Stingray news

Defencemen Move On

Three of the Stingrays defensive corps from last season have now officially moved on to pastures new.

Canadians Aaron Wilson and Stuart Kerr, who both joined the team from the Central Hockey League's Austin Ice Bats, have signed for Holland's Heerenveen Flyers and the CHL's Odessa Jackalopes respectively.

Meanwhile Brit Richie Thornton, who iced just five times for the club last year, has re-joined Elite League rivals the Newcastle Vipers.

Kerr, who recommended friend Wilson to the club following Jonathan Bernier's sudden decision to quit, played just 24 games after a knee injury effectively ended his season in November. The club honourably stuck by the Canadian in the hope that he would return prior to seasons end, however that return frustratingly failed to materialise.

Kerr has returned to the CHL where he amassed seven points and 208 penalty minutes in 62 games in 07/08.

Wilson (left), in a tussle with Newcastle's Andre Payette

Wilson, 27, ended the season with career best figures of two goals and 17 assists in 50 games and became one of the few defencemen able to avoid injury, an attribute which made him an important part of the team during the Rays lowest moments.

However, his solid form early on soon deteriorated and his own goal against Edinburgh in the team's final game of the season summed up a disappointing spell with the club. He has followed in the footsteps of fellow former Stingray and Trenton Titan Cole Byers by signing in Heerenveen.

Pre-season Preparations Announced

The Stingrays last week announced a three way pre-season tournament which will take place the Hull Arena featuring Elite League rivals Nottingham Panthers and Dutch side Tilburg Trappers.

The tournament, which will occur on August Bank Holiday weekend (29-31), a week before the 09/10 Elite League season kicks off, will see the Stingrays face foreign opposition for the first time in their history, before Tilburg and Nottingham matchup on Sunday, with the Rays ending the tournament by taking on the Panthers in a re-match of one of last season's most heated rivalry's.

The Panthers are likely to start the season as one of the favourites for the Elite League title after the signing of Cameron Mann, a former NHLer of over 80 games and DEL player of eight years, and last season reached the EIHL Playoff Final.

Whilst Tilburg, from the Southern provinces of the Netherlands, have signed Japanese former LA Kings netminder Yukata Fukufuji and are seen as a real force in Dutch ice hockey, having won the Eredivise title in two of the past three seasons.

Ticket prices and further details on the tournament will be unveiled at a later date.

Brotherly Love

Finally, former Stingrays defenceman Kevin Phillips has pulled out of a deal to re-sign in the EPL with Slough Jets, where he produced 40 points last season, in order to replace his brother on the Elite League's Belfast Giants.

Brother Dave Phillips last month made a U-turn on his contract with the Giants to join the American Hockey League's Rockford Ice Hogs on a two-way contract with their ECHL affiliate, and after his departure the Giants approached brother Kevin to replace him.

Kevin left the Stingrays in 06/07 after a difficult season in which he recorded two points in 50 games in the Rays first EIHL season, whilst Dave left the Rays a year ago, however in his two seasons in the EPL with the Jets Kevin has combined for 54 points in 94 games.

Photo's courtesy: Arthur Foster

Hull Stingrays 2008-2009 Season Review: At The Back

Netminders

Curtis Cruickshank (58GP 88.6%SV)- The Canadian (above) failed to reproduce the form that saw him highly thought of in Elite League stints with Nottingham and Basingstoke. Although he had solid periods of play, normally against the top four, he let in so many soft goals that it may have ended up costing the team a playoff spot. Last year Ladislav Kudrna was berated for his lack of consistency, this year all is forgotten, Ladi, as Cruickshank's consistent errors cost the team dear.

