Scott becomes second to Jet off as Stingrays await ice-time deal

British defenceman Dan Scott has today become the second player and second blueliner to depart the Hull Stingrays this off-season, leaving to return to the English Premier League with the Slough Jets.

The Kent born Great Britain junior international joined the Rays from the EPL's Telford Tigers a year ago looking to further a young career that had already seen him play in North America and six times in the Elite League with Coventry.

Starting the year in his natural position on the blueline, Scott was ousted into the club's fifth defensive spot early in the year by Sam McCluskey - who already had a full season in the Elite League under his belt. Having struggled to hold down a regular spot on D, the Brit paid the price for some poor defensive performances as a team, and was shifted up front for the remainder of the year.

However, this was by no means a reflection on his potential abilities, more a reflection on his inexperience and the fact the Stingrays defensive frailties meant they weren't able to carry a young defenceman. In reverting to a forward as a young, promising but inexperienced defenceman Scott followed in the footsteps of former Hull defensive prospects Dave Phillips and Stevie Lee - who have since gone on to top four clubs, Great Britain caps and, in the case of Phillips, an AHL berth.

Much like Phillips during his stint as a forward in 2003 as a 16 year, Scott's strength and enthusiasm were the Brits two standout attributes and, though he failed to cut it on this occasion, chances are he will return to the EIHL sooner rather than later. As a popular member of the squad and favourite with fans, his rasping shot and the only goal of his Stingrays stay - which saw him record two points in 58 games - against Coventry was met with delight all-around.

The now 20 year old undoubtedly requires some seasoning and plenty of ice-time in order to aid his development and build on the shoots of positivity shown in 11/12, and that is something the second tier EPL can provide.

He has joined a Slough Jets side now coached by former Stingray Slava Koulikov - who left the club in 2009 and attempted a takeover of the Stingrays alongside Godrey Burley this summer.

The 33 year old is entering his fourth consecutive season in the EPL and first as coach - following in the footsteps of his father Alexandr who recently took over as coach of the Ukrainian national team.

Koulikov was happy to confirm the deal saying:

Danny is a great upcoming defenceman. I have talked to many coaches about him and they all agree that already he has every ability necessary. He is strong, is a good skater and he makes a great first pass. He is a professional, every one I've spoken to agrees. When I spoke to him on the phone he impressed on me his professionalism, he wants to take his hockey as far as he can. He has the ability to be one of the top guys, he is willing to work hard to do that and I expect him to be one of our outstanding players this season."

Meanwhile Scott was "really happy" to have signed with the current EPL Playoff Champions stating:

"From what I'm hearing we're putting together a good team and I'm looking forward to fitting in and helping the team carry on from where they left off last year and hopefully achiving great things. I'm looking forward to carrying on my development while playing for the Jets and this is good for me as it's a lot closer to home than I've been for the last couple of years. I can't wait to get started."

Scott becomes the second member of the Stingrays 11/12 squad to depart this summer following fellow defenceman Dmitri Rodin's decision to drop down to the second tier to ice for the Sheffield Steeldogs. The pair may not be the only two to leave for more ice-time in the EPL this off-season with forwards Matty Davies and Andy McKinney also allegedly considering the move.

The Stingrays remain in limbo for the 12/13 EIHL campaign as new owners Nic Gough and Bobby McEwan - who have had their takeover bid accepted by former owners at the Coventry Blaze - continue to await an outcome from Hull City Council's decision regarding Hull Arena ice-time.

A positive decision is believed to be imminent, however, the pair must await confirmation before making any concrete plans on a coach, players, sponsors and season tickets, and this has so far proven costly on the recruitment front.

Update: A fans forum with McEwan and Gough is to be held at the Hull Arena at 7.30pm on Thursday 31st May with details of the upcoming season.

Cloutier brothers to bid for Stingrays?

The battle to become the Excel Hull Stingrays third ownership group in nine years took an unexpected turn yesterday following a cryptic tweet from three-year player/coach Sylvain Cloutier.

