F Block Blog

Match highlights: Excel Hull Stingrays 5-1 Edinburgh Capitals

2011-12-22T18:54:00.003Z

Match highlights: Excel Hull Stingrays 3-5 Cardiff Devils

2011-12-20T11:01:00.000Z

WHCR 106.9FM Stingrays Fans Forum - December

2011-12-15T20:42:00.000Z

WHCR 106.9FM Stingrays Fans Forum - December by FBlockBlog

Match highlights: Braehead Clan 4-2 Excel Hull Stingyrays

2011-12-12T15:16:00.003Z

Mizerek leaves Hull; Dulle regains captaincy

2011-12-12T09:52:00.000Z

Late last night it was officially confirmed that Stingrays captain Joshua Mizerek has been released from his contract with the club.

As I suggested in last night's blog this decision was solely down to the sub-par performances put in by the Rays captain and not financial problems which are hitting the ownership group in Coventry. Coach Sylvain Cloutier has confirmed he is searching for a replacement and also revealed that last season's captain Kurtis Dulle will regain his captaincy of the club.

It's not a numbers game, nor, I assume, was it a decision taken based on numbers, but Mizerek, 34, offered just two goals and five assists in 30 games, one of which I think should have been credited elsewhere. That is something of a surprise for a player that bagged 115 points in 150 games in the Dutch Eredivisie with Den Haag and Cloutier will have undoubtedly expected more.

Comparably, Martin Ondrej - who was criticised early on for his performances - has since solidified somewhat and has ten assists to his name. On occasion he also shows some offensive abilities that didn't materialise this season with 'Miz' and defensively he remains invisible.

It was patently obvious to everyone that the defenceman was the odd one out in Hull, even before forward Frantisek Bakrlik was released. His positional play was questionable and his lack of pace and strength unfortunately wasn't offset by his determination and work rate. Last night I likened him to Jonathan Bernier which was perhaps a tad harsh, as the enforcer lasted just four games in Hull, but the sentiment remains, he unfortunately wasn't good enough.

This will, by no means, have been an easy decision for Cloutier. Although on-ice performances dictated he had to be let go, he spent the best part of two years trying to sign the American from Dutch side Den Haag and the pair are good friends, having played together on previous occasions.

The timing of the decision was interesting to me. To release Mizerek heading into a weekend in which the club were so critically understrength due to injuries and international call-ups suggests either Mizerek had had enough himself or that he was issued his two-weeks notice but Cloutier hoped he would remain. Certainly his lack of appearance this weekend together with the late PR suggests the club didn't think they'd have to announce this quite so soon.

As has been mentioned plenty of times previously, Cloutier originally signed reinstated captain Dulle to boost the Rays defensive numbers to four imports and six total as he felt the club couldn't compete with five as it put massive pressure on Brits Sam McCluskey and Dan Scott. He will now look to redress that balance with a defensive signing in the coming days or weeks.

Understrength Stingrays leave Scotland with just a point but pride aplenty

2011-12-11T11:19:00.001Z

Braehead Clan 4 - 2 Excel Hull Stingrays
Edinburgh Capitals 7 - 6 Excel Hull Stingrays (SO)

The Stingrays 13 strong squad this weekend will, or at least should, have won a lot of friends for their hard work and effort in these two performances in Scotland.

You don't need me to tell you that they were up against it from the offset. With Dan Scott and Jack Watkins away with GB U20's, and Tristan Harper, Dmitri Rodin and Ryan Lake all nursing injuries - the surprise non-inclusion of captain Joshua Mizerek further compounded matters, limiting the Stingrays to just three defencemen and eight forwards - one of which was the inexperienced Sam Towner.

Any team that ever wins with 13 skaters or less deserves a massive hand and, although they didn't win, the Stingrays deserve exactly that for their efforts.

Anyway onto the expected yet surprising news of Mizerek's departure. I'll keep it short and sweet as I'm expecting an official announcement soon, but he's believed to have been released by coach Sylvain Cloutier due to sub-par performances rather than the financial issues that are currently affecting the Coventry based ownership group. I fully expect Cloutier to replace him at this point, though hopefully there will be news about that in the official announcement or the Hull Daily Mail soon.

I say expected yet surprising?

Well, it's far from a secret that Mizerek was the worst performing import in the squad, even before the release of Frantisek Bakrlik. I try to sway away from out and out criticism on here and elsewhere but you may have noticed he was often the player I mentioned being out of position on opposing goals in match reports.

His defensive play was, lets say, questionable. Much like the long gone Jonathan Bernier of 08/09, he liked to play (or happened to fall into) the non-existing 'midfield' role which is never a good sign. Once it was obvious he was maybe not up to a certain level, the tide was well against him and I've no doubt on occasion he got the blame for things that weren't always his fault.

I guess the surprisingly part about this move is the timing given the club were down so many bodies going into the weekend. That could be down to a number of things, be it Mizerek himself being unhappy, Cloutier finding a better player for the role or financial issues (I don't believe it but I also refuse to rule it out, this is, afterall, British ice hockey!)

Back to the weekend and somewhat unsurprisingly, the club's first game without their captain on Saturday in Braehead ended in defeat. Drew Bannister's Clan claiming their second consecutive win over his former side despite trailing 1-0 thanks to a Jereme Tendler goal for more than half the game. Eventually two goals from standout Clan forward Jordan Krestanovich less than three minutes apart put paid to the Rays hopes of claiming a win and that was that, bar Tendler picking up a consolation second near the end.

This evenings game was much more entertaining, from a #followingthegameonTwitter point of view anyway. Goal's galore eventually ending, a little predictably, in a Rays road loss - albeit 7-6 and by way of a sudden death shootout. That scoreline is their second highest scoreline of the season after the 9-4 home win over Braehead by the way.

What I assume was the Stingrays first-line of Jereme Tendler, Jason Silverthorn and Derek Campbell this weekend, inflicted the majority of the damage on the scoreline and Nathan Craze's net. Tendler bagging 3+1 on the night for five goals this weekend - putting him fourth in league scoring charts - 'dishmaster' and, captain to be in my book, Silverthorn adding three helpers - for third in the league in points - before hitting the post in overtime, and Campbell scoring a useful two of his own - one shorthanded - to go with three assists for an amazing five point night. Defenceman Sam McCluskey also scored his first goal for the Stingrays to put them up 2-0 after less than five minutes.

Despite leading 2-0, 3-1 and 5-4 the Rays lost momentum and eventually had to come back from 6-5 down to level the scores on 47.22, before falling in the shootout.

I say the Rays were low on bodies, the Edinburgh Capitals tonight had 14 players ice tonight - just one more than their visitors - and have been playing with similarly low number all year. I did joke that perhaps short benches are the way to go for the Elite League if tonight's scoreline is anything to go by...

The Caps have been getting some deserved praise recently, not least from the Hull camp prior to tonight's game, and I can only echo what a great job they've done given the circumstances. They're currently four points ahead of the Stingrays with two games in hand, partly down to what I thought was a well worked system (during their visits to Hull) but also down to their players doing the hard yards.

I said on Twitter after our last game against them that Rene Jarolin is one of the best forwards in the Elite League and that he was criminally underrated by opposition fans when he signed, and he is obviously also crucial to their success.

So Cloutier and his 12 teammates travel back from Scotland tonight with just one point but I for one think they deserve the utmost respect and support for their efforts, even if it didn't quite turn out as desired.

I expect there will be news of Mizerek tomorrow, though I'll be shocked if it's anything other than "he's left". In their only game next weekend the Rays take on the Cardiff Devils - whom they beat in a shootout in South Wales last time out.

Match highlights: Excel Hull Stingrays 3-2 Sheffield Steelers

2011-12-06T21:53:00.001Z

Stingrays end tough weekend with creditable, hard working point

2011-12-04T21:10:00.001Z

Belfast Giants 5 - 1 Excel Hull Stingrays

Excel Hull Stingrays 2 - 3 Sheffield Steelers (OT)

Rays Rating

FBB Three Stars

1 - Christian Boucher (34 saves)

2 - Jason Silverthorn (1+1)

3 - Dominic Osman (0+0)

Match Highlights: Excel Hull Stingrays 2 - 3 Braehead Clan

2011-11-29T20:58:00.001Z

Czech mate; Bakrlik joins Coventry after Stingrays release

2011-11-28T19:46:00.001Z

The Stingrays tonight released Czech man mountain of a forward Frantisek Bakrlik from his contract with the club.

Bakrlik, 28, was the Rays third top pointscorer with 22 points in 27 games but has contributed just six goals this season. It's news to me but according to the press release, which I assume was to be released tomorrow morning but has presumably been let out early by ukamericansportsfans.com, Bakrlik had just one even strength goal this season. The writing was on the wall long ago but when he was left out of a full strength squad a few weeks ago it was all but confirmed.

For a team that has struggled to find offence (55 goals in 21 games) as well as that game winning and game changing ability, that simply wasn't enough and Cloutier has made the obvious decision after a double defeat this weekend.

I think if you ask most people, a defensive transaction would have been first on the cards. However, with Dmitri Rodin on the sidelines that simply wasn't an option, especially as Cloutier has understandably stated he wants to have a four strong import blueline. Releasing a defenceman would put them down to just two!

Out of the forward corps, Bakrlik was unfortunately the obvious choice for release. A player that started the year with a pair of truly dominant performances against the Coventry Blaze in pre-season - in which he was an absolute man mountain - his play since has been disappointing. Though his 22 points may indicate otherwise, there has since been only the odd glimpse of the kind of dominance that saw him earmarked as a potential star of the 11/12 season for his pace, strength and surprisingly good stickhandling abilities.

His physicality, or lack thereof, for a player standing at 6'5 was been another disappointment for Bakrlik - who I personally though would end up hurting someone given combination his size and the velocity of his hits in the close season.

The up turn in form of Dominic Osman and Derek Campbell ultimately gave Cloutier no other choice once it became obvious he wanted a stronger blueline with the addition of Kurtis Dulle. In fact one of the few merits to his game while in Hull was his slapshot from the point - something, Rodin aside, the club seem to lack this year.

Luckily for the Czech forward though, the Coventry Blaze have moved quickly (and sensibly in my opinion) to sign him as temporary injury cover, according to coach Paul Thompson on Twitter, following his release.

As I said on Twitter myself, given how well he played in pre-season against the Blaze (unplayable is probably a good word to use), it's not surprising that they picked him up, even away from the convenience of signing a player that is effectively already on your books.

Of course, this being British ice hockey, that in itself has already caused a stir!

As soon as it was revealed that he would be moving to the Stingrays ownership rivals there immediate were conspiracy claims stating the Rays have only released him to leave because Coventry (being the 'big club, apparently) need injury cover and in spite of the Stingrays being down one import (Rodin) etc etc.

For me that is pure rubbish.

Bakrlik hasn't performed, Cloutier has released him and Coventry, fresh from injuries to Jermaine Domish and Owen Fussey, have signed him as cover with the chance to make it permanent if he plays well (to sign him without that clause would be quite frankly, silly, given how well he played in pre-season). They're the facts and I personally believe it is that black and white. Sorry it's not as exciting as the conspiracy suggests.

No one knows what the Rays coach has up his sleeve signing wise and while it's concerning to some we've let him go despite being down a player, perhaps this will give Dan Scott, Bobby Chamberlain, Andy McKinney etc. the ice time in the short term that some were calling out for at the weekend.

Too little too late as Stingrays continue season long rollercoaster

2011-11-27T10:44:00.001Z

Nottingham Panthers 6-1 Excel Hull Stingrays
Excel Hull Stingrays 2-3 Braehead Clan

Neil Black two, Stingrays nil.

Another frustrating weekend for Sylvain Cloutier and his team. First they were outplayed and outclassed at the NIC against the Panthers on Saturday, in 6-1 game that outlined the difference between the haves and the have nots in the Elite League.

Then tonight they took 50 minutes to wake themselves from a deep sleep against the Braehead Clan, eventually falling by three goals to two. That despite having points within their grasp right up until the 59.50 mark - when former Stingray turned Clan player-coach Drew Bannister agonisingly cleared off the line.

The first 60 of the weekend was what I can, I think, call out of character for the club this season, in that it was a blow out loss of more than three. Only three times so far this season have they been roundly thrashed - unsurprisingly those scorelines coming in Nottingham (6-2 there last time out) and home and away to Sheffield (6-2 and 6-0 respectively).

15 of the Stingrays 20 losses this season have come by two or fewer goals, nine of those have been by one goal.

That in itself is an impressive, encouraging and demoralising hit all in one for the Stingrays. They're obviously getting something right, though clearly not quite right enough as they remain behind Braehead and Edinburgh in eighth place in the EIHL.

Anyway, unfortunately - particularly for the merry band of Stingrays fans that made the trip down dressed head to toe in blue and yellow lyrca - the Stingrays offered little in Nottingham aside from Kurtis Dulle's consolation powerplay goal and Andy McKinney's second fight of the year, this time against Brock Wilson. The latter by the way, according to sources, was another loss for McKinney, though it was a apparently much improved showing from his first top flight tilt against Bryan Jurynec - which I'm sure he'll admit, didn't go particularly well.

Onto tonight's home game against Braehead and well, the Stingrays offered very very little for two periods and a half. That could be partly down to the Clan sorting themselves out defensively after going down 9-4 in the Rays high point of the season so far, it could be down to a fairly noticeable change of tactic from both sides heading into the game or it could be down to some sloppy all around play from the Stingrays.

Personally I think it was a mix of all of the above.

Bannister had clearly sorted his side out and came to town with a defensive tactic and a view to counter attacking a Stingrays side that are particularly vulnerable at the back when they push up.

If that was indeed the tactic, it worked. At least one of their three goals came on the break, that coming after Derek Campbell - who had what I'd call a 'Marmite' game (love him one minute, hate him the next) - cheaply gave up the puck in the offensive zone for Mike Bayrack - who has proven to be a very valuable goalscoring asset to the Clan this season - to score on a two-on-one break. For me the Clan didn't offer a huge amount away from their break, no doubt this was because of the defensive tactic as I believe they do have more in the locker though.

A powerplay marker from Jade Galbraith and a buzzer beating goal from Brock McPherson in front after a truly brilliant pass from Galbraith behind the net were enough for the Clan to claim the win. They were good defensively but by no means unbeatable and if the Stingrays had played the full 60 as they did the last 10 then things probably would have been different.