Grade: D-
Should he return: No

Andy Jaszcyzk (10GP 81.5%SV)- Being an EIHL backup is a tough job. Most of the time it involves sitting on the pine for the majority of the season, however when Jaszcyzk stepped onto the ice to guard the goal in relief of Cruickshank, he showed composure and the young goalie should definately return to gain further experience next season.
Grade: C
Should he return: Yes

Defence

Troy Neumeier (35GP 3+10=13 42PIM)- Neumeier (above) made it his ambition to get the Stingrays into the playoffs, in what he knew was his final season in the sport, however his one man crusade ended in disappointment, with the team missing out yet again. At 38, and following an injury layoff mid-season, his legs began to go at the tail end of the season, resulting in a number of hooking and holding penalties, but Neumeier will be remembered for his solid defensive work, drive and passion to get the team to the promised land, the playoffs. His retirement is thoroughly deserved.
Grade: C
Should he return: No

Stuart Kerr (24GP 0+6=6 71PIM)- After improving in each of his 24 games for the club, and endearing himself to fans with a toe-to-toe fight against former NHLer Chris McAllister, Kerr's season unexpectedly succumbed to a continuing knee problem. The injury, which he attempted to return from on a number of occasions, eventually saw him sit out 36 games after going down in November and denied fans the chance to see a player improving with increased ice time.
Grade: C-
Should he return: No

Paul Moran (30GP 0+11=11 36PIM)- Moran's season was decimated by a shoulder injury that has dogged his career. After the loss of Stevie Lee, Luke Boothroyd and Dave Phillips in pre-season, he provided the Stingrays with a much needed British defenceman and, despite a rough patch of form, was largely solid.
Grade: C-
Should he return? Yes

Pavel Gomenyuk (56GP 13+29=42 78PIM)- Gomenyuk (above) rebounded from a dismal 06/07 season with the Stingrays to have a phenomenal 08/09, recording career highs in goals, assists and points as well as a high in points for a Stingrays defenceman. The Ukrainian, like every other Stingrays defenceman, suffered from the odd injury scare, but that did not hinder some fantastic performances both offensively and defensively. His offensive capabilities, which saw him score 13 goals, provided the Stingrays with some attacking force, on a team that, in pre-season, looked like it had none.
Grade: B+
Should he return? Yes

Aaron Wilson (50GP 2+17=19 57PIM)- Recommended by Stuart Kerr, Wilson came in as a big physical defenceman but left as let down. It was a case of almost opposites when descrbing Wilson pre and post signing. Not physical, even soft, and mistake riddled, highlighted by his awful own goal in the Stingrays final game of the season, much more was expected from Wilson. In fact it comes as no surprise that his best game in a Rays jersey came in his most physical encounter, against the Newcastle Vipers, where he bullied the Vipers, even beating EIHL pantomime villain Andre Payette in a scrap.
Grade: D-
Should he return? No

Antti Turunen (20GP 1+4=5 18PIM)- Turunen (above) was brought into the Stingrays at possibly the worst time for himself, with the team in the pits of an injury crisis. That injury crisis saw him come up smelling of roses, performing admirably during times of strife. His tenacious hounding of the puck carrier, grit and determination were what fellow defenceman, Aaron Wilson, missed, and is what made him so popular. He capped his 20 games stint with a much deserved first goal in the Stingrays penultimate game of the season.
Grade: B-
Should he return? Yes

Steve Slonina (60GP 9+31=40 88PIM)- Slonina (above) came in as a forward, and his first dozen games were distinctly average, however 40 games, and a switch to defence, later, Slonina deservedly ended his season as the Stingrays defenceman and player of the year. He, like Turunen, had a never say die style of play that endeared him to fans, but he, alongside Pavel Gomenyuk, also provided the team with offensive capabilities from defence. His ability to rush the puck forward as well as be solid at the back, was previously unseen in a Stingrays jersey and his signature for next season will be hot property.
Grade: B
Should he return? Yes

MIA

Jonathan Bernier (4GP 0+0=0 9PIM)- He played just four equally awful games for the Rays before bizarrely quitting the team for the AHL. He allegedly provided the Stingrays with toughness, which they already possessed in Rick Kozak, and his positioning as a top four defenceman was horrific. Needless to say that his AHL tryout quickly turned into a short stint in the ECHL before being demoted to the CHL with his former side, the Wichita Thunder.
Grade: E
Should he return? No