Details of negotiations between a number of parties looking to takeover the Elite Ice Hockey League club from current Coventry based owners for the 12/13 season - their ninth in existence and seventh in the British top flight - have largely been kept behind closed doors.

Last week, it was believed at least three separate parties were interested in the club with confirmed bids from last season's assistant coach Bobby McEwan and local businessman Paul Fielder as well as a mooted bid from former player Slava Koulikov, while a rumoured bid from agent Ben Milhench was refuted.

Indeed, aside from McEwan and Fielder making their intentions known in the media through the Hull Daily Mail, any details of the negotiations and potential bidders have been sketchy with the current owners silent as they review the best course of action.

Last night, it appeared that three bidders may soon become four as Cloutier took to Twitter to write, "should my brother and I do it or not do it, that is the question".

Though that is as specific as the message got, many immediately interpreted that suggestive message to mean Sylvain and younger brother, and former NHLer, Dan Cloutier were looking at making a bid for the club. As quickly as the message was read and understood, the Rays fans threw their full support behind the Canadian's bid - unsurprising since he guided the club with his blend of passion and determination to three consecutive record years on-ice.

He and Dan were rumoured to be at the heart of a potential takeover earlier in the month only for this to be denied by Sylvain during a Stingrays Fans Forum live on West Hull Community Radio (WHCR) prior to the Stingrays EIHL Playoff Semi-Final defeat to Nottingham.

According to Hockey Zone Plus 35 year old Dan Cloutier earned $12,075,000 during a ten year NHL career that saw him ice in more than 300 NHL games with the likes of New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks and LA Kings, and so he, it is believed, would hold more than enough financial clout to back his brother in a joint ownership of the Rays.

More recently he has been involved in coaching as goaltending coach of the Barrie Colts in the Ontario Hockey League, while he was also part of a mooted bid for an unnamed junior hockey team in Canada that initially saw Sylvain deny their interest in taking over in Hull.

Though the rumoured bid is flaky at best, his tweet has already received backing from player Tristan Harper, Coventry Blaze coach Luc Chabot and agent David Imonti - who have added credibility and credence to the speculation that the tweet was regarding the Stingrays by weighing in to encouraging the Canadian to do the deed - whatever that may be.

Of course, despite universal and unequivocal support from the Rays fanbase and beyond, there would be no guarantee that any bid - should it materialise - would be accepted by the current Coventry based ownership  - who have already stated they may yet remain for a third season in Hull as unlikely and possibly unpopular as that may be.

The seven to ten day time frame which club director Andy Buxton promised would make the club's future "clearer" has now been and gone, and with every day that passes goes another crucial day of preparation for any new owner or coach ahead of the 12/13 campaign.

The clock is ticking, though it appears it may be only a matter of time before the Stingrays are on to their third set of owners - at least if the fans have anything to do with it.

Koulikov Jets off

After being released by Excel Hull Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier, 31 year old forward Slava Koulikov has today been snapped up by the Slough Jets of the English Premier League (EPL).

Koulikov, who registered just three points in 11 games this season, was axed by Cloutier alongside import forward Matt Reynolds, with the pair paying the price for the Rays terrible start to the season, which had seen them lose nine of their opening 11 fixtures.

The Rays poor form has continued, extending that record to 13 losses in 15 games, but Koulikov has now found a new home at the Hanger with the Jets flying high, just three points off the top spot but in fifth place.

Speaking on the capture of the 'Elite League experienced' Koulikov, Jets coach Peter Russell said:

“I believe we needed another skilled forward and hence my reasoning for making the change. We have a lot of power in our team and another highly skilled guy like Slava will only make us a stronger all-round team.”

Earlier this week the Berkshire based side released former Stingrays forward James Knight to make way for Russian-born-Brit Koulikov, despite Knight recording four points in Jets two games last weekend.