Even then, the Rays had more than enough chances to at least tie the game and take it to the lottery of overtime. The turning point of their game being Dominic Osman - clear Stingrays man of the match - switching to play alongside Jason Silverthorn and Campbell.

For the large majority of the game the home side frustratingly insisted on dumping and chasing as well as cycling the puck down low at every opportunity. While there was no doubt a good reason for that (perhaps that is how the Rays got their 9-4 success over the Clan last time out?), it was no surprise that the two goals came as a result of players rushing the puck across the blueline and feeding it from there, rather than dumping it up and over the Clan before chasing it.

Their first saw Osman - newly paired with his new line mates - break across the blueline and feed Silverthorn - who continued his good season, which sees him in the top five pointscorers in the league, with another goal.

The second was both fortuitous and well worked as the puck found itself with Osman to score his tenth of the season, possibly via a deflection past Jaako Sumoulainen in the Braehead net. That goal gave some hope to the Stingrays who only moments earlier had suffered what looked to be a game killing goal which put the Clan 3-1 up.

The Rays continued to up the ante as time ticked down. However, it was all too little, too late, a Campbell penalty shot miss and Bannister clearance off the line later and the Stingrays were once again on the wrong end of a one goal loss.

Their everlasting search for consistency may have finally been solved. Unfortunately, that consistency has arrived in the form of tight losses against all - regardless of standing.

Osman (and the injured Dmitri Rodin) aside, it is clear the Rays top performers are the core of players re-signed from last season in Boucher, Dulle, Silverthorn and Tendler. Bring the remaining couple into check and the results and points may follow.

Rays Rating

FBB Three Stars

1 - Domnic Osman (1+1)

2 - Kurtis Dulle (0+0)

3 - Jason Silverthorn (1+1)

Rays snatch first win in Wales since February 2009

2011-11-23T21:14:00.001Z

Cardiff Devils 2 - 3 Stingrays (SO)

Phew!

Following that on Twitter and The Inferno's Match Night Live sure was as fun as it ever is following the Stingrays from afar....!

The Rays looked to be cruising to their first win in South Wales for more than two and a half years after twenty minutes, 2-0 up thanks to goals from Dominic Osman and Jereme Tendler.

However, Rays fans will know things are very rarely that simple and the Devils forced their way back into the game, peppering Christian Boucher with 19 second period shots. Bouch - who I'd add has been outstanding recently, barring perhaps Fife's second goal blip on Sunday - stood tall but further third period pressure (17 more shots for the record) saw Cardiff tie things up in the third with goals from Stu Macrae and Kenton Smith.

Heartbreaking for Sylvain Cloutier, who had never won in Cardiff as Rays coach and who - like myself - must have been thinking the two years and a half years was about to edge closer to three years.

Turning away 53 shots - his second highest save count of the year after the 56 turned away in the loss to Dundee in October - Boucher saved the Stingrays bacon and forced the game into overtime....and then into penalty shots, where, once again, I (and I'm sure the rest of the Rays fanbase) was fearing the worst. Ever the pessimist when the Rays are involved away from home I'm afraid.

It's a cliche to say they're a lottery but after the Devils Jeff Pierce had earlier missed one in regulation this was finally to be the Stingrays day in Wales. Frantisek Bakrlik and Osman scoring their penalty shots to give Cloutier his first win over Cardiff since a Konstantin Kalmikov hat-trick on 12 September 2009. In doing so they improved their shootout record this season from 1-1, from two contest against Fife, to 2-1.

For those wondering, the Rays last win in Wales? 1st February 2009 under former coach Rick Strachan and that only coming thanks to a late unassisted goal from defenceman Pavel Gomenyuk!

The 3-3 Challenge Cup tie last season and 2-2 a couple of weeks ago aside, the Stingrays have been beaten by the Devils in 12 of their last 16 meetings - including that infamous 12-0 loss last season. Here are those last 16 defeats:

1-7, 7-1, 2-5, 5-2, 4-1, 5-7, 5-1, 7-4, 12-0, 4-1, 1-3, 6-1, 2-7, 1-2 (Playoffs), 6-3 (Playoffs), 4-2.

In penalty news tonight, Stingrays Derek Campbell and Cardiff's Brad Voth tangled, Bobby Chamberlain received a 5+Game for butt-ending and Jason Silverthorn also received a 2+10 against his former side for checking from behind.

Standout defenceman Dmitri Rodin was the Rays import that sat out of this game due to a knee injury expected to keep him out for three weeks. He joins British forwards Tristan Harper and Ryan Lake on the sidelines.

Next up for the Rays is Nottingham Panthers at the Trent FM Arena and then a streaky Braehead Clan side that was beaten 9-4 last time out at Hull Arena.

Change of direction; A blog about a blog

2011-11-23T18:44:00.001Z

So recently I think what I've been posting for F Block Blog has become a bit stale, boring, monotonous and really haven't been enjoying it as much as I did when I set out in 2008 (how long ago?!).

I don't know if that reflects in what I've written or whether people like what I write but either way I haven't really enjoyed the whole, get back from a game, churn out a couple hundred word match report this season.

Don't get me wrong I do enjoy writing, it's just that the big vision for FBB when I set out was that it would be an unofficial news source with match reports updated from every game on the night, if not then on the following morning, and other news constantly updated. In my head I absolutely had to do this, hit deadline or worst case scenario get something out the following morning, much like an official news source...don't know why, I guess it was just a goal that I set myself.

What I didn't think about is that official media is official for a reason, and any possible stories I could have blogged were already covered, usually very swiftly. I'm sure it hasn't gone unnoticed by most Elite League fans that the Stingrays are particularly good at getting press releases and quotes out there on a regular basis and credit must go to Stuart Walker for that.

Anyway, the 'other news constantly updated' aspect dropped off about a year and a half ago when my student days ended (RIP) and my 9-5 working life began, drastically reducing my free time (no more lie-ins for me). That's if you can call a 10.30-7 shift a 9-5?! On the side I also happen to write 1500 words for the Stingrays programme each Sunday and Monday night for the following week, so this is something that also impacted my available time and enjoyment of writing.

The 'other news' posts all finished then, barring signings, which I endeavored to continue updating soon after they were announced, and match reports, which have obviously become the large majority of what I post now.

The crux of what I'm slowly but surely getting to is that no longer will I set myself those deadlines and no longer will be blog be updated as a matter of urgency. The length of what I post may also drop off but I guess that depends a lot on what I have to say about the particular game/event/injury/signing etc and whether I've posted recently on other subjects.

Another thing that I want to change is the voice of what I write. It's not going to be the official unofficial news voice that I previously shot for, and occasionally missed. Now....if you hadn't already guessed, it's going to written in first person with more views, opinions and general thoughts on the Stingrays and maybe even the Elite League from time-to-time by me (Christian Ward for those unaware).

Why? Well, apart from those listed above, I'm a big big fan of the style of the Star Tribune's Michael Russo and his Minnesota Wild (top of the NHL by the way) centric blog Russo Rant's.

Ideally I'd like FBB to be the Stingrays very own version, albeit without as much insider info and probably less content. That's the general idea away, we'll see how long it is before I change my tone again!

I imagine very few people care about this post, and just come to FBB for a quick fix, but for me this post is just to break out of my shell, draw a line in the sand and start afresh as it were (can I fit any more clinches into a sentence)! I promise I don't take this as seriously as this post sounds haha.

I'll still probably post often, just now it'll be enjoyable and when I went, and I'll still be just as active on Twitter @F_Block_Blog. If you look through a couple of my posts on there, well, that's kinda what the all new blog posts will be like....only longer than 140 characters, obviously.

See you on the other side!

Match Highlights: Excel Hull Stingrays 3 - 2 Fife Flyers

2011-11-22T20:59:00.000Z

Stingrays gain Fife revenge

2011-11-20T21:08:00.001Z

Excel Hull Stingrays 3 - 2 Fife Flyers

The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight avenged Tuesday's 6-5 shootout loss to the Fife Flyers with a closely fought 3-2 victory at the Hull Arena.

Rays Rating

FBB Three Stars

1 - Dominic Osman (1+0)

2 - Jason Silverthorn (1+1)

3 - Dan Scott (0+0)

Stingrays leave Murrayfield pointless

2011-11-19T23:59:00.000Z

Edinburgh Capitals 3 - 1 Excel Hull Stingrays

More later

Stingrays become Flyers first league scalp

2011-11-15T21:59:00.000Z

Fife Flyers 5 - 4 Excel Hull Stingrays (PS)

The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight came back from three goals down to the Fife Flyers, taking a 4-3 third period lead before falling on penalty shots to hand the Scottish side their first league win in the top flight

Goals from Matt Siddall - after just one minute 38 seconds - Toms Hartmanis and Matt Cohen gave the Flyers a convincing 3-0 lead mid-way through the game. However, a late second period Stingrays fightback saw the Cloutier's side narrow the lead to one heading in to the final stanza with goals coming from Jereme Tendler and Derek Campbell.

6.50 into the third defenceman Dmitri Rodin leveled the scores on the powerplay before Kurtis Dulle completed the fightback, giving the Rays a deserved 4-3 lead having outshot the Flyers 20-10 in the final period and 41-25 in regular time.

A late leveller from Siddall - with less than two minutes remaining - then took the game into overtime - handing both sides a point - before a goalless overtime period and penalty shots saw the Flyers clinch their first win of the season.

Match Highlights: Sheffield Steelers 2-1 Excel Hull Stingrays

2011-11-14T19:44:00.001Z

Match Highlights: Excel Hull Stingrays 2-2 Coventry Blaze

2011-11-14T19:20:00.001Z

Another narrow defeat as Stingrays bow out of Challenge Cup

2011-11-13T18:58:00.001Z

Sheffield Steelers 2 - 1 Excel Hull Stingrays

The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight bowed out of the 11/12 Elite League Challenge Cup with a 0-6-2 record, going down to a fourth narrow defeat in four games by three goals to two against the Sheffield Steelers at Ice Sheffield.

The Stingrays - who were all but out of the competition prior to the last two weeks of Group B fixtures - fell behind to a first period goal from Colt King before R G Flath doubled the South Yorkshire sides lead in the second period.

Sylvain Cloutier's side once again made a game of it against their top five opposition though, new addition Andy McKinney scoring his first goal for the club in just his second full-time appearance - having previously iced for the club against Braehead on a two-way contact from EPL side Telford Tigers.

Though that goal gave the Rays a glimmer of hope that they could record their first win of the 11/12 cup campaign in their final attempt, the Steelers took control of the final period - firing 13 shots on netminder Christian Boucher for totals of 30-23 - and eked out a narrow 2-1 win.

While they may be thankful another fruitless Challenge Cup campaign is over, a pair of narrow, one-goal losses to Sheffield and ties against both Cardiff and Coventry - as well as a unlucky tight loss to Belfast in the league the week - is perhaps proof enough that the club is getting to a competitive base from which it can build.

It is somewhat unfortunate then that, given their recent balance, Cloutier must now release an import - having delayed his decision for more than a week.

That decision is expected imminently, ahead of a week which is just as important - if not more so - than the week which initially prompted the calls for change and the subsequent signing of defenceman Kurtis Dulle.

They face three fixtures against bottom five clubs in the next week, first travelling to Fife on Tuesday night hoping to replicate the 6-1 result from late October before returning to Scotland to play Edinburgh on Saturday night. After three weeks away Cloutier's side will then return to league action at the Hull Arena on Sunday, facing Fife for the second time in a week and fourth time this season.

Third period goals deny Stingrays Challenge Cup win again

2011-11-12T21:46:00.000Z

Excel Hull Stingrays 2 - 2 Coventry Blaze

For the third time in three Challenge Cup fixtures the Excel Hull Stingrays took a top half side all the way, only to lose grasp on victory in the third period.

With captain's Joshua Mizerek and Jason Silverthorn back on the ice, coach Sylvain Cloutier resumed coaching duties on the bench although British forwards Tristan Harper and Ryan Lake were once again sidelined through injury.

Despite being outshot 38-23 over the 60 minutes - in a competition they were mathematically knocked out of last weekend - it was the home side that took a two goal lead into the opening two periods, Dominic Osman and Jereme Tendler netting their seventh and tenth goals of the season respectively.

In a fierce second period, Stingrays newest addition Andy McKinney - hoping to make a name for himself on his full debut - dropped the gloves with Blaze enforcer Bryan Jurynec before Derek Campbell also fought the Coventry man.

Having conceded costly last minute goals against both Cardiff and Sheffield the previous week, the Stingrays again lost out on another chance to claim a first cup victory of the year through Matic Krajl and Shea Guthrie goals.

Cloutier's side travel to Sheffield tomorrow hoping to claim that elusive first win of the Challenge Cup campaign - having tied two and lost five of their seven fixtures - before the Rays coach will have to cut a member of his import roster having delayed his decision for more than a week due to injuries.

FBB Three Stars

1 - Derek Campbell (0+1)

2 - Jereme Tendler (1+0)

3 - Jason Silverthorn (0+1)

Match highlights: Excel Hull Stingrays 2-2 Cardiff Devils

2011-11-09T12:04:00.003Z

McKinney becomes full-time Stingray

2011-11-08T00:17:00.002Z

According to English Premier League side Telford Tigers, the Excel Hull Stingrays have tonight completed the signature of British forward Andy McKinney on a full-time contract for the remainder of the 11/12 campaign.

The 20 year old initially joined the Stingrays on a two-way contract from the EPL side earlier last month - meaning he would be available to play for the Rays when the Tigers were without a fixture - and he went on stand out on debut in the Rays emphatic 9-4 win over Braehead at the Hull Arena on 26 October, narrowly missing a chance to open his goalscoring account in the top flight.

As per the terms of the agreement between Hull and Telford, he returned to ice for the Shropshire based side - eventually totally five appearances, recording just one goal - having made his debut but - having tasted EIHL hockey - he has now decided to terminate his EPL contract and join up with Sylvain Cloutier's Stingrays on a permanent basis.

Canadian born but British trained, McKinney recorded nine goals and 12 assists in 53 games in the British second tier last season having guested for Manchester Phoenix the previous year while playing for Altrincham based Trafford Metros of the third tier English National League - for whom he scored ten goals and ten assists in 25 games.

Though he has scored just one goal this season - that coming in a 7-5 loss to Sheffield Steeldogs on Sunday - McKinney has been performing well, being named Tigers Player of the Month for both September and October - a first at the club.

