had this to say about the £2000 appeal for Kozak:

"We're appealing because we think the penalty was too severe - end of story. That's all I can say at the moment."

Whilst Kozak was left ruing his actions and the ban:

"I think it was a bit harsh, but I've got no control over that. I'll leave that to the coach and organisation to appeal. I feel I've let my team-mates down. I don't really want to be out that many games, I've come here to play hockey and being suspended doesn't help."

The Stingrays move on to the seasons third weekend pointless, and with just 7 goals scored so far this season they will have to solve both their chronic inability to score and their indiscipline if they wish to take any points from next weekend. On Saturday they face the EIHL champion Coventry Blaze, who will be reeling after two losses this weekend against Sheffield and Cardiff, whilst on Sunday they face an Edinburgh side with just a surprise victory over Sheffield to their name, and with a real chance at taking at least a point away.

Kozak to play v Belfast

From the official Excel Hull Stingrays website:

Rick Kozak has been given clearance to play in today's game v Belfast Giants, pending an appeal against a 10 match ban imposed following last weekend's game against Nottingham.

This means that his 10 game ban will be pushed back by at least one game, if not three, if the appeal isn't heard by next weekends games.

Stingray Kozak receives 10 game ban!

The Elite League has banned Rick Kozak (and incidentally Cardiffs Brad Voth) for lengthy amounts of time after incidents which occured last weekend.

Kozak has been handed a 10 game ban (plus 10 games suspended) whilst Voth has been given 12 games (with a further 12 suspended).

Kozak was involved in an altercation with Nottinghams Marc Levers which resulted in Levers requiring 25 stitches to his forehead. Kozak, who is entering his first season in Britain, was officially given 6 games for sucker punching an opponent and 4 games for bringing the game into disrepute.

An Elite league official had this to say in an official press release:

"Ice hockey is a very physical sport as everyone is well aware, and occasionally tempers flare and there are flashpoint incidents. However, the games last Sunday saw incidents that we feel are beyond what is the normally acceptable in terms of physical contact and we felt the need to adjudicate strongly.”

"A lot of discussion took place over the summer recruiting period about teams bringing in players to ‘entertain’ and we have no problem with that philosophy. We are a professional sport however, also acknowledge that we are all in the entertainment business but, there are limits to what is and what is not acceptable. After extensive video review, the incidents involving both Rick Kozak and Brad Voth have been deemed as being unacceptable, and it is our duty to ensure that we send a message to all the clubs, the coaching staff and all the players as to what will not be tolerated.”

Games Kozak will miss:

13/09 Cardiff (A)
20/09 Coventry (H) CC
21/09 Edinburgh (A)
27/09 Sheffield (A)
28/09 Nottingham (H) CC
04/10 Sheffield (H)
11/10 Nottingham (H)
12/10 Coventry (A)
18/10 Basingstoke (A)
19/10 Edinburgh (H)


He will return to action against the Newcastle Vipers on the 25th October, although the Hull Daily Mail is already speculating that there will be an appeal to shorten the ban.

The Elite League has set the tone with these two bans, which it is hoped, will deter any further incidents. All said and done, Kozaks ban is a huge blow (albeit probably a fair one) to the Stingrays hopes this season. To view the eventful game from last Sunday v Nottingham, tune in to Sky Sports 3 on Friday 12th September for the full game, re-live.

Big signing....Rick Kozak signs straight from NHL contract

This time you did read it right. Philadelphia Flyers 3rd round pick in the 2003 NHL Draft, Rick Kozak, has signed for the Excel Hull Stingrays 08/09 EIHL season.

Kozak, who was contracted to the NHL New York Rangers, on a 3 year two way contract, until last year, signs straight from the Memphis Riverkings, where he was assigned by the Rangers, and will step straight into the Stingrays lineup as one of the most anticipated signings in Stingrays history.

Kozak doing what, some people believe, he does best for Memphis

Kozak is a notorious power forward who isn't afraid to drive to the net, fight, score goals or rough it up, a "complete player" Strachan says:

"He fits perfectly into the theme of the team" confirmed Strachan. "He had 200 penalty minutes last year, he's a big, physical guy and that can lead to the odd scrap. But there's the other side to him too as he knows where the net is. He's a complete hockey player."

It is certainly a signing unheard of in Stingrays history as this team looks like it will be rougher and tougher than ever. Kozak brings undoubted player ability as a draftee to the NHL, and that just 5 years ago, and whilst he has spent much of his time in the lower reaches of hockey, namely the ECHL and CHL, it has usually been his ocassional off ice blip and differences with coaches, mainly in Charlotte, ECHL, that have kept him from establishing himself as a real NHL prospect.

In fact a player that he has linked up with at WHL, with Prince Albert, and in AHL, with Hartford, has been the main catalyst for his relegation down the leagues. That name, Dane Byers, brother of former Stingray Cole. In junior with Prince Albert they formed a brilliant partnership as two, big power forwards. Byers was later drafted by the NHL organisation that Kozak was at, New York, and since then it has seen Byers rack up 40+ point seasons in the AHL whilst Kozak has been sent to Charlotte, ECHL, and Memphis/Mississippi, CHL.

It is guaranteed, like so many other players who will come for their first EIHL season, that their points production will increase three fold, sometimes more. This should most certainly be the fact with Kozak, with formerly NHL level talent and skating ability, he will challenge the scorers in the league but only if he ticks one box. Staying out of the penalty box, possibly a difficult task with a player that has 26 fights in 3 professional seasons. But perhaps that is the player he is and maybe he would'nt score as many goals if he did'nt have that style to his game. Only time will tell what role he takes on the team.



Below I have gathered some information from various sources about his drafting to the NHL, his NHL level talent and his chances of being an NHLer.

Initial signing for New York:

“Rick is an aggressive, gritty player who is very difficult to play against”, said Sather in making the announcement. “He showed great improvement throughout the season and played very well for Prince Albert in the playoffs. His combination of size, toughness and skill make him an excellent prospect for our organization.”

Rookie Rick Kozak, out three months with a thumb injury, scored a goal in his return Tuesday against Columbia. It was his first professional goal, and teammate Brandon Cullen corralled the puck as a souvenir for Kozak, a New York Rangers' farmhand.

"He's a big power winger that has ability to score some goals," Wilkinson said. "And he gets the ugly ones. Banging in a rebound in front the net, knocking a guy down going to the front of the net. ... Once he gets in better shape, he should be able to sustain that contact.

The official statement on why he was sent to the CHL:

"It was determined by the Rangers, Checkers and Rick that Charlotte was not the appropriate place for him to continue his career"

"Rick Kozak, one of the younger members of the 2003 draft class, got better and better as the season went along. Pointless and bad penalty prone in his first four games for Brandon after coming over from Prince George, he improved steadily thereafter and his solid playoff performance raised hopes that the aggressive rookie has only begun to tap his abilities. A relatively obscure player coming out Swan Valley in Manitoba Junior Hockey League, Kozak earned his keep in his first WHL season by throwing his weight around and going to the net; which earned him powerplay time for the Wheat Kings."

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/6083/flyers2003_nhl_entry_draft_review/

"A rough and ready forward, Kozak began his career with perhaps too much aggression, but has since learned to control it better. A willing combatant, Kozak is also not afraid of driving to the net and using the body to take or even receive hits. With above average skating and a solid top speed, his biggest drawback is his limited offensive ability, which will likely limit his potential to a third or fourth line grinding forward."

http://www.outsidethegarden.com/prospectprofile.asp?PID=80

And the Hull Daily Mail confirmed that there will be more signings next week "both imports and British players"

Certainly an exciting time to be a Stingrays fan.