Knight, in his second season away from the Stingrays, where he bagged 23 points in 109 games after being picked up from North America by former coach Rick Strachan in 06/07, has four goals and ten points to his name so far this season and is currently without a club after his release on Monday morning.

Last season he impressed many in the EPL, scoring 20 goals and adding 43 assists in 50 games with the now dormant Telford Tigers, and it is thought the big power forward will not be without a club for long.

Meanwhile, Reynolds, released at the same time as Koulikov, has signed for an, as yet, unnamed side in the French top flight.

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

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.

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

Stingray news.

Eleven in Eleven

The Excel Hull Stingrays have hit form at precisely the right time with 11 points in 11 games leaving just 12 games to gain an advantage of the Edinburgh Capitals.

It is a run of form that has seen the side leap from 16 points to 27 points, equal with the Capitals and eight points clear of bottom side the Basingstoke Bison. Should they continue on point-a-game form for the remainder of the season they would end up on a joint team record 39 points, a record point total that was set in 2006/07.

Stingrays All Star lineup complete

In a surprising move, Southern All Star coach Paul Thompson has announced that Slava Koulikov would join Curtis Cruickshank, Lee Mitchell and Jeff Glowa as the Excel Hull Stingrays representatives in the Elite Ice Hockey Leagues first ever All Star game.

After initial confusion over whether fellow Eastern European Konstantin Kalmikov had instead been selected, it was confirmed on Monday that Koulikov, who has scored 15 points in 24 games this season, would become to final Stingray to be selected.

In his last ten games Koulikov has scored seven points and he will join up with his fellow All Stars in Coventry on Thursday 19 February.

Brits on form

Since injuries to import forwards Matt Reynolds and Jamie Thompson the Excel Hull Stingrays British forwards have seen increased ice time and more notably increased offensive output.

In the six games since Canadian Reynolds suffered a broken finger, Lee Esders, Slava Koulikov, James Cooke and Lee Mitchell have contributed five goals and six assists, a significant increase in production.

Neumeier makes successful return for home stretch

Troy Neumeier has seemingly made a successful return from a torn knee ligament which had initially threatened to end both is season and career prematurely.

Neumeier, who has set his sights on sending the Excel Hull Stingrays to the playoffs for the first time as his last act on the ice, played in both away games against Manchester and Cardiff and made his return to the Hull Arena on Saturday night against his former side the Coventry Blaze.

Stingray luck continues.

Less than 24 hours after Jonathan Bernier walked out on the club, the Stingrays have suffered yet another blow after learning that Brit Slava Koulikov will probably miss a large portion of the next few weeks with a suspected broken collar bone.

The Stingrays absent list remains at three (Kozak, Bernier and Koulikov) after Paul Moran successfully returned to action in the 2-0 loss to the Coventry Blaze following a dislocated shoulder.

Strachan names his assistants

As expected coach Rick Strachan has named Russian born Brit, Slava Koulikov, as one of his two assistant coaches for the upcoming 08/09 season, which begins on Saturday with the visit of the Manchester Phoenix.

29 year old netminder Curtis Cruickshank has taken the other assistant coaches role after a 5 year career in British hockey, spanning from Nottingham, Newcastle to Basingstoke and now Hull.

The on ice captaincy has been handed to returning 38 year old defenceman Troy Neumeier, with the alternate captains being given to last seasons captain, Jeff Glowa, and new boy Jason Kostadine.

Strachan had this to say about his new on-ice management and captaincy:

"I think three heads are better than one. They [Koulikov and Cruickshank] are both senior guys and have been around. They know the game. With Curtis being a goalie he can see the whole picture from the ice. As a forward, Slava will give us a different perspective. Feedback from everyone is very important, especially for me."

"Troy has played 1,000 professional games. He's a well-respected, senior guy. He has all the qualities needed. He's very level-headed and doesn't get over-excited. He's seen it all, done it all and will make an excellent captain."