Telford player-coach Tom Watkins is naturally disappointed to be losing the speedy forward, in an official press release he said, "Andy has been the heartbeat of this team and I won't be able to replace what he's brought to Tigers."

With one import set to leave the Stingrays in the next few days, McKinney's signature is a timely boost for a a squad currently without fellow British forwards Ryan Lake and Tristan Harper through injury. Though it is also understandably a big blow to Telford - who have now lost one of their best players mid-way through the year.

Indeed, for the Stingrays this signing goes a way to suggesting that coach Sylvain Cloutier is anticipating the release of an import forward by bolstering the offensive numbers, in turn retaining all four import defencemen. That said, considering his fast, physical, composed and all-around impressive debut showing, it seems highly likely that McKinney will play more than just a marginal, bench warming role for the club.

Nevertheless - provided there are no last minute problems with his release from Telford - it is thought he will go straight into the Rays squad for this weekend's Challenge Cup fixtures at home to Coventry and away to Sheffield, though they were mathematically eliminated from the competition last weekend.

Updates to follow....

Breaking news: McKinney becomes full-time Stingray

2011-11-07T23:19:00.000Z

According to English Premier League side the Telford Tigers, the Excel Hull Stingrays have tonight completed the signature of British forward Andy McKinney on a full-time contract for the remainder of the 11/12 season.

The 20 year old joined the Stingrays on a two-way contract from the EPL side earlier this month, meaning he would play for the Rays when the Tigers didn't have a game, and he went on stand out on debut in the Rays emphatic 9-4 win over Braehead at the Hull Arena.

He returned to ice for the Shropshire based side - who he has scored a lone goal for in five games this season - as per the terms of the agreement, but he has now decided to terminate his contract and join up with Sylvain Cloutier's Stingrays on a permanent basis.

More soon...

Match Highlights: Excel Hull Stingrays 2 - 3 Sheffield Steelers

2011-11-07T19:08:00.000Z

Stingrays claim first Challenge Cup point

2011-11-06T20:41:00.001Z

Excel Hull Stingrays 2 - 2 Cardiff Devils

The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight built off a solid showing against Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Steelers last night by claiming their first point of the 11/12 Challenge Cup campaign in a gritty 2-2 tie with the Cardiff Devils.

Though the Rays - who were tonight without Jason Silverthorn, Tristan Harper and long term injury concern Ryan Lake - were mathematically knocked out of the competition last night, they entered the game hoping to continue momentum that has seen them impress in recent weeks.

In reverse to the previous night, the Stingrays fell behind to a Ben Davies first period goal but hit back to take the lead through Jereme Tendler and Matty Davies in the second period.

In a fractious, unsavory final period - in which Bobby Chamberlain and Dan Scott dropped the gloves - the Rays again surrendered a late goal in the final minute of the game - this time from Cardiff player-coach Gerad Adams - as the Devils denied them a first win of the cup competition.

Though conceding a late goal for the second time in two games is disappointing for the Rays, the recent improvement in form is heartening and does offer some hope for the remainder of the regular season.

However, with all players two-weeks notice period set to expire following the Edinburgh home loss, Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier must decided which import to release ahead of two further Challenge Cup games next weekend - at home to Coventry and away to Sheffield.

FBB Three Stars

1 - Bobby Chamberlain (0+0)

2 - Christian Boucher (31 saves)

3 - Sylvain Cloutier (0+1)

Steelers snatch late victory to confirm Stingrays Challenge Cup exit

2011-11-05T21:49:00.003Z

Excel Hull Stingrays 2 - 3 Sheffield Steelers

The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight had their exit from the Challenge Cup confirmed as Yorkshire rivals the Sheffield Steelers struck a late winner at the Hull Arena to claim a 3-2 victory.

For large parts the Rays - who were all but mathematically out of the competition before a puck was dropped - matched their South Yorkshire counterparts as they continued their recent upturn in form, Jack Watkins handing them a 12 minute lead with his second goal in a yellow and blue jersey.

Neil Clark and Colt King replied for the Steelers in the second period to hand the visitors a 2-1 lead heading into the final period, only for Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier - on his return to the squad in place of the injured Jason Silverthorn - to level the scores at two with less than five minutes left in the game.

However, the Steelers - who are chasing Cardiff, the Stingrays opponents tomorrow night, in Challenge Cup Group B - cruelly snatched the win with ten seconds remaining, Clark netting his second of the night and the crucial game winning goal.

The result - unsurprisingly given their record of five games, five losses - knocks the Stingrays out of the competition with Cardiff travelling to Hull tomorrow, another meeting with Sheffield next week and an away game with Coventry still to come in the competition.

FBB Three Stars

1 - Jack Watkins (1+0)

2 - Kurtis Dulle (0+0)

3 - Frantisek Bakrlik (0+1)

Match highlights: Excel Hull Stingrays 1-3 Belfast Giants

2011-11-01T16:27:00.002Z

Stingrays denied by leaders

2011-10-30T21:14:00.000Z

Excel Hull Stingrays 1 - 3 Belfast Giants

The Excel Hull Stingrays were tonight agonisingly denied a fourth consecutive Elite League win by the Belfast Giants, as the league leaders completed a slightly fortuitous hit and run on Stingrays in a tightly fought 3-1 victory.

Without British rookie Bobby Chamberlain through suspension and player-coach Sylvain Cloutier - who remained on the bench as the club's 11th import - the Stingrays could have potentially lead moments into the game. Derek Campbell - who stood out once again for his strength and determination - only managing to fire into the body of Giants netminder Stephen Murphy after hard work in the corner from line mate Jason Silverthorn.

That is about as good as it would get for the home side in the first period though as a combination of poor discipline and the Giants good form - having beaten Nottingham a night earlier - saw Doug Christiansen's dominate the opening period.

It was thanks to that that the visitors came closest to opening the scoring after ten minutes, Rays defenceman Sam McCluskey clearing off the line after a shot had uncharacteristically snuck through netminder Christian Boucher on the powerplay.

The Stingrays keeper was tested regularly throughout the game but thankfully came out on top more often than not, particularly in the first period, as his side killed off three powerplay's.

Having worked so hard to snuff out the Giants powerplay, it was perhaps typical that the Northern Irish side would net the games opening goal,, typically shorthanded on a Stingrays powerplay. Agitator Darryl Lloyd deservedly handing the Giants a 1-0 first period lead having outshot the home team 21-3.

Cloutier's side improved early in the second period, firing shots in on Murphy in an attempt to force an error from the GB international.

Though the Giants somewhat comfortably held their one goal lead for the majority of the second, with seven minutes remaining in the period the Stingrays - almost out of nowhere - turned it on, pressurising the Giants into their own end.

Their play and continuous pressure during this spell was the polar opposite of their first period showing and seemingly materialised from nothing. First Martin Ondrej hit the post as he searched for his first goal in Rays colours before Frantisek Bakrlik was prevented from forcing home close in and Dominic Osman was denied in a double effort - the second of which was a diving shot which Murphy gratefully turned away in a Stingrays onslaught.

Then on 36.06 new addition Kurtis Dulle added his first goal of 11/12 to go with his 12 of 10/11, duly scrapping the puck home after hard work from Dan Scott - who netted his first point as a Stingray - and Tristan Harper.

The goal was no less than the Rays deserved in a seven minute spell that surely rates as the Stingrays best of 11/12. Nevertheless, despite having all the momentum, they failed to capitalise on further chances in the remaining four minutes and the sides went in to the second intermission level.

More of the same followed as the Rays began the third as they finished the second, Murphy time and again coming up with saves in front of an atmospheric Hull crowd that believed they were about to witness a home win for just the third time this season.

Their biggest chance to snatch the win came on 50 minutes, as Jereme Tendler - who had an uncharacteristically below par 60 minutes - was denied by the Belfast keeper on a breakaway.

Having missed that opportunity, the key moment in the game followed as a controlled and threatening Stingrays powerplay attempt bore no fruit and was abruptly ended by a Dmitri Rodin interference call, giving the Giants a moment of respite.

That momentary rest, spent all in the Giants offensive zone, allowed Christainsen's side to regroup having largely been outplayed by the home team in the final period and a half.

That continued until the 55 minute mark when referee Andy Carson failed to call a blatant trip on defenceman Dulle - who was bringing the puck out of the defensive zone - handing possession of the puck to the Giants in a threatening position before Beniot Doucet inadvertently and luckily saw his shot deflected home in off a Stingray.

The eventual game winning goal knocked all the wind out of the Stingrays sails as the Giants went on to net a shorthanded, empty net goal through Mark Garside with 38 seconds left on the clock to seal the score at 3-1 in favour of the league leaders.

The defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for the Rays who, first period aside, played as well as they have all year, continuing their recent turn in form following last weekend's loss to Edinburgh.

While tonight's truly was a team effort, special praise must go to netminder Boucher who kept the Rays in it during a particularly difficult first period.

Despite a run of three wins in five games over a two week period - a record that, despite the home Edinburgh loss, Cloutier would have been happy with from the outset - the Rays boss must now release one import, having observed and coached from the bench during the last three games following Dulle's arrival.

Over the previous two games it is fair to say the forwards have put their case forward, racking up 13 goals, while tonight's performance was a team effort in which no one disappointed.

Cloutier is expected to make his decision early next week ahead of two full weekends of Challenge Cup fixtures - a competitive they are all but mathematically out of - including a home double header to Coventry and Sheffield next weekend.

Rays Rating

FBB Three Stars

1 - Christian Boucher (41 saves)

2 - Derek Campbell (0+0)

3 - Frantisek Bakrlik (0+0)

Stingrays make it three in a row

2011-10-29T10:09:00.000+01:00

Fife Flyers 1 - 6 Excel Hull Stingrays

In their first visit to Kirkcaldy in more than six years, the Excel Hull Stingrays tonight made it three consecutive Elite League victories and 15 goals in two games with a comprehensive 6-1 victory over the Fife Flyers.

Hoping to build off their first two consecutive wins of the year in Dundee and at home to Braehead, the Stingrays got off to the worst possible start, conceding to a Mike Hamilton goal after less than two minutes.

Oozing confidence offensively having hit Braehead for nine in midweek, the Stingrays replied convincingly with three first period goals from Dominic Osman - his seventh of the season - defenceman Dmitri Rodin and Derek Campbell - shorthanded.

A second goal of the night from Osman and a Jason Silverthorn goal - which, together with his earlier two assists put his points tally to ten in the last three games - then gave the Rays a 5-1 lead heading into the final stanza.

Frantisek Bakrlik added his first of the night and second shorthanded goal in two games six minutes into the third to end the scoring in favour of the visiting Rays, putting their win streak at three.

Sylvain Cloutier's Stingrays now return home for a Sunday evening fixture against a Belfast side that tonight beat the Nottingham Panthers by three goals to two, as the Rays hope to make it four wins in a row.

Match Highlights: Excel Hull Stingrays 9 - 4 Braehead Clan

2011-10-28T13:41:00.003+01:00

Emphatic Stingrays hit nine against Clan

2011-10-26T22:12:00.001+01:00

Excel Hull Stingrays 9 - 4 Braehead Clan

In an extraordinary turnaround following last Saturday's home loss against the Edinburgh Capitals, the Excel Hull Stingrays tonight convincingly triumphed over the Braehead Clan by nine goals to four with alternate captain Jason Silverthorn helping himself to a hat-trick and three assists.

Boosted by the return of former captain Kurtis Dulle, the Stingrays defensive corps boasted three lines of six players for the first time this season and with 20 year old Telford Tigers forward Andy McKinney - who made his EIHL debut - the club's forward ranks also looked healthy ahead of a fixture against former Stingray Drew Bannister's Braehead Clan.

Though it was the Clan that fired the first warning shots, hitting the post after less than 30 seconds after the Rays D had been caught high before being denied by netminder Christian Boucher on an incisive breakaway, it was the home side that would strike first.

Captain Joshua Mizerek - who, it would be fair to say, has endured a difficult start to his career in the UK - scoring a speculative effort from the point thanks in part to Jereme Tendler screening Clan netminder Jaako Suomalainen in front after 2.42.

In an action packed first period the Glasgow based side soon responded, standout forward Jordan Krestanovich easily tapping home a powerplay goal at the back door of Boucher's goal to level the scores six minutes in.

The Stingrays then crucially netted two goals in nine seconds, taking control of a period in which they would score eventually record four goals from ten shots. First Jereme Tendler bagged his eighth of the season thanks to some hard work and perseverance before Dominic Osman - who has really hit form in recent weeks - pounced on a loose puck in the Clan zone to clinically fire home for a 3-1 lead and his fourth of the year.

Not ones to give up a fight, Bannister's second year Clan side responded again, Mike Bayrack pulling a big move on Boucher before jamming home to cut the lead to one moments after a high-stick on Rays forward Frantisek Bakrlik had gone unpenalised at the other end.

Derek Campbell - who was influential with four assists in his best game for the Rays - then made a great pass from the boards to set up Silverthorn for his first of the night, rifling past Suomalainen only for Matt Haywood to peg Cloutier's side back with 47 seconds remaining in the period.

Aware of the dangers of a tight lead, the Stingrays had to come out strong in the second period and, though American Osman took a two minute hooking penalty, his side were still able to capitalise with their fifth of the game. Frantisek Bakrlik - who has had a frustrating time of it recently - denied before forcing home a shorthanded goal for a 5-3 lead.

Three minutes and 55 seconds later they netted the goal that broke the Clan's back. Silverthorn recording his second of the night on a Drew Bannister delayed penalty for a check from behind. The hit understandably riled Rays forward Campbell, who received a roughing penalty following the goal for his reaction to the Clan coach after he had remained on top Osman, the victim of the hit, after the penalty was awarded but before the Clan touched the puck.

Nevertheless, the goal all but ended the Scottish sides resistance for the night as they replaced Finnish keeper Suomalainen with rangy backup Michael Will.

On 31.09 Silverthorn completed his hat-trick, scoring a first past Will at the second time of asking having mishandled the first attempt. With the scoreline at 7-3, and the Stingrays having scored six goals in less than 20 minutes of hockey, the home team soon got a reality check and were forced to reevaluate and reel in their enthusiasm and confidence as a lack of numbers at the back allowed Brit forward Haywood to add his second of the night on a breakaway goal which Boucher may have hoped to prevent.