Richie Thornton (5Gp 0+0=0 4PIM)- Signed on a two way contract to give the team some depth in the midst of injuries to Kerr, Moran and Neumeier, and largely did his job. Went missing for a number of games, presumably because he had other commitments with his other contract or his job out of hockey, but gave the team some help when they most needed it.
Grade: D+
Should he return? Yes

*Photos all courtesy Arthur Foster

Stingray news

Say it quietly......Stingrays return to full strength

Import forward Matt Reynolds and Jamie Thompson look set to return to the Excel Hull Stingrays lineup for this weekend's games against the Cardiff Devils and Sheffield Steelers after five and four week layoffs respectively.

Thompson, who had scored eight goals in 26 games, suffered a neck injury against the Sheffield Steelers some weeks ago whilst Reynolds, who led the Stingrays in points and goals before his injury, broke a finger in the same game. They will both return to full training this week and should they not suffer any re-occurrences , will play in back to back games against Cardiff and Sheffield.

The games this weekend should see the Stingrays return to full strength for the first time since the opening day of the season.

Rick Strachan said:

"Thompson and Reynolds should be ready for full practice this week. We’ve missed them. Matt was our top scorer when he got injured and he plays on our special teams and powerplay."

We will then have a full bench and it is something we are looking forward to. It will take a lot of responsibility of the shoulders of some of our young kids who have been carrying this team. Guys like Jeff Glowa and Konstantin Kalmikov have also been going every second shift for a month and those guys are dead tired and they need a rest."

All Stars Prepare

The Elite League's inaugural All Star game will face off on Thursday night at the Coventry Skydome with four Excel Hull Stingrays in the lineup. And whilst players like Steve Slonina, Matt Reynolds and Konstantin Kalmikov have been at the heart of the Stingrays push for their first ever playoff berth, the Elite League have implemented a two import and two Brit rule from each team, meaning many of the Stingrays 'stars' will miss out.

The result of the rule has seen Brits Slava Koulikov and Lee Mitchell selected alongside the ever brilliant Jeff Glowa and Curtis Cruickshank and all four will lineup on Thursday alongside the rest of the Southern All Stars.

Auctions, Auctions, Auctions...

The auctions for the Stingrays Valentine's Day shirts, used in their 4-3 loss against the Manchester Phoenix, are beginning to come to an end. Currently Lee Esders and Jeff Glowa are the highest priced shirts at £78.01, with Slava Koulikov in second with a price of £77. However there are still shirt's available in the auction including James Cooke's #18 shirt, Aaron Wilson's #23, Pavel Gomenyuk's #40 and Richie Thornton's unworn #6 shirt. The eBay site can be found here.

There is a similar auction for the game worn All Star jerseys to be used on Thursday in the EIHL's first All Star game. The eBay site for this auction can be found here. It contains All Star jerseys for the Stingrays Jeff Glowa, Slava Koulikov, Curtis Cruickshank and Lee Mitchell.

Kerr To Sit Season

With the return to action of import forwards Jamie Thompson and Matt Reynolds comes bad news for defenceman Stuart Kerr, out since November.

With Thompson and Reynolds the Stingrays have 11 fit imports, out of an allowed 11 under EIHL rules, and Kerr, who has played just 24 games for the Stingrays, recording six assists, will be forced to sit for the remainder of the season unless the Stingrays suffer yet more injuries.

Despite rumour of Kerr being let go by the Stingrays, who are one of, if not, the lowest budget team in the league, it seems that Kerr will remain will the team as both a good will move and backup for any more injuries the team will suffer.

The signing, and impressive displays, by young Finnish defenceman Antti Turunen seem to have been the determining factor in Kerr sitting on the sidelines for the final few weeks despite allegedly returning to fitness in the last fortnight.