This move will give the Stingrays three avenues of thought for tactics, player lineups and other on ice details, and is likely to please a small section of Stingrays fans who have grown tired of Strachans tactics over the past few years. As Strachan says himself "three heads are better than one" and some new ideas, which will inevitable be thrown into the mix by Cruickshank and Koulikov will do nothing but help the team.

The additional of Neumeier as captain will help the Stingrays on so many levels. Neumeier is not only a brilliant defenceman (ok a little devoid of pace at 38), but he will put the squad into place both on and off the ice. Jeff Glowa will be reluctant to give up the captaincy however with him taking the alternate captain badge, the Stingrays will have twice the experience to rely on, meanwhile Jason Kostadine is likely to be the alternate captain who sets an example with his relentless work ethic and constant checking.

Sixth season for Koulikov.

The only player to have played in every single Stingrays season and the only original Stingray remaining, Slava Koulikov, has re-signed for his sixth season at the Hull Arena.


Koulikov split last season with EIHL rivals Basingstoke Bison and the Stingrays after not being re-signed by the Stingrays last summer. After plenty of critisism from fans about his work ethic, or lack of, he signed with Basingstoke to reinvent himself as a player.

Stuck on the 3rd line for much of the time with the Bison, the 29 year old forward scored a credible 2 goals and 7 assists in 20 games before financial troubles hit the Bison. With their owner quitting the club and many players not being paid for a number of weeks, the Bison were forced to find a new owner. Koulikov made the decision to leave the club and return to Hull ahead of big money offers from Belfast, Koulikov told the Hull Daily Mail last November:

"Belfast were one of the clubs I was talking to! I've joined Stingrays because some circumstances in my life have changed - my girlfriend is pregnant - and there were lots of money problems in Basingstoke and things didn't work out. I weighed everything up, and overall Hull is my best option. It definitely wasn't financial, I can say that, it's more my family and my life"

Clearly those circumstances remain the same and Koulikovs talent, for a British player anyway, will remain with the Stingrays for the 2008-09 EIHL season.

Koulikov has scored 58 goals, 95 assists for in 180 games for the Stingrays, he is one of the most sucessful Stingrays on the ice, Brit or import.

Because of his scoring sucess it is unlikely that the Stingrays will match him with an all British line, his vision is very good and he would be a good set up man for a lethal finisher like Kozak, Reynolds or Glowa. That said, pairing Koulikov with Mitchell, a fast developing Brit, and either an import, or a Brit, like James Knight or Lee Esders (who is apparently signed to the Stingrays already) will give the Stingrays three very solid lines. It remains to be seen which line Koulikov will fit onto but it is worth thinking about how effective Koulikov and Riddle were together at the end of last season, and that if Riddle does make his rumoured return, they are two players that will be paired together.

Strachan had a few words to the official Hull Stingrays website on Koulikov returning to the Stingrays, saying:

"Slava came back last season and did a great job. Unfortunately he got hurt but he is now 100% and is in great shape. Slava is a skilled British guy who is valuable on the powerplay, he is patient, he handles the puck really well and is effective. He has good vision and has great offensive power."

Meanwhile the Hull Daily Mail again confirmed that the Stingrays may have missed out on their number one target for netminder. An announcement was due last week but did not arrive. It was also confirmed that the Rays do have two contract offers out to unknown players, names in the rumour mill are former Stingray James Cooke, Rod Hinks and Trevor Baker.

Hull Stingrays 2007-2008 Season Review: Up Front

This is the second part of my season review of the 07/08 Stingrays from Pro Hockey News

Forwards

Jeff Glowa (61G 18+35=53 44 PIM)- Mr Reliable as far as the Stingrays are concerned, Glowa returned for a fourth consecutive season with the East Yorkshire team and yet again proved to be a solid, if unspectacular, signing. With a team high of 47 points in 06/07 Glowa returned and bettered that total tallying 18 goals and 35 assists for first on the team for assists, second for points and third for goals. In fact the main problem he has suffered in the past two years in the EIHL, especially the first year, is the team’s reliance on him to rack up the points. Glowa isn’t that player; he’s much more of a second line centre providing secondary scoring than an out and out point scorer and so if he is to return, as expected, it is imperative that the Stingrays sign a real out and out first line centre.