A great outlet pass from Silverthorn then put Osman in on his own breakaway to restore the four goal lead at the end of the second before Bakrlik one timed his own second of the night in off the post with less than three minutes remaining in the third for the Rays ninth of the game.

A night and performance to be proud of for players and fans alike, the Stingrays extended their win streak to two following Sunday's win in Dundee.

Good individual performances all around, special mentions must go to season debutant's Dulle and McKinney as well as Silverthorn, Osman and Campbell - who all stood out in particular. Dulle - not long arrived in Britain - played alongside Mizerek and didn't put a foot wrong - adding an assist - while spark plug and top flight debutant McKinney was the real surprise of the night, providing speed and controlled physicality on a full shift on the third line. He could have very easily made it a dream debut by grabbing himself a deserved goal if only for a little more composure in front of net when presented with a perfect third period opportunity.

In short this was easily the Stingrays best performance and result of the 11/12 campaign. Forget about playing well and not winning, or not playing well and just winning, this result had it all. Clinical and emphatic, the two-weeks notice put out by Cloutier during the second intermission of the Edinburgh game appears to have worked wonders.

The Rays boss now has a new dilemna, a good dilemma but a dilemma nevertheless. Who goes, who stays or - if it is even financially possible - does he remain on the bench for the foreseeable future as long as his side and players perform?

One thing is for sure, it would take a tough critic to break up the team that dismantled the Clan tonight.

Cloutier and team must now look to forward and focus on ensuring tonight's victory is not a false dawn.

Rays Rating

FBB Three Stars

1 - Jason Silverthorn (3+3)

2 - Derek Campbell (0+4)

3 - Kurtis Dulle (0+1)

Former captain Dulle returns to Hull

2011-10-25T13:53:00.001+01:00

31 year old defenceman and last season's Excel Hull Stingrays captain Kurtis Dulle has today made a surprise return to the club.

The blueliner registered 12 goals and 31 assists last season before leaving at the end of his contract to sign with Sydney Bears of the Australian Ice Hockey League - whose season spans the British summer - for what was expected would be the final stop in a six year professional career.

Former longtime CHLer Dulle notched eight goals and 19 points in 21 games down under but returned to North America from Australia unsure as to whether he wanted to end his career in the sport.

He and Sylvain Cloutier kept in touch throughout the summer but with the Rays struggling in the early season, particularly in defence - having won just one game and claimed just three points in 13 fixtures - Cloutier put the wheels into motion a couple of weeks ago and offered a contract to the Rays former captain.

Dulle was originally signed in 2010 as a late replacement for captain-to-be Joshua Mizerek and he went on to become one of the captures of the summer last season alongside fellow imports Jereme Tendler and Andrew Coburn.

He thrived alongside former NHL veteran and last season's assistant coach Drew Bannister - who joined the club in November - as they lead the club to a record year.

The kind of all-around defenceman that the Stingrays have lacked since offensive blueliners Kevin Young and Craig Minard donned club colours, Dulle thrived in Hull and Cloutier will be hoping he will have a similar influence on what has so far this season been a lacklustre defensive corps. He said:

"He played a huge part in our success last season. He reads the game well, he can play defensive byt also jump in on the play if necessary. It will take the pressure off our young defencemen and help them out too...Kurtis brings a lot of experience and leadership, he knows me, he knows the team, the league and the city, so there will be no adjustments there so that will be key."

While his influece on-ice on the current roster may not be called into question after a standout year in yellow and blue last season, the effects his signature has on the other nine imports and their future job prospects does.

Dulle's signature brings the Rays up to 11 imports - one more than is allowed on any EIHL match day roster. Part of Cloutier's thinking in bringing back his former captain is that, not only will he improve the playing roster in the short term - boosting the squads defensive numbers to six - but it will also allow the Stingrays coach to analyse, assess and tackle any weaknesses in the squad.

Once player-coach Cloutier decides to return to the ice there will be tough decisions and at least one cut to be made dependant on where he has spotted frailties.

At present, netminder Christian Boucher, defenceman Dmitri Rodin and forwards Jason Silverthorn and Jereme Tendler will - provided their performances don't deteriorate in the near future - be safe, while recent outings have also seen Dominic Osman raise his game and settle somewhat in the UK.

That leaves defencemen Martin Ondrej, captain Joshua Mizerek and forwards Frantisek Bakrlik and Derek Campbell in a particularly prone position. Nevertheless, with Cloutier stepping onto the bench, one thing he has made clear is that no player will be safe - whether they have impressed, or not, at the start of the season - if they don't perform in the next handful of fixtures.

"All the guys' jobs are on the line, so whoever doesn't produce over the next week or so could lose their job. Whether it's a forward or a defenceman it doesn't matter, someone's going to be gone."

It has been confirmed that Dulle should be back in the UK in time to face former team mate Bannister's new Braehead Clan side on Wednesday as they face the Stingrays for the first time this season at the Hull Arena.

Also making his Stingrays debut that night will be Telford Tigers British forward Andy McKinney. The 20 year old - who has joined the club on a two-way contract - will be hoping to help the Stingrays look build on a topsy-turvy weekend in which they lost to bottom side Edinburgh at home before beating Dundee in Scotland.

Breaking news: Dulle returns to Hull

2011-10-25T07:23:00.001+01:00

31 year old defenceman and last season's Excel Hull Stingrays captain Kurtis Dulle has today made a surprise return to the club.

The blueliner registered 12 goal and 31 assists last season and he left the UK to play in Australia during the summer with the intention that it would be the final stop before retiring.

He will return to the Hull Arena for the first time since their playoff defeat to Cardiff last April, joining up with the squad in time for Wednesday nights fixture against Drew Bannisters Braehead Clan.

More soon...

Stingrays bounce back in Dundee

2011-10-23T21:02:00.001+01:00

Dundee Stars 1 - 2 Excel Hull Stingrays

The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight dug deep and found a way to end their seven game losing streak, beating the Dundee Stars 2-1 in Scotland for just their second win of 11/12

Player-coach Sylvain Cloutier led by example, giving the Stingrays - who went down to lowly Edinburgh last night - the lead with less than two minutes remaining in the first period.

Defenceman Dan McGoff struck back for the Stars three minutes into the second, though Jason Silverthorn bagged the crucial game winning goal, shorthanded for the Rays after 38.12.

Rays man of the match, netminder Christian Boucher, was called upon regularly in the third but turned away 13 shots for a 37 save night with his side clinging on to claim a much needed and welcome two points and second win of the season.

The victory is the Stingrays first in four trips to Tayside after Dundee racked up four straight wins at home over the Rays having joined the EIHL in the summer of 2010.

Perhaps more importantly, the win ended Cloutier's sides seven game losing skid, eking out a victory - and a first win on the road in 11/12 - when few gave them any chance.

While the Rays coach will still be wanting to improve a squad that seemingly surrendered to Edinburgh 24 hours earlier, the result is a big morale boost to the existing squad - who were placed on two-weeks notice midway through the loss.

Cloutier - who will sit out the club's next couple of games - has already confirmed that there is a new player - to be announced next week - set to jet in and join the club, hopefully in time for fixtures in Fife and at home to Belfast next weekend, though he has not ruled out making more than one change.

Match Highlights: Excel Hull Stingrays 2-3 Edinburgh Capitals

2011-10-23T20:12:00.003+01:00

Wretched Stingrays beaten by bottom side Edinburgh

2011-10-22T09:48:00.000+01:00

Excel Hull Stingrays 2-3 Edinburgh Capitals

The Excel Hull Stingrays season tonight hit a new season long low at the Hull Arena, as they were defeated for the 13th time in 14 games, going down by three goals to two against a well drilled, hardworking Edinburgh Capitals side that sit bottom of the Elite Ice Hockey League.

Looking to get a six game losing streak off their backs, the Rays shot out of the traps, defenceman Martin Ondrej forcing his way between two defenceman for a breakaway before narrowly firing over after just seconds. 16 year old rookie Bobby Chamberlain then came agonisingly close to bagging his first senior goal but could only crash one off the post after eight minutes.

This would be as good as it would get for the Stingrays though as a minute later Slovakian sharpshooter Rene Jarolin shot home on the powerplay to give Edinburgh the lead.

Peter Holecko then doubled the Capitals lead in the second having been allowed time and space with his back to goal to weakly backhand one past Boucher.

Minutes later Boucher came up with a big double save to prevent Edinburgh from going three goals up before Dominic Osman squeaked home his second goal in three games on a goal Caps netminder Nathan Craze may want back.

A third and - in the end - crucial Edinburgh goal came on 37 minutes as Jarolin netted his second of the game and tenth of the season on a lovely, well worked powerplay move from Richard Hartmann's side.

Down 3-1 after two periods of play, Stingrays boss Sylvain Cloutier - angry at his sides display and lack game winning ability over the season - issued each player with two weeks notice and this, in turn, saw an improved third period showing.

Though this served as a big wake up call for his squad, despite a typically clinical finish on the powerplay from Jason Silverthorn, the Stingrays could not force a much needed further goal and crashed to their 13th loss of the season.

As well as revealing all players were put on two-weeks notice during the second intermission, in the post-game interview coach Cloutier revealed he would be sitting out the next few games to allow a new - as yet unnamed - import to take to the ice. An announcement, possibly a defenceman, on that signing is expected early next week.

Rays Rating

FBB Three Stars

1 - Jason Silverthorn (1+0)
2 - Christian Boucher (22 saves)
3 - Dominic Osman (1+0)

Stingrays out of the Challenge Cup

2011-10-16T20:30:00.000+01:00

Coventry Blaze 4 - 2 Excel Hull Stingrays

The Excel Hull Stingrays were tonight knocked out of the Challenge Cup, losing their fourth straight game in the competition and sixth on the bounce overall, in a four goals to two defeat to the Coventry Blaze.

Coming into the game at the Skydome Sylvain Cloutier's side were all but mathematically out of the competition following two defeats against Nottingham and another against Cardiff, however, tonight's loss ends their slim hopes of qualifying from the "Group of Death" for another year in a competition they have never progressed from the first stage.

Ownership rivals Coventry - having been beaten 4-2 in Braehead last night despite facing just 11 shots - took the lead through Luke Fulghum in the first but were pegged back by Jereme Tendler four minutes into the second.

New Blaze signing Dustin Wood then put the home side back into the lead before a quick fire double from Owen Fussey and Shea Guthrie extended their lead to 4-1.

Having been deprived of secondary scoring for much of the year, the Stingrays finally received some help offensively last night as Matty Davies and Dominic Osman recorded their first and second goals of the season and that continued tonight as Jack Watkins bagged his first of the season on the powerplay, ably assisted by Osman and Davies.

Once again though the shorthanded Stingrays - again without Ryan Lake, Tristan Harper and Derek Campbell - fell some way short of their opponents, particularly defensively as they allowed 50+ shots on netminder Christian Boucher for the second Sunday in a row.

The Stingrays performed somewhat admirably in somewhat tough circumstances this weekend, however, with the losing streak now at six games and few visible improvements on-ice, the pressure continues to mount on both coaches and playing staff.

The next four fixtures sees Cloutier's men take on Dundee, Edinburgh, Braehead and Fife in a welcome change from the opening month and a half of the season - in which they have faced the other bottom sides just twice.

Needless to say results and performances are a must for each and every player.

Match Highlights: Excel Hull Stingrays 2-3 Nottingham Panthers

2011-10-16T18:16:00.003+01:00

Panthers claw second tight win over Stingrays

2011-10-15T22:15:00.001+01:00

Excel Hull Stingrays 2 - 3 Nottingham Panthers

The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight once again found themselves on the wrong side of a 3-2 scoreline against the Nottingham Panthers at the Hull Arena, losing out to a Marc Levers second period goal.

Beginning the match minus a full forward line - with Ryan Lake and Tristan Harper sidelined through injury and Derek Campbell serving the second of a three match suspension - the Stingrays began the game with Kingston Jets forward Andy Ward, 16 year old Bobby Chamberlain and defenceman Dan Scott spread throughout their top three forward lines.

Despite drafting in replacements to make up for the short bench, it was soon clear that it would be a lack of quality bodies and certainly not a lack of hard work that would cost the Rays in the long term.

The Panthers opened the scoring with a moment of sheer genius from forward Jordan Fox, who dipsy-doodled around defenceman Dmitri Rodin having picked up the puck from a Stingrays giveaway, neatly slotting home shorthanded past Christian Boucher after four minutes.

The visitors deservedly doubled that lead on 17 minutes, a routine powerplay one timer from the blueline by David Clarke finding twine as Nottingham's deep bench took a two goal lead into the second and certainly didn't look like letting up.

Stingrays forward Dominic Osman - having easily his best all around game in a Stingrays jersey yet, just days after coach Sylvain Cloutier publicly stated he and Campbell needed to step up offensively - then got the home side on the board, robbing the puck from Nottingham player-coach Corey Neilson before ghosting in on Craig Kowalski to delightfully fire home and halve the Panthers lead shorthanded.

Somehow heading into the third the home team found themselves still in a game that, based on offensive cohesion, they had no right to be in. Still, work rate and an all in attitude to defence saw them just one goal down, though Marc Levers extended the Panthers lead to two with an easy backdoor finish on a two-on-one which materialised as a result of another Rays turnover in their own end.

The home team continued to battle however, and a very well worked powerplay opportunity between Matty Davies, Osman and Cloutier, saw Davies all alone in front to net his second of the year on a feed from behind after 49 minutes to cut the deficit to one once again.

That would be as close as the Stingrays would come though as they tried to no avail to snatch a point in the final ten minutes that their workrate deserved but their performance in comparison to the Panthers did not.

Cloutier looked thoroughly displeased with his side after they went into the first intermission 2-0 down and, at that point, the odds for player changes next week looked short. Still, an improved second and third period and yet another tight result against a top four side with three players missing will be encouraging to him. Still, critics will say that merely papers over the cracks which - despite the work rate - were once again visible tonight.

The Rays boss takes his team to Coventry tomorrow night in an effective dead rubber in Challenge Cup Group B with qualification for both sides unlikely.

Perhaps crucially, after tomorrow nights game the Rays play Scottish quartet Edinburgh, Dundee, Braehead and Fife. Whether he makes changes before these games in order to create momentum or waits to see what his team can produce in fixtures against their so called bottom five mini-league remains to be see.

Changes do seem more likely than not at present - though only if Cloutier can find the right player or players available, as he did last year, miraculously bringing in veteran Drew Bannister for young Latvian Kriss Grundmanis.