Caps v Devils

In their only game in hand before they, and the Stingrays, ice 11 times on the same nights in the run up to the playoffs, the Edinburgh Capitals face a Cardiff Devils on Wednesday. The Caps are ahead of the Stingrays by games between the sides after their 7-4 win against the Devils on Sunday took them level on points.

Gomenyuk another All Star...sort of

Pavel Gomenyuk, who is having a career year after scoring ten goals and 17 assists, has agreed to ice in Newcastle player-coach Rob Wilson's testimonial game.

The match will pit a Rob Wilson's All Star Select against a North East All Star select and will feature a number of players from Wilson's 20 career in Britain.

Fixture Change

The Stingrays scheduled game in Manchester on March 8 has now been moved to Thursday March 19.

Stingray news

Player of the week. Player of the season?

Ukrainian forward Konstantin Kalmikov has become the first ever Excel Hull Stingray to receive the Elite League's Player of the Week.

The skillful forward, who joined the Stingrays in late October to replace Jake Riddle, sealed the accolade after scoring two of the Stingrays three goals in the last gasp victory over the second placed Nottingham Panthers, with the game winning goal coming from a penalty shot with just under two minutes remaining in the game.

Kalmikov, who is in his second spell in the UK after icing for the Panthers in 04/05, sits third in the team in goals (15) and points (32) but has played 11 less games than category leaders Jeff Glowa, Steve Slonina and Matt Reynolds.

Glowa joins the All Stars

Jeff Glowa has followed Lee Mitchell into the Southern All Stars squad after being selected by South coach Paul Thompson for the inaugural Elite League All Star Game, to be played in Coventry on February 19th.

Glowa, who last year scored 18 goals in the club's second Elite League season, has already surpassed that mark after scoring 22 in the teams first 41 games, adding 20 assists for a points total of 42. With Mitchell and Glowa already selected, Coventry coach Thompson must pick two more Stingrays to complete the agreed four players per team quota.

Defence returning to health?

Defencemen Stuart Kerr and Troy Neumeier are nearing their return to Elite League action. Whilst Kerr did not feel comfortable after warming up against Nottingham Neumeier is expected to make a surprise early return in the next few weeks after initially being ruled out for the season after a torn knee ligament.

Just two defencemen for Rays trip to Scotland?

The injured trio: Troy Neumier, Paul Moran and Stuart Kerr

The Excel Hull Stingrays are down to just two regular defencemen for their 8th place crunch clash against the Edinburgh Capitals at Murrayfield this Sunday.

With Troy Neumeier already ruled out for the season with a torn ligament, both Stuart Kerr and Paul Moran are unlikely to play the lone game this weekend. Kerr, who has not iced for a full game since November 16, will seek further medical advice on a knee injury with an MRI scan planned for next week to pinpoint the injury.

Whilst British defenceman Moran has suffered a reoccurance of the shoulder injury that has troubled his career to date, with many suggesting that as a reason for his lack of progression in the British game. Coach Rick Strachan has suggested to the Hull Daily Mail that he out for more than just one game:

"Moran will probably be out for a couple of weeks so we are hoping to find a British defenceman to help us out this weekend.

Strachan's search for a British defenceman just comes days after Stingrays co-owner Sue Pack admitted that, in the light of injuries to Kerr and Neumeier, the team will have to end negotiations with replacement forwards. With Steve Slonina slotting in nicely on defence it was suggested that he would remain as a defenceman for the rest of the season and instead the Stingrays would replace Neumeier, a defenceman, with a forward in search of some much needed scoring.

With yet more injuries to an already frail defence the team are now looking to sign a British defenceman for this weekend, and possibly beyondm, as well as an import defenceman or two, which the Packs have already admitted is highly unlikely to arrive this side of New Year.