Season grade: C+

James Knight (62G 9+9=18 60 PIM)- Knights first full season in British ice hockey proved a solid step forward for the 23 year old forward signed mid season from Canadian junior side Winnipeg South Blues. With just 5 goals and 1 assist in 50 games last season Knight stepped up to the plate this season with 9 goals and 9 assists in 60 games, for once giving the Stingrays some impact from the 3^rd line. His ability to rock opposing players with a huge hit is a much valued asset in a team that rarely shows its physical side, also a criticism Knight has received during the season. The catalyst in the dressing room for banter and his new found scoring touch James Knight will be a good re-signing for Rick Strachan, who will no doubt be please Knight developed as he expected preseason saying, “He's a big, strong kid with a good hockey brain. He'll make the leap this year."

Season grade: C+

Lee Mitchell(46G 10+10=20 18 PIM)- Mitchell showed real signs of becoming a proven British scoring in the Elite League until his season was finished mid-February by a knee injury which required keyhole surgery. Despite this set back he made huge strides to become one of the Stingrays biggest assets and one of the most sought after Brits with many teams, including Newcastle, expected to be in line to try and sign the young Scot.

Season grade: B

Sergiy Rublivsky(19G 3+5=8 8 PIM)- Returned to the Stingrays mid season after a short lived stint in Newcastle with fellow Ukrainian and former Stingrays Pavel Gomenyuk. Managed 3 goals and 5 assists in 19 games but all too often did not look at the races, something which many fans did not take kindly to. Be very surprised if he returns to the country, let alone the Stingrays.

Season grade: D-

Rob Rankin(61G 24+33=57 98 PIM)- One of the finds of the season by Rick Strachan as he brought Rankin in from ECHL side Pensacola Ice Pilots after a 50+ point season. Although he came to the Rays denying he was a natural goal scorer he eventually scored 24 goals which was good enough for top goal scorer, he was also one of the most consistent goal scorers in a team full of streaky scorers.

Season grade: B

Jake Riddle(59G 22+24=46 247 PIM)- Very much a season of two halves for American forward Jake Riddle. During the first period from September to December he looked an uninterested and lazy player with some skills. Post December was a completely different story, a player possessed, chasing every puck and scoring many a point after a hattrick on January 6^th v Manchester Phoenix. With just 15 points in 35 games pre 2008, rumours suggested that Riddle was threatened with the sack if he didn’t improve his performances. Did this work? His post Christmas form suggested that it had indeed worked as he managed a remarkable 35 points in 24 matches including a 5 point haul in the last game of the season against Manchester, a complete turnaround. How different the Stingrays season would have been without his points contribution, rock bottom with wins even more sparsely populated than was eventually the case. A return to the Stingrays or another EIHL team, namely Newcastle or Manchester, will likely be the case.

Season grade: B

Lee Esders(62G 3+3=6 45 PIM)- A young Brit who was presumably brought in to provide cover came in and did a sterling job in his rookie season. During times of crisis for the Stingrays Esders rose from the depths of the third line to provide hope and inspiration to spur the fans on. With a respectable rookie season return of 3 goals and 3 assists and much more provided than that, he will be an expected returnee to the Stingrays third line.

Season grade: C+

Slava Koulikov(25G 4+13=17 42 PIM)- Another mid season returnee, Koulikov came from the, then, cash strapped Basingstoke Bison. It was a move that received mixed reviews from Stingrays faithful, many of whom believed Koulikov had been given enough chances at the Hull Arena and that he still failed to give 100% every shift. However, he did return and that returned to be fruitful for both Slava and the Stingrays as he put in the effort that was rarely evident in past seasons, there were games where it did seem to be waning but an end effort of 17 points in 25 games said otherwise. A solid season, which ended in injury, but which can be looked back upon with no regrets for once.

Season grade: C+