Rays Rating

FBB Three Stars

1 - Dominic Osman (1+1)

2 - Sam McCluskey (0+0)

3 - Christian Boucher (29 saves)

Four without success for Rays in Dundee

2011-10-09T21:06:00.003+01:00

Dundee Stars 3 - 1 Excel Hull Stingrays

The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight made it four games, four losses in Dundee, losing out to the Stars for the first time this season - going down by three goals to one - to add to three defeats there on Tayside last season.

Having run the league leading Belfast Giants close last night at the Hull Arena, the Stingrays were expected to be in with a shout of their second victory of the 11/12 campaign.

However, a strong first period showing from the Stars saw them outshoot Sylvain Cloutier's team 19-10 and lead 1-0, from an Alan Mazur point shot, and the home side did not look back from there on.

Though the shot count against the Rays - who were without Derek Campbell after he received a match penalty last night - continued to rise rapidly in the second and throughout the game, Jereme Tendler was able to level the scoreline after 37 minutes on one of just six shots in the period - handing Jack Watkins his first point as a Stingray along the way.

However, despite the late second period goal the Stars persevered into the third, netting through player-coach Dan Ceman and American Jarrett Konkle to deservedly claim their first two points of the league season and leapfrog the Stingrays into seventh place.

One positive for the night was netminder Christian Boucher - who deservedly picked up the Stingrays Man of the Match award having turned away a staggering 56 Dundee shots - on what was an off night for Sylvain Cloutier's side - who are now four games without a win for the second time this season.

It seems to be a constant week-to-week struggle for consistent performances for Cloutier and the Stingrays, and there are no let ups next weekend as they take on Nottingham at home in the league before travelling in Coventry in the Challenge Cup.

Match Highlights: Excel Hull Stingrays 3-4 Belfast Giants

2011-10-09T16:42:00.000+01:00

Giant effort from Stingrays not enough to hold back Belfast

2011-10-09T00:03:00.002+01:00

Excel Hull Stingrays 3 - 4 Belfast Giants

The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight went down by four goals to three to Elite Ice Hockey League leaders the Belfast Giants despite having lead 3-1 after 24 minutes thanks to three powerplay goals.

The special teams, and particularly the man advantage, has perhaps been the brightest spot for the Stingrays during their opening seven league games this term and the first 24 minutes would go a long way to proving that.

The tone for a penalty strewn first period was set just six seconds in, Stingrays Derek Campbell and Belfast enforcer Adam Keefe dropping the gloves from opening face-off in a fairly uneventful fight which the league leaders man may have edged.

What followed that opening tussle was a seemingly unstoppable procession to the penalty box as referee Andy Carson dished out an incredible 35 minutes to Belfast and 17 to the Stingrays in the opening 20 minutes - 14 of those going to the Giants Ryan Crane.

Given their clinical ability on the powerplay so far this season, this favoured the home side as they raced into a deserved two-goal lead after 16 minutes.

For once the Stingrays were afforded the opportunity of a good start in the frantic opening minutes, Jason Silverthorn rifling one past an unsighted Stephen Murphy in the Belfast net after 2.45 - on a goal that gave Tristan Harper his first point in a Stingrays jersey.

Campbell then added to his earlier fight with a deserved first goal for the Stingrays - tipping in a unconvincing blueline shot from Dmitri Rodin to double the lead.

With the intermission of an entertaining period closing in the home team leaked a crucial goal to the Giants, Martin Ondrej losing the puck in his own end before Brock McBride ghosted into as the extra man to halve the lead with less than 20 seconds left on the clock.

Save for the late goal, the Stingrays continued the second as they had ended the first, though former Steeler and new Belfast signing Robert Dowd missed what appeared to be an open goal sitter three minutes in.

Silverthorn then added his second of the night and fifth of the season on the Stingrays third powerplay goal of the evening, again firing past Murphy to restore the two goal lead having been set up by a move from Frantisek Bakrlik which saw two Giants nearly collide mid-ice.

Though it is fair to say their ability on the powerplay had, at this stage, somewhat helped them into a two-goal lead at, the Stingrays had been more than competing with the reigning playoff champions.

That was until the 25th minute, immediately following what would be their last goal, when the Giants turned up the pressure and forced the Stingrays into their own end, sustaining that pressure continuously for the first time in the game.

It is no coincidence that the Giants first real period of superiority came at a time when they were finally, for the first time in the game, at full strength.

Following Ondrej's earlier mistake for Belfast's opener, it was two further defensive mistakes combined with the Giants unrelenting offence that forced the visitors back into the game as the Rays continually struggled to clear their lines.

First McBride added his eighth of the season and second of the game, profiting from captain Joshua Mizerek losing the puck in the corner. Then, both Dominic Osman and Dan Scott failed to fire the puck out of the defensive end, allowing Beniot Doucet to level the game for the Northern Irish side - much to the dismay of Osman, who proceeded to smash his stick on the bar of Christian Boucher's net, frustrated at letting the game slip from the Rays grasp.

Having weathered the majority of a whirlwind Belfast storm, the Stingrays may have perhaps been thankful to have been heading into the final stanza level and not behind. If the first period belonged to the home side thanks to the man advantage, the second saw Belfast's superiority five-on-five come to the fore.

The deciding point in the final stanza, and indeed the game, came nearly ten minutes into the third. Stingrays agitator Campbell compounded an eventful night and a generally good all-around performance with a moment of madness.

The 31 year old reacted badly to a big hip-check from Daryll Lloyd in the corner, hitting his stick against the plexi and firing verbals the way of referee Carson for his lack of call - to which Carson dished out a 10 minute penalty for abuse of official - before being handed a five plus match penalty for excessive roughness after frustratedly throwing a number of gloved punches at Lloyd.

That foolish penalty gave the Giants a five minute powerplay which they would capitalise upon for the first time in the game, netting what would turn out to be the game winning goal through defenceman Jeff Mason on a rebound four minutes into the advantage, after the Rays had impressively and easily killed 80% of the powerplay.

From this point on the Giants shut up shop and with less than six minutes remaining the home team found it tough to break down Doug Christiansen's side - unsurprisingly five-on-five - as the away side claimed a hard fought win for the second time in two weeks at Hull Arena.

Sylvain Cloutier's side may have yet again failed to finish off a top four side - as they did last week against Nottingham - and admittedly struggled against the Giants in that even strength period in the second, however, the positives more than outweigh those few negatives.

The Stingrays are continually referred to by people outside the club as a hard working team and eventually this hard work will surely pay off for the club after a tough early season schedule.

Naturally, there are areas of their game that can - and probably will - be improved. Defensively, three of four Belfast goals came from defensive turnovers in their own end. Offensively, the much mooted lack of depth is a problem, with most of the offensive reliance on Silverthorn, Rodin and Jereme Tendler, though this certainly shouldn't be a terminal problem, at least at this stage.

It is indeed, far too easy to focus on the negatives, particularly against a team like Belfast that boasts so much firepower and should be there or there abouts when the season comes to a close.

On the other side of things, tonight's improvements alongside last week's performance prove it is not impossible for the club to compete with the top teams, and also show Cloutier and team are getting to a level of performance they will be happy with, even if wins are not forthcoming.

While team work ethic, Silverthorn, Rodin, Tendler and netminder Boucher - who continues to defy early season critics - are amongst the other numerous positives, it has to be said the all around performance has improved three fold in the week since a demoralising 6-0 loss in Sheffield.

The Stingrays meet just their second none top five side of the season tomorrow night as they travel to Dundee to take on the Stars - who have lost all five of their opening league games, two in overtime.

Rays Rating

FBB Three Stars

1 - Jason Silverthorn (2+1)

2 - Christian Boucher (33 saves)

3 - Dmitir Rodin (0+3)

Match Highlights: Excel Hull Stingrays 2-3 Nottingham Panthers

2011-10-04T20:40:00.001+01:00

Match Highlights: Sheffield Steelers 6-0 Excel Hull Stingrays

2011-10-04T20:35:00.000+01:00

Stingrays bounce back in tight loss

2011-10-02T20:58:00.001+01:00

Excel Hull Stingrays 2 - 3 Nottingham Panthers

The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight bounced back from a moral sapping 6-0 defeat in Sheffield with a confidence inspiring tight 3-2 loss to the Nottingham Panthers in Challenge Cup Group B.

Desperate for a performance after a season changing 60 minutes in Sheffield, the Stingrays were narrowly outshot 14-13 in a first period that saw Derek Campbell ejected with a 5 plus game for a check from behind.

The scoresheet kicked into life in the second period, Frantisek Bakrlik netting the Rays 12th powerplay goal of the season before Matt Francis levelled with a shorthanded goal for the visitors.

The Rays once again lept into the lead 46 seconds into the third, defenceman Dmitri Rodin bagging his third goal in four games and the home sides second man advantage marker of the game.

Again, the Panthers bounced back however, Scott Champagne leveling four-on-four before a slapshot from player-coach Corey Neilson proved the difference in a tight 3-2 win for his side.

After the hysterical outcry following the thrashing in Sheffield, it was a much improved performance from the Stingrays who proved they can play with anyone on any given night, as the peppered Craig Kowalski in the Nottingham net with 35 shots, ultimately falling agonisingly short in an entertaining but even encounter.

This defeat appears to have effectively ended any slim hopes of the Rays qualifying from the Challenge Cup group of death which contains Nottingham, Sheffield, Cardiff and Coventry - all league contenders in their own right. Though this may not necessarily be a bad thing, allowing the club to focus on league play while utilising the remaining five fixtures as practice, somewhat free of the pressure of competitive cup action..

Next weekend Sylvain Cloutier's return to league action as they on high flying league favourites Belfast at the Hull Arena before travelling to Dundee to face Dan Ceman's Stars - who remain winless this term.

FBB Three Stars

1 - Christian Boucher (36 saves)

2 - Dominic Osman (0+0)

3 - Sylvain Cloutier (0+0)

Stingrays shut out and hit for six in Sheffield

2011-10-01T22:33:00.001+01:00

Sheffield Steelers 6 - 0 Excel Hull Stingrays

In their poorest showing of a disappointing season so far, the Excel Hull Stingrays were tonight embarrassingly hit for six - for the fourth time this term - and shut out - for the first time this season - by Yorkshire rivals the Sheffield Steelers.

Perennially slow starters, the Stingrays were in trouble after just one minute.

A big hit from Martin Ondrej behind his own net left Sheffield defenceman Chad Huttel seeing stars and the Slovakian heading to the bin for a clear elbow. Mike Ramsey capitalising on the ensuing powerplay, rifling in off the post for the games opening goal and a 1-0 Sheffield lead.

A mid-ice mix up from Rays forwards then turned the puck over to the Steelers, and allowed Ashley Tait to tap home and double the reigning champions lead - an assist going to Lee Esders. Esders former team failing to compete in all areas at this point.

Though the Rays showed their first signs of life following the goal on 12 minutes, the Steelers relentless and clinical play afforded the visitors no time to get into the game.

A lovely team move, which started behind their own net, saw numerous pinpoint passes up the ice and was finished off in front by Neil Clark, typical of what the Steelers were doing so right and the Stingrays doing so wrong as they extended their lead to three.

Though the Rays came out and showed some fight in the second, notably as Dominic Osman dropped the gloves with Sheffield's Matt Stephenson, there was little more to be positive about heading into the final stanza three goal's down.

Still, for the first time the Stingrays forced sustained pressure on the Steelers net at the beginning of the third but failed to capitalise on their possession before, typically, the home side rushed up the ice and bagged their fourth through Tait's second of the game.

Poor positioning from captain Joshua Mizerek as the Steelers attacked once again then allowed Ramsey to bag his second of the game after Boucher had made the initial save before player-coach Ryan Finnerty completed the rout at 6-0 with a finish on a clinical break.

The Stingrays were, it goes without saying, convincingly beaten.

At the best the defence was scrambled collapsing on top of helpless netminder Boucher - who was hung out to dry - while the offence - believed to be one of the team's strong points - was unsurprisingly shut out for the first time this season, forcing shots that hit bodies in front or missed the target completely due to a lack of creativity - an all too familiar story.

Even the man advantage, which has been very good this season, failed to turn up effectively. Mid-ice collisions with team mates, miscontrolled passes and all around lack of on-ice chemistry summed up the other main areas of concern.

Naturally, there were few positives.

Derek Campbell - clearly wanting to perform well against his former side, stood out for his work rate, though most of the time this did not translate into sustained offence. Boucher couldn't have performed much better with what was at his disposal, while Jason Silverthorn and Dmitri Rodin were the best of a bad bunch up front and at the back.

It would be easy to sweep the game under the carpet as a one off because the reigning EIHL champion Steelers were the opposition. Good as they were, there are deeper problems in the Stingrays camp, most concerning of all is the lack of cohesion throughout the ranks.

More hard work and, dare it be suggested, changes, may soon be required.

Of course, a positive performance against Nottingham, albeit in the Challenge Cup, may go a distance to erasing the memory of tonight's drubbing

Rays Rating

FBB Three Stars

1 - Derek Campbell (0+0)

2 - Jason Silverthorn (0+0)

3 - Christian Boucher (24 saves)

Match Highlights: Excel Hull Stingrays 3 - 2 Fife Flyers (SO)

2011-09-26T19:16:00.001+01:00

Dismal Stingrays claim first win over hardworking Flyers

2011-09-25T22:24:00.003+01:00

Excel Hull Stingrays 3 - 2 Fife Flyers (SO)

The Excel Hull Stingrays were tonight extremely lucky to claim their first win of the 11/12 EIHL campaign, finally persevering over a resilient and hardworking Fife Flyers side by three goals to two by way of a shootout.

Facing each other for the first time in almost exactly six years, the two sides came into the game looking for their first league wins of the season, although last night the visitors beat Edinburgh 3-2 in the Challenge Cup.

Similarly to local rivals Dundee last season, the Flyers have had a baptism of fire in their opening EIHL fixtures this season but settled into this fixture early, holding their own in the opening stages.

Nevertheless, eight minutes in Jereme Tendler netted the Stingrays tenth powerplay goal of the season, after Derek Campbell fluffed his one time shot, to give the home side a lead that most assumed would be the first in a routine win.

Though as the period wore on, the plucky Flyers showed it would be nowhere near that easy as they chipped away at a sloppy, scrappy and incoherent Stingrays side.

As they had during stages of opening period, Sylvain Cloutier's Stingrays began the second period well on top, dominating their opponents for nearly ten minutes only to come away with nothing after a series of shots blocked or fired wide - the latter an all too unwelcome theme this season.

That dominance was only broken up by a counter-attack that saw Steve Gunn ring a shot off the cross-bar.

That proved to be a warning shot for the Rays though, as Gunn - moments after a Jason Silverthorn hooking penalty had expired - shot past netminder Christian Boucher to level the scores and shock the home crowd.

Three minutes later - on a Frantisek Bakrlik penalty - Silverthorn was handed the chance to make amends for taking what turned out to be a costly penalty but could not convert a shorthanded breakaway on Fife's ever solid netminder Garrett Zemlak - though this would be one of his final actions in the game.

Zemlak - seeing Stingrays forward Derek Campbell go unpenalised for an apparent late check on the buzzer on teammate Chris Wands - pounced on the Rays agitator and was swiftly kicked out of the game on the second period buzzer with a 5+ match penalty for excessive roughness.

Though that could have been a big turning point, the Flyers had other ideas. With Blair Daly replacing the Canadian between the posts, the visitors continued to play their tough, hard working game.

Even after defenceman Dmitri Rodin - the Rays deserved man of the match - had rifled home a shot from the top of the circle for his third of the season on Daly's first shot of the match, the Flyers looked unperturbed.

Continuing with the kind of work ethic and attitude that the home team should themselves have carried from the off, the Flyers almost inevitably leveled - albeit after Martin Ondrej had hit the post searching for a goal that could have potentially killed the game off.

Import Matt Cohen's shot from the point redirected home by player-coach Todd Duitaume on the powerplay for his first ever Elite League goal and the game tying goal.

Despite a lot of huffing and puffing from the Stingrays - as well as a surefire game winning miss from Derek Campbell at the backdoor - the last ten minutes passed without a deciding goal and the game moved into overtime with both sides claiming their first league points.

Overtime saw the Rays re-assume their dominance on the game, as Fife looked to accept that their best chance of claiming the extra point lay in penalty shots, but despite asserted pressure could not find the game winner.

Rodin eventually proved to be the hero once more, firing five hole past Daly in sudden death with his third attempt - after Tendler and Stewart had earlier cancelled each other out - to thankfully give the Rays their long awaited first win of the season.

To say that the result solely came down to the Stingrays underperforming does a massive disservice to Fife, who executed a near perfect game plan given the resources at their disposal this early in their first EIHL season and worked as hard as any team has in the Hull Arena in recent times. Though it has to be said, despite the win, the Rays overall performance was poor.

Cloutier undoubtedly now has a big job on his hands after a disjointed performance. Luckily for him it is still early in the season and the Stingrays, despite their many flaws, somehow still managed to claim the two points.

Though the large credit in this game must go to Duitaume's side for a remarkable performance in the Flyers long awaited return to Hull.

The unrelenting EIHL fixture list continues next weekend with a now all the more daunting double header against Sheffield and Nottingham, in the league and Challenge Cup respectively.

Rays Rating

FBB Three Stars

1 - Dmitri Rodin (1+0)

2 - Christian Boucher (23 saves)

3 - Bobby Chamberlain (0+0)

Cardiff continue Stingrays dominance

2011-09-24T22:16:00.003+01:00

Cardiff Devils 4 - 2 Excel Hull Stingrays

The Cardiff Devils continued their superiority over the Excel Hull Stingrays in South Wales tonight, adding to last season's nine wins in ten fixtures with a 4-2 victory in the Challenge Cup.

Sylvain Cloutier's Stingrays, taking on the Devils for the first time in 11/12, emerged from a quiet first period still level in an unusual scoreless period which saw them kill of three hooking penalties.

The home side soon got on the board in the second period however, Brad Voth hitting his third of the year before Estonian Dmitri Rodin netted his second goal in two games for the Stingrays, going coast-to-coast at the blue tent to level the scores.

A Scott Dobben double either side of the second intermission, the latter shorthanded, then gave Gerad Adams' Devils a 3-1 lead before Ben Davies scored his first of the season to increase Cardiff's lead to three.

Jereme Tendler then recorded his fourth of the year - to add to the 50 he scored last season - on the powerplay to give the Rays hope. They couldn't find any more offence though as the Devils closed the game out at 4-2 having out shot the Stingrays 41-28. The defeat condemning them to their second Challenge Cup loss of this year's competition following the 6-2 loss in Nottingham on Wednesday.

The Rays return to action tomorrow night against the Fife Flyers, who recorded their first win in the EIHL tonight beating Edinburgh Capitals 3-2, for the two sides first meeting in six years.

Stingrays skid extended to five

2011-09-21T22:35:00.002+01:00

Nottingham Panthers 6 - 2 Excel Hull Stingrays

The Excel Hull Stingrays tough start to the season continued tonight as they conceded six goals for the third time in five games, going down by four goals to Nottingham Panthers in a doubled up league and Challenge Cup group fixture.

The Stingrays - without Jack Watkins and Ryan Lake - conceded yet another early goal, David-Alexandre Beauregard netting a powerplay marker six minutes in at the Trent FM Arena.

New Nottingham import Matt Francis then added an unassisted tally to double the Panthers lead before the Rays finally got on the board. Jereme Tendler - who appears to have begun where he left off last season - notching his third of the season at the backdoor on the powerplay as the Rays good fortune on the man advantage continued at 17.22.

Having grown into the game in the first period, eventually ending on top, the Rays leaked goals to player-coach Corey Neilson and young Brit Robert Lachowicz in the middle period, setting them back three goals from one of the favouirtes for the Elite League title.

Reigning Challenge Cup champions Nottingham would begin the third under pressure from their visitors but withheld that pressure, going on to fire two further goals past Rays keeper Boucher through Jeff Heerema and David Clarke.

Mid-way through the third both sides rested starting keepers Boucher and Craig Kowalski - with Ben Bowns making his league debut for the Rays - before Frantisek Bakrlik scored the Rays second powerplay goal of the game - a consolation goal - to settle the score at 6-2.

After claiming just one point in five fixtures against four of the EIHL's big four to open the 11/12 EIHL campaign, the Stingrays face last year's runners-up Cardiff Devils in the Challenge Cup on Saturday before taking on EIHL newcomers Fife Flyers in Hull on Sunday.

Match Highlights: Excel Hull Stingrays 2-3 Coventy Blaze (OT)

2011-09-19T17:24:00.001+01:00

Point no consolation for Rays in fourth consecutive loss

2011-09-18T21:59:00.000+01:00

Excel Hull Stingrays 2-3 Coventry Blaze (OT)

The Excel Hull Stingrays were tonight handed their fourth loss of the season at home to the Coventry Blaze, claiming their first point of the year before going down to a John Gordon powerplay overtime goal.

For the third time in four 11/12 games the Stingrays conceded a goal in the opening five minutes, Brit Robert Farmer racing the length of the ice after Dan Scott lost the puck on his offensive blueline to fire in off netminder Christian Boucher's pipework after three minutes.

Already without Jack Watkins, the Stingrays then lost fellow British forward Ryan Lake early on and that forced Cloutier to shuffle his pack, handing 16 year old Bobby Chamberlain significant ice-time alongside Derek Campbell and Jason Silverthorn.

Nevertheless, after losing their second player of the season, the Rays scored an unlikely equaliser as the period neared a close. Jason Silverthorn firing home his third of the year and the team's fourth powerplay goal of the weekend into a virtually unguarded net on a rebound from a Jereme Tendler shot from a ridiculously acute angle that left Blaze keeper Hirsch way out of position.

Despite facing 11 shots fewer than Boucher in the game, former Danish international Hirsch came up big for the Blaze on a number of ocassions in the last two periods, notably making a brilliant glove save on a Dominic Osman-Tendler two-on-one that would have handed the Rays a lead on 27 minutes. He would later deservedly be named Blaze Man of the Match by sponsors.

After a relatively poor opening period, the home side were slowly but surely growing into the game, however, it was the Blaze that would strike next.

Greg Owen prodding the puck home in a mad scramble moments after Stingrays defenceman Martin Ondrej had lined up and chased a mid-ice hit that ominously failed to materialise. The event left him crucially way out of position and Coventry capitalise, souring a good period for Sylvain Cloutier's men.

Facing their fourth defeat in four opening 11/12 games, the Stingrays once again came out flat at the beginning of the third, however, in contrast to the previous three fixtures managed to up their game as the period wore on.

Duly the Rays leveled for the second time, six minutes into the third as Estonian defenceman Dmitri Rodin - who put in a very good all around performance - found himself in an unusual position on a shorthanded breakaway to fire through Hirsch's five-hole.

The Stingrays took control of the game after the goal but couldn't find a way past the Blaze keeper despite numerous chances but a Tendler hooking penalty - which prevented a sure-fire game winning chance for the Paul Thompson's side with seconds left - eventually proved costly as the game moved into overtime.

While the Rays had claimed their first point of the year, all hope of laying claim to their first win of the season ended seconds into the first, big blueliner John Gordon netting the game winning overtime goal on the man advantage to give the Blaze a four point weekend.

Cloutier's team undoubtedly deserved more from this game as well as the weekend on the whole, though untimely penalties, mistakes and poor finishing at crucial times ultimately cost them any chance of claiming more once again, as it would on any given weekend in this or any other season.

Evidentally, they learnt their lesson from the previous night when they were unlucky not to have the lead heading into the third only to collapse in the final stanza, incidentally as they did the previous week at home to Sheffield. Nevertheless, they still failed to put in the full package tonight and, while the season is still early yet, the Rays have a right to feel wholly unsatisfied with a one point return from four league games.

They return to action on Wednesday night, taking on Nottingham Panthers - who have gone 4-0 in their first four games - in both the league and cup, before facing Cardiff in the cup on Saturday and Fife in the league a week today.

Rays Rating

FBB Three Stars

1- Dmitri Rodin (1+0)

2- Christian Boucher (37 saves)

3- Dominic Osman (0+0)

Unlucky Stingrays go down fighting

2011-09-17T22:41:00.001+01:00

Coventry Blaze 6-3 Excel Hull Stingrays

The Excel Hull Stingrays shipped more than five goals for the third successive game of the season tonight, going down by six goals to three against ownership rivals Coventry Blaze in a match-up that also saw three fights.

The two sides entered the fixture on the back of opposing opening weekend's - in which Paul Thompson's men easily beat newcomers Fife twice and the Stingrays dropped their matches with Belfast and Sheffield - having faced each other a month ago in pre-season and tonight they played out a tightly fought encounter.

Coventry's Owen Fussey was the first person to get his name on the scoresheet, firing into a virtually empty net at the back door on a 5-on-3 powerplay to give the home team the lead as Rays indiscipline cost them dear, as it did seven days earlier.

They fought back however, scoring a powerplay goal of their own moments later, Frantisek Bakrlik one-timing home in front of Blaze keeper Peter Hirsch.

Seconds after the restart Rays power forward Derek Campbell and Blaze tough guy Bryan Jurynec then dropped the gloves in the first of three fights on the night, trading punches in an even but entertaining fight.

The first notable activity of the second period saw Brits Tristan Harper and Robert Farmer drop the gloves, in a marginal fight in which Harper managed to connect with few punches.

After hitting the post on a shorthanded breakaway earlier in the game and also spurning two other early second period chances, Jereme Tendler netted his second of the season on the powerplay to give the Rays the lead with Hirsch sprawling, only for Shea Guthrie to reply and level the scores minutes later.

The Rays ended the second period on top, pressuring the home side into their own zone but would later come to regret not taking their chances and making that pressure count as the Blaze came back strongly in the third period.

Luke Fulghum gave Coventry the lead early in the first with their second powerplay goal of the game before Matty Davies quickly equalised with his first of the year, prodding home from close in for the Rays third man advantage goal of the night after being set up by player-coach Sylvain Cloutier behind the net.

Though momentum at that point was in favour of the Stingrays, the Blaze regained the lead through Fussey's second on 49 minutes and he completed his hat-trick later on after an Aaron Nell goal and Bakrlik and former Stingray Dave Phillips dropped the gloves, sealing the scoreline very harshly in favour of the Blaze at 6-3.

The two sides meet again tomorrow night in Hull for the fourth fixture between the two sides of 11/12.

Match Highlights: Stingrays 2-6 Sheffield Steelers

2011-09-12T18:21:00.000+01:00

Stingrays go pointless in opening weekend

2011-09-11T22:11:00.005+01:00

Hull Stingrays 2 - 6 Sheffield Steelers

The Excel Hull Stingrays endured an unsuccessful opening weekend of their league campaign, losing 2-6 at home to the Sheffield Steelers, following their away defeat to Belfast.

In a game marred by penalties, the Steelers took advantage of a slow start to the game from the home side, with man of the match Neil Clark on hand to open the scoring at 2.52.

No further scoring took place in the first period, with 8 minor penalties creating a disjointed feel to the game.

The second period began quietly, before the Steelers' offence took control. Jason Hewitt found the net at 28.19, before player-coach Ryan Finnerty tipped in another Hewitt shot on the powerplay at 30.15.

Seemingly dead and buried at 0-3, the Stingrays showed character to get back in the game, with 2 goals from Jason Silverthorn in the space of 5 minutes making it 2-3 at the end of the second period.

The Stingrays began the final stanza with cause for optimism, but their attacking approach ultimately meant that gaps were available for the Steelers to exploit. Jeff Legue blasted a powerplay shot high past Boucher in the Hull goal at 50.03, making it 2-4.

Opportunities continued to flow for the Steelers, with Colt King and Neil Clark both converting chances, with Boucher forced out of position by skilled passing moves.

Shortly after the sixth goal, Stingrays forward Tristan Harper challenged Jason Hewitt to a fight, with Hewitt accepting. Neither player appeared to significantly connect with their opponent, and Harper was unceremoniously dumped to the ground, bringing a swift end to the bout.

With the home side thoroughly beaten, the final minutes of the game were played out with little intensity.

Once again the Sheffield Steelers appear to have formed an efficient, clinical side that will no doubt challenge for honours this season.

The Stingrays showed glimpses of promise in parts of the game, but with their rhythm halted by many minor penalties, the Steelers were able to exploit spaces left by the home side's defence.

Rays Rating
6

FBB Three Stars
1- Jason Silverthorn (2+0)
2- Derek Campbell (0+2)
3- Christian Boucher (35 shots, 6 goals against)

Stingrays fall to Giants in Elite League opener

2011-09-09T22:43:00.003+01:00

Belfast Giants 5 - 3 Excel Hull Stingrays

After a successful preseason, the Excel Hull Stingrays were defeated in their opening Elite League fixture, losing 5-3 away to the Belfast Giants.

The Giants started the game confidently, and went ahead through new signing Brock McBride at 3.31 in the first period.

A swift reply came from the Stingrays, equalizing just 2 minutes later with Dominic Osman on target.

The Stingrays were to finish the period 2-1 down, with Robert Dowd converting a powerplay opportunity at 17.32.

Misery ensued for Sylvain Cloutier's team as they leaked a further 2 goals in the second period without reply; Craig Peacock (21.52) and Jeff Mason (34.11) each bagging an even-handed goal.

Late on in the second period, Giants forward Ryan Keefe took exception to a check from Martin Ondrej, and the Belfast player dropped the gloves with the Slovakian, winning convincingly.

The Stingrays began the third period in the same fashion as the previous periods, again conceding an early goal, this time from Benoit Doucet at 42.32.

At 5-1 early in the third period, it appeared that the Stingrays would leave Northern Ireland on the back of a heavy defeat.

They did rally however, and goals from Jereme Tendler and Josh Mizerek made it 5-3 on the night with twelve minutes left in the game.

This was as close as the Stingrays would get, with Belfast's solid defence ensuring that no further goalscoring oppotunities arose.

Dominic Osman received a game misconduct for abuse of official after protesting a slashing call given to him at 58.00.

Though a 5-3 defeat to Belfast is not a terrible result, it was apparent that Hull's defencemen could not keep up with some of the speedy Giants forwards, who at times glided past them as if they did not exist.

The game will no doubt serve as something of a reality check to any fans that were previously unaware of the quality of opposition teams in the Elite League this year.

The Stingrays will face another tough test in the form of the Sheffield Steelers, who they take on this Sunday at the Hull Arena.

P&O Cup Winners!

2011-09-04T20:15:00.006+01:00

Excel Hull Stingrays 7 - 1 Geleen Smoke Eaters

The Excel Hull Stingrays successfully defended the P&O Cup by annihilating Geleen Smoke Eaters 7-1.

Goals from Derek Campbell (2), Daniel Scott, Dominic Osman, Dmitri Rodin, Matty Davies and Jereme Tendler made for an emphatic victory at the Coventry Skydome.

The result was a particularly pleasing one given that the Smoke Eaters had already shown that they were a solid team, having pulled off a surprise 3-2 victory against Coventry Blaze the day before.

The game marked the end of a hugely successful warm-up campaign for Sylvain Cloutier's team, going unbeaten in all 5 matches.

In total, the Stingrays scored a total of 27 goals and conceded just 12.

The team move into Friday's Elite League game against the Belfast Giants knowing that they are significantly more prepared this season than they were in last season's 'baptism of fire' opener against the Cardiff Devils.

Stingrays Shut Tilburg's Trapp

2011-09-03T19:46:00.007+01:00

Hull Stingrays 8 - 2 Tilburg Trappers

The Excel Hull Stingrays dominated a feisty P&O Cup game against Tilburg Trappers at the Coventry Skydome.

It was the Dutch side that got off to the better start, leading 0-2 at one stage, however the Stingrays scored a stunning 8 goals without reply.

The Stingrays' goals game from Jereme Tendler (3), man of the match Derek Campbell (2), Sylvain Cloutier, Jason Silverthorn and Ryan Lake.

A total of 3 fights occurred throughout the game, involving Dominic Osman, Sylvain Cloutier and Dmitry Rodin.

Spoils even in Steeldogs encounter

2011-08-31T15:35:00.001+01:00

Sheffield Steeldogs 5 - 5 Hull Stingrays

The Excel Hull Stingrays received a thorough test in their third warm-up match of the season, resulting in an incident-packed 5-5 tie against the Sheffield Steeldogs.

The Stingrays, missing the injured Jack Watkins, began the scoring at iceSheffield with an unassisted goal from Jason Silverthorn.

Early on in the first period, Stingrays starting netminder Christian Boucher left the ice after needing stitches to a facial injury, with backup Andy Brummitt taking his place for the remainder of the game.

At 09.09, Stingrays forward Derek Campbell was given a match penalty for spearing, with Steeldogs Brit Greg Wood receiving a ten minute misconduct penalty at the same time.

The Steeldogs equalized at 11.30 through talented Latvian Janis Ozolins, and then fellow countryman Edgars Bebris gave the home side the lead at 16.31, with former Stingray Pavel Gomenyuk picking up an assist.

The Stingrays tied the game at 2-2 early on in the second period, with Dominic Osman firing home at 21.27.

This appeared to unsettle the home side, and the Stingrays punished them with 2 powerplay goals at 23.09 and 33.05, both from reprieved forward Matty Davies.

An immediate response from the Steeldogs came at 34.41 when Chris Sykes scored to make it 3-4, showing that Andre Payette’s EPL side will be no pushovers this season.

The Stingrays swiftly restored their two goal lead however, with Sam McCluskey’s shot from the point finding a way past Ben Bowns in the Steeldogs net at 35.38.

A goal from Greg Wood at 38.08 pulled the Steeldogs right back into the game, setting up the third period nicely.

After just fourteen seconds of the final period the Steeldogs drew level, with Ozolins rounding off the night’s scoring to make it 5-5 at the final buzzer.

Stingrays and Blaze tie pre-season round two

2011-08-28T22:32:00.001+01:00

Coventry Blaze 2-2 Excel Hull Stingrays

A night after recording a fairly comprehensive 5-2 win over ownership rivals Coventry Blaze in their opening pre-season game, the Excel Hull Stingrays forced a 2-2 tie at the Skydome in Coventry in the reverse fixture.

Once again at full strength, the Rays were looking to build from a positive result on home ice and soon carried that opening pre-season performance over, taking the lead through captain Joshua Mizerek's first in the blue and yellow after little more than six minutes.

They doubled that lead eight minutes into the second period, Slovakian defenceman Martin Ondrej beating Jonathan Weaver high up on a Blaze man advantage to force a shorthanded two-on-one chance. The Slovakian setting up coach and former Coventry player Sylvain Cloutier, who managed to slide the puck home under a sprawling Peter Hirsch. The goal being the Stingrays second two-on-one shorthanded goal in two games against the Blaze following Frantisek Bakrlik's shorty the previous night.

At the halfway point in the game British prospect Ben Bowns - on a two-way deal with the Stingrays from Sheffield Steeldogs - replaced the impressive Christian Boucher between the pipes for his debut and he was regularly tested.

In general the Sheffield youngster - who is thought to have a bright future in the game - performed admirably in his first appearance at Elite League level. A very good side-to-side save close in was quickly followed by a healthy slice of luck as an attempted glove save flew high in the air and landed inches from the goal line before being quickly cleared from his crease, the rebound instantly returned but again luckily hitting the post.

Even prior to Bowns' entrance into the game Paul Thompson's Coventry had slowly grown into the game and the Stingrays keeper was helpless on 37 minutes as Shea Guthrie worked hard to craft a chance for himself, eventually backhanding past the screened netminder to cut the lead to one.

Had it not been for some cynical defending from Mizerek the Blaze could have gone in at the break level as Jereme Tendler carelessly gave the puck away forcing the Rays American captain to bring down a Blaze forward almost on the breakaway.

Though the Stingrays weren't without chances, it was the side in sky blue that had the better chance, Luke Fulghum - who missed the opening game in Hull - hitting the bar before Bowns made a good sprawling save early in the second.

The equaliser did eventually come though and it was Fulghum who got it, banging home the rebound after Bowns had pushed his initial effort into the deadly Canadian's path.

Late in the game new Stingrays signing Dominic Osman had a big chance to give his side a second win in two games but he could only fire high into the netting above the plexi despite having been afforded time, space and traffic in front of the Coventry net.

The game petered out after the Canadian's chance to end in a 2-2 draw but - while Cloutier will only be concerned with the team performance - the club's opening two results will undoubtedly be somewhat pleasing for the Stingrays coach and fans alike. Likewise, the impressive showing by Bowns is not only a good sign for the Rays but also British hockey.

Once again, the Rays defence, and in particular Brits Sam McCluskey and Dan Scott who once again defied their age, stood out. While yet another shorthanded goal is another positive with the club looking dangerous on the counter attack in its opening two fixtures.

From here the Rays move on to take on Bowns' Sheffield Steeldogs on Tuesday before returning to Coventry next weekend to face Dutch opposition Tilburg Trappers and Geleen Eaters in the P&O Cup.

Rays Rating

FBB Three Stars

1- Sam McCluskey (0+0)

2- Dmitri Rodin (0+1)

3- Martin Ondrej (0+1)

Match Highlights: Excel Hull Sitngrays 5-2 Coventry Blaze

2011-08-28T19:00:00.000+01:00

Five goal Stingrays begin pre-season

2011-08-27T23:37:00.002+01:00

Excel Hull Stingrays 5-2 Coventry Blaze

The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight kicked off a five game pre-season schedule in the best possible way, beating ownership rivals Coventry Blaze by three goals at Hull Arena.

Sylvain Cloutier handed Rays debuts to no fewer than 11 members of his squad including five new blueliners in an all new defensive corps, entering the game with just four returning players. However, it was new Czech forward Frantisek Bakrlik that caught the eye most with a man of the match worthy performance which saw him notch two goals and one assist.

With both squad's having spent less than a week together it was always going to be a case of getting used to systems and team mates, and so it proved in a relatively scrappy opening five minutes.

Despite its pre-season nature early on the game showed periods of being far from friendly with hits raining in midway through the first. First Bobby Chamberlain - making his senior debut with the Rays at just 16 - took a run at Coventry's youngster Ross Venus before Martin Ondrej executed what looks likely to become a trademark hip-check and Coventry's Owen Fussey hit a Rays player with enough force to pop out the penalty box plexiglass.

Having traded marginal chances in the opening stages, it was the home team that had the first real chance of the game. Player-coach Cloutier perfectly firing the puck home in off the post from the top of the circle only to have his effort wrongly disallowed for a Dominic Osman offside.

Nevertheless, with less than a minute remaining in the period, Stingrays Jereme Tendler - who netted a club record 50 goals last season - began where he left off, scoring his first of the year into a largely unguarded net after a mix-up left Blaze keeper Peter Hirsch way out of position. Although the lead was not undeserved, in its infancy the Rays powerplay had been largely ineffective with plenty of time spent on the man advantage and neither side had been able to maintain long periods of domination.

In a standout debut, man mountain Bakrlik then added his first to double the Rays lead in the second period, needing no help on a two-on-one to fire past Hirsch.

Unsurprisingly the Blaze - who were without Canadian Luke Fulghum and later lost Hull born defenceman Dave Phillips to injury - then struck on the powerplay, former Newcastle Viper Matic Krajl picking his spot to net high past Christian Boucher on the man advantage.

However, early in the third the Blaze powerplay turned hero to villain as once again Bakrlik chose to go it alone on a two-on-one breakaway with Tendler to double his account for the night.

The Blaze man advantage soon made up for the shorthanded goal though, hitting back with their second powerplay goal of the night less than a minute later through Robert Farmer's shot from the point, which found its way home to once again shorten the Rays lead to one.

That was as close as the Blaze would come to their ownership counterparts though as Osman tipped in a Martin Ondrej point shot after 51 minutes before new alternate captain Jason Silverthorn stuffed in to a largely unguarded net after Derek Campbell had spurned an initial chance close in to Hirsch, sealing a somewhat surprising 5-2 Stingrays win. The only blemish on Bakrlik's performance being a missed breakaway opportunity late on with Hirsch denying him a debut hat-trick

If Cloutier was looking for a near perfect start then - save for a Bakrlik treble - that is what he got. A win but more importantly a good team performance. Of course, it is very early on but those early signs are overwhelmingly positive at this stage.

The club's mooted weakness - its defence - was largely solid, with imports Ondrej, captain Joshua Mizerek and Dmitri Rodin proving that age and stats do not tell the whole picture. They were well complimented by Brits Sam McCluskey and Dan Scott who both seemed to defy their age, seeing regular minutes on the blueline.

Up front the Rays initially looked a little scrappy - as is to perhaps be expected - but they grew into the game and proved deadly on the counter attack as well as clinical and forceful going forward - which is something the club has perennially struggled with. The majority of that offensive brunt came from Bakrlik whose puck handling skills, size and power proved a real highlight with home fans.

Similarly there were positive signs from the performances of player-coach Cloutier - who was robbed of a goal - Silverthorn, Matty Davies, Jack Watkins, Tristan Harper and Bobby Chamberlain, whose enthusiasm on debut was another highlight. With former ECHL forward Osman also bagging an important first goal for the club, it looks like Cloutier may not have to just rely on Tendler for another 50 goal year in the season ahead.

In reality, while there were zero poor performances, there is still a long way to go for the Stingrays, and Cloutier will only be too aware of that heading into his next four pre-season fixtures and two weeks of training.

The Rays take part in the reverse fixture in Coventry tomorrow night before facing English Premier League side Sheffield Steeldogs on Tuesday and Dutch sides Geleen and Tilburg in Coventry next weekend.

Rays Rating

As far a first pre-season games can go, this wasn't far off perfect. Good performances all around and a very competitive base to build from.

FBB Three Stars:

1 - Frantisek Bakrlik (2+1)

2 - Dmitri Rodin (0+2)

3 - Dan Scott (0+0)

Hull Stingrays: A Year In The Life

2011-08-17T20:45:00.000+01:00

Ice hockey in Britain rarely, if ever, does things simply. The Excel Hull Stingrays last year and a bit goes a good way to proving that the unexpected can, and frequently does, happen in the sport.

At one point little more than 365 days ago the Stingrays looked dead and buried after founders and then owners Mike and Sue Pack realised they could go no further on the unquestioned hard work and loyalty they provided a club more than 160 miles from their hometown of Milton Keynes for seven years.

Then exactly a year today, against all odds and when almost everyone had written them off for, at the very least, the 10/11 season, the Rays made an unlikely and miraculous comeback thanks to Mike Cowley, Andy Buxton, Paul Thompson and James Pease, the owners and management of rival top flight side Coventry Blaze.

F Block Blog looks at the high points and low points of the past 365 days in the Excel Hull Stingrays rollercoaster life.

17th August 2010 - Coventry Blaze owners Mike Cowley, Andy Buxton, Paul Thompson and James Pease are officially unveiled as the new owners of the Elite Ice Hockey League's Hull Stingrays. They immediately set about re-building the club both on and off-ice for the 10/11 EIHL campaign, the club's seventh in the UK's top league.

19th August 2010 - Local British players Lee Esders, Andy Jaszczyk and Matty Davies become the first three players to recommit to the new club. Meanwhile it is confirmed the Rays season - originally set to begin on in August with a pre-season P&O Cup - will now commence on October 3, a full month after the rest of the league, at Hull Arena with a Challenge Cup fixture against Cardiff Devils.

23rd August 2010 - Import Chris Korchinski is the first player to back out of a deal with the club, signing in the Central Hockey League because 'his deal in the UK changed.'

26th August 2010 - Surprisingly, American defenceman Joshua Mizerek - who was earlier in the summer named club captain - confirms he will not join the club and will instead remain with his former club HYS Den Haag in Holland.

3rd September 2010 - The club makes it's first two new signings under the new regime, bringing in defenceman Kurtis Dulle and forward Jereme Tendler from Central Hockey League side Corpus Christi Ice Rayz as replacements for the departed Mizerek and Korchinski.

22nd September 2010 - Sylvain Cloutier confirms Dulle as new club captain and Lee Mitchell and Trevor Read as alternate captains.

28th September 2010 - Having earlier withdrawn their sponsorship from the club, Excel Laminating return as title sponsors for a record seventh season.

29th September 2010 - The club's new blue and yellow colour scheme and jerseys are unveiled alongside a slightly changed logo.

3rd October 2010 - In the club's first game under new ownership the Stingrays play out a tie with the Cardiff Devils at Hull Arena thanks to goals from new signing Matti Uusivirta, Ryan Lake - who returned to the sport after a number of years away - and coach Sylvain Cloutier, as well as a solid 46 save showing from new keeper Christian Boucher.

9th October 2010 - In their first regular season fixture and first away game of the new campaign the club is beaten 6-2 in their first ever meeting with new Scottish club Braehead Clan.

10th October 2010- Nevertheless, they bounce back on the second night of a Scottish double header to beat Edinburgh in the Scottish capital, goals coming from Dulle, Uusivirta, Tendler and rookie Andrew Coburn.

24th October 2010 - The club claim their first home triumph under new ownership with a 4-2 win over the Newcastle Vipers with doubles coming from Uusivirta and Tendler.

7th November 2010 - In a notable low point of the first half of the season, bottom side Dundee - who had previously lost all of their opening 15 games - destroy the Stingrays 9-4 in Scotland to condemn them to their sixth consecutive loss.

15th November 2010 - Rangy Latvian defenceman Kriss Grundmanis is released, paying the price for the club's poor run of form despite registering a Gordie Howe hat-trick in his final appearance for the club against ownership rivals Coventry Blaze.

16th November 2010 - The club makes arguably the biggest ever signing in Hull ice hockey history as former NHLer Drew Bannister agrees to join the club after a long career spanning most of the world's biggest and best leagues. The 36 year old defenceman is signed as player-assistant coach in replace of Grundmanis.

26th November 2010 - In their biggest ever defeat the Stingrays go down 12-0 in Cardiff to the Devils. Worse still, the game is broadcast live on Sky Sports with Bannister making his debut.

28th November 2010 - They bounceback however with a 1-1 Challenge Cup draw to title contenders the Nottingham Panthers with former Panther Konstantin Kalmikov bagging the Rays only goal.

4th December 2010 - Coming back from 2-0 down the Rays thrash Yorkshire rivals the Sheffield Steelers by seven goals to two at Hull Arena. A Tendler hat-trick alongside goals from Uusivirta, Kalmikov, Lake and Dulle help the Rays on to one of their most satisfying victories of the season.

5th December 2010 - They then complete one of the biggest four point weekend's in the club's seven year history with a 5-4 shootout win over the much fancied Panthers, thanks to shootout goals from Silverthorn, Bannister and Kalmikov.

8th December 2010 - Jereme Tendler is named EIHL Player of the Week for the second time of the year having registered four goals in two games over the previous weekend, taking his tally to an incredible 21 in 24 games.

18th December 2010 - A disappointing Challenge Cup campaign in a tough first group stage ends with a 2-0 home loss to Coventry.

9th January 2011 - Former coach Rick Strachan makes a largely unpopular return to the Hull Arena as bench coach of the Nottingham Panthers and his new side roll out of the city with a Strachan-esque 3-0 victory.

16th January 2011 - Against a thoroughly depleted Edinburgh Capitals side the Rays hit 10, a night after the Scottish side were thrashed 18-1 by Sheffield.

17th January 2011 - After a disagreement part-way through the thrashing over Edinburgh the night before British forward Matty Davies is released by the club becomeing just the second player to leave the club in 10/11.

29th January 2011 - Former Sheffield Steeldog and GB U18 international Andy Hirst is signed as Davies replacement, while Davies joins English Premier League side Peterborough.

5th February 2011 - With Edinburgh sit thoroughly under strength the Rays en a five game losing streak with a 6-3 victory in Scotland, persevering over a hardworking Caps side.

6th February 2011 - A 9-2 victory over Edinburgh follows the next night as Tendler and Kalmikov net hat-tricks, with the latter thankful after a poor season.

26th February 2011 - Kalmikov nets the crucial game winning goal in just the club's, and Hull's, second ever win in Sheffield over the Steelers

5th March 2011 - The Rays just prevail over the Coventry Blaze in a 6-5 shootout at the Skydome despite being outshot 51-31.

7th March 2011 - Netminder Christian Boucher records a thoroughly deserved first shutout of the year against another understrength side Newcastle Vipers in a 1-0 win.

10th March 2011 - Player-coach Sylvain Cloutier re-signs to the club for a third term.

18th March 2011 - Standout forward Jereme Tendler also re-signs to the club after a phenomenal first season in Britain.

26th March 2011 - In just their second ever EIHL playoff appearance the Rays play out a tetchy 60 minutes against the Devils, with the Welsh side just prevailing 2-1 heading into the second leg in the principality.

27th March 2011 - Having kept the first leg as tight as possible the Rays were once again outclassed by the Devils. Losing 6-3 on the night and 8-4 on aggregate knocking the Rays out of the post-season at the Quarter final stage for the second time in two years.

25th April 2011 - The Stingrays sign 20 year old defenceman Sam McCluskey effectively completing a trade that saw brother Craig and Lee Mitchell leave Hull for their home country Scotland and forward Tristan Cameron-Harper sign for the Hull.

16th May 2011 - Netminder Christian Boucher returns for a second season in Hull after a solid first season.

18 June 2011 - It is confirmed that Canadian rookie sensation Andrew Coburn will not return to Hull for another year with a surprise retirement likely for the 24 year old.

6th July 2011 - Joshua Mizerek signs for the club from HYS Den Haag for the second time after keeping in touch with friend and Rays boss Cloutier.

8th July 2011 - Sheffield Steelers power forward Derek Campbell makes the surprise journey up the M18 and signs for the Stingrays.

11th August 2011 - Brit forward Matty Davies makes his own surprise return to the club having settled old scores with coach Cloutier. His signing completes the Stingrays squad for the 11/12 EIHL campaign.

17th August 2011 - Mizerek is confirmed as captain for the second time - having previously been named captain prior to leaving the previous summer - he is joined by alternate captains Silverthorn and new signing Dmitri Suur.

Mizerek reclaims Stingrays captaincy

2011-08-17T08:59:00.002+01:00

Excel Hull Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier has today handed out his new on-ice captaincy roles for the upcoming 11/12 Elite Ice Hockey League campaign following the departure of all three of last year's captains and there are few surprises in his choices.

© Fintan Painting www.9pm.nl

33 year old American defenceman Joshua Mizerek has been named club captain for the second time - having initially been given the role when he first signed up to the club last summer - and he is joined by forward Jason Silverthorn and veteran Estonian Dmitri Suur.

Mizerek replaces outgoing captain Kurtis Dulle who is expected to retire from the sport at the end of the summer season in Australia - where he is spending what is thought may be his final season with Sydney Bears.

In a fairly inexperienced team Dulle was thrown into the captaincy upon signing from the Central Hockey League in early September last season as a late replacement for Mizerek - who left without playing a game after the club's financial issues - but turned out to be a popular on-ice leader for the club.

Questions over his captaincy were naturally raised when the club went through a rough patch in late 2010 and brought in 36 year old former NHLer Drew Bannister, however, standing by his captain, Cloutier instead handed Bannister Lee Mitchell's alternate captain's role.

The Rays boss said at the club's most recent fans forum that Mizerek's decision to quit last summer was based on his young family and a renewed opportunity to combine coaching with playing in Holland. Nevertheless he was eager to stay in touch, with Cloutier calling him "the Stingrays biggest fan" last season as he endeavored to keep up with results during his fourth season in Dutch capital Den Haag.

That eagerness to link up again was reciprocated by Cloutier as he wasted no time in signing the American and re-naming him captain. He said:

"It was an easy decision to make, Josh has been a leader wherever he has played. It is natural for him to be captain, he has captained championship-winning sides before. I was extremely excited to have him on board and I knew I wanted him to be my captain."

With former alternate captain Bannister now player-coach of the Braehead Clan and fellow former alternate captain Trevor Read also moving on this summer Cloutier somewhat unsurprisingly named Silverthorn, last season's Coaches Player of the Year, and Dmitri Suur, on paper the most experienced member of this year's team, as their alternate captaincy replacements.

Silverthorn has become a reliable, experienced and valued member of the Rays set up, and not just for his on-ice performances while Suur will be entering his 21st season in the sport at the age of 36. Cloutier added:

"Jason and Dmitri have both been leaders before. Silvers has been a leader since he arrived here and Dmitri has captained Estonia at the last two World Championships. Both have a lot to give the team and they will help Josh and myself out."

It was thought that, following his season coaching the youth set up in Den Haag, Mizerek may be named Bannister's replacement as player-assistant coach, however, it looks as though this time Cloutier is happy with Bobby McEwan as his bench and assistant coach and his all new on-ice leadership. He concluded:

"I am very happy with the choices I've made for all three positions and I just can't wait to get started."

Davies returns to complete Stingrays

2011-08-11T20:10:00.000+01:00

British forward Matty Davies has today returned to complete the Excel Hull Stingrays line-up for the 11/12 Elite League campaign, despite sensationally quitting the club midway through a fixture against Edinburgh last season.

The 21 year old started his second season with his hometown club last year in good form - registering 20 points in 34 games - however his form dipped in December and January and as a result his ice-time diminished.

Naturally frustrated by drop in playing time, it is thought Davies confronted coach Sylvain Cloutier part way through the Rays game against Edinburgh in January, walking out halfway through the 10-2 romp, and he was promptly released for breaching club discipline.

He was quickly replaced by Sheffield Steeldog Andy Hirst before going on to join English Premier League Peterborough Phantoms, where he recorded five goals and 21 points in 19 games. The young Brit now returns to the club with coach Cloutier insisting the issue was resolved nearly as quickly as it arose:

"Everything was resolved the week after he left. Matty knows what he did and has learned his lesson and now he wants to prove himself. He was having a good season last year, and it's too bad the situation happened. But we've moved on."

It is thought he had initially agreed to return to the EPL with the Slough this summer, however, following coach Pete Russell's acrimonious departure from the Jets and with a spot on the Rays roster free following the departure of a number of Brits, including Lee Esders, a surprised Davies jumped at the chance to return. He said:

"I am delighted to be back and am looking forward to the new season. I spoke with Clouts early in the summer and he asked me if I wanted to come back. I did not expect it and I was getting ready to play in the EPL again. But I want to play in the top league and hopefully impress enough to get into the Great Britain squad and you have to play in the Elite League to do that."

Davies has registered 30 points in 88 games in the top flight, all with the Stingrays, but as a relatively small forward has struggled to find consistency over the full season in both of his senior season's in Hull. In 09/10 the Beverley born forward struggled for ice-time after beginning the year as the club's 10th forward but eventually fought his way into the squad in place of Shaun Thompson after an injury to Lee Mitchell handed him an opportunity, going on to register one goal and ten points in 51 games.

To the contrary he began last season as one of the club's most consistent performers, netting points in the majority of the club's games, before that form dramatically fell away in late 2010, in turn leading to the disagreement with Cloutier and his subsequent departure.

Nevertheless, the Rays coach has forgiven and forgotten and will welcome the 21 year old back as his 11th forward and, more than likely, his final major signing of the summer. He said:

"I don’t hold grudges and I believe in giving people second chances. I am really happy to have Matty back. He brings depth to the line-up and brings more offence to the team. He is a local kid and he should be playing for his local team. He was putting up some good numbers for us before he left so he will have something to prove this year. Matty is a great kid, he is a year older and more mature."

After several three-and-a-half years in the EPL - in which he racked up 128 points in 143 games - as well as a season-and-a-half in the EIHL, Davies has proven he can play a valuable role going forward and his signing so late in the summer is another boost to an offensive unit that has gone through a noticeable upgrade this off-season, particularly with British players so scarce.

Davies joins forwards Tristan Cameron-Harper, Ryan Lake, Jack Watkins and Bobby Chamberlain on a brand new and fairly inexperienced but youthful British forward line-up.

Those five are effectively vying for two roster spots and with a number of two-way players also likely to be thrown into the mix before the beginning of the campaign, the Rays boss has a good problem on his hands heading into pre-season and training camp.

The Rays begin their longest ever pre-season with a home and away challenge double header against the Coventry Blaze on 27 and 28 August, before taking on Tilburg Trappers, Geleen Eaters and Sheffield Steeldogs, ahead of their sixth season in the EIHL which commences on Friday 9 September in Belfast and continues on Sunday 11 September in Hull with a fixture against Yorkshire rivals the Sheffield Steelers.

BREAKING NEWS: Davies returns to Rays

2011-08-11T08:55:00.004+01:00

British forward Matty Davies has today returned to the Excel Hull Stingrays line-up for the 11/12 Elite League campaign despite sensationally quitting the club midway through a game against Edinburgh last season.

The 21 year old moved to English Premier League Peterborough Phantoms after allegedly falling out over ice-time - scoring five goals and 16 assists in 19 games - but has returned to his hometown team after resolving the problems between himself and the club, having initially agreed to join Slough Jets next