The lack of defensive coverage comes after the Stingrays were unable, or chose not to, renew the contracts of three Great Britain defencemen this summer. Luke Boothroyd was let go, whilst Stevie Lee and Dave Phillips chose to leave for more ice time and career opportunities respectively and the lack of depth that has previously been a luxury to the Rays is now non-exsistant.

Now, with just Aaron Wilson and, only recently fit, Pavel Gomenyuk as recognised defencemen, Strachan has begun the search for reinforcements ahead of Sundays game against the Capitals.

The Stingrays can perhaps count themselves lucky that they only have one game this weekend and that that is 'only' against fellow strugglers Edinburgh Capitals, who sit on equal points with the Stingrays.

Stingray news

- American born forward Jamie Thompson broke his point and goal duck on Sunday night in Nottingham with a powerplay goal which gave the Stingrays a 4-3 lead in a game that eventually finished 5-4 after a shootout. Thompson, who has had four 20+ goal seasons in his career, had previously gone eight games without a point before the goal.

- Jeff Glowa's awesome form continued in the same game on Sunday night after a team blip in Manchester on Saturday night, a game where the Stingrays were shut out 5-0 and recorded just 13 shots on target. Glowa, 32, recorded a goal and two assists in Nottingham to rescue a point for the Rays whilst also increasing his goal streak to 11 goals in 10 games for the Stingrays.

- In the 5-0 whitewash in Manchester the Stingrays 24 year old import, Stuart Kerr, suffered a knee injury which could keep him out of action for an extended period of time. Rays coach Rick Strachan told the Yorkshire Post that is taking a cautious approach to Kerr's injury:

Stu has a sore knee and we will be sending him to a specialist to see what the damage is. He is as tough as nails so you know there is something wrong when he can't get out there and play.

Kerr, a defenceman who joined in post season from the Austin Ice Bats in the CHL, has recorded just six assists in 23 games so far this season. However Strachan told the Yorkshire Post of the admiration he had for the work Kerr has done so far this season despite the lack of points:

He is an unsung hero. He blocks 25 shots a game, takes tonnes of hits and makes a load of hits. He does whatever it takes to win.

- On a positive note, Ukrainian defenceman Pavel Gomenyuk successfully returned from an upper body injury on Saturday night against Manchester and played in both games this weekend as the Stingrays look to recover from recent injuries with Slava Koulikov also close to returning.

- The Stingrays will likely remain without both Kerr and Troy Neumeier for a number of weeks and so Rick Strachan has hinted that he may be looking to make changes to improve the Rays form and strengthen their defensive lineups. Strachan told the Hull Daily Mail that he will "look at that[changes] this week."

6'3 defenceman signs.

6'3, according the hockey db, but actually 6'4, defenceman Stuart Kerr has signed for the Stingrays for the 2008/09 season after a season with the Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League. The defensive defenceman, who can also drop the gloves, from Cranbrook, Manitoba, follows in the wake of Jonathan Bernier, also from the CHL, who signed on Wednesday.

Kerr, who attended AHL training camp with Mancheter Monarchs in 2005 prior to 2 seasons in the ECHL, recorded 7 points in a career high 62 games with the Ice Bats along with 208 PIMs. As per this seasons theme Kerr dropped the mitts 12 times last season to go with his 6 fights in his 2 seasons and 77 games in the ECHL with Pensacola, Long Beach and Reading Royals, where he was sent down after his unsuccessful AHL training camp.

Kerrs fighting abilities stem back from his junior career in the notoriously rough Western Hockey League, where in 4 seasons with 3 teams he fought 52 times including a bout with NHL bound Dion Phaneuf, now with the Calgary Flames. Along the way in his ECHL career he also fought Newcastle bound Joel Irving.

Once again coach Rick Strachan has continued his "intimidating" mentality for the 2008-09 season however it is believed that Kerr possesses significant playing abilities, enough to obviously, to get him noticed in the AHL. Strachan will apparently allow Kerr to rack up minutes on the second line of defence and will rely on his playing abilities rather than his clear toughness. Although that clear toughness should come in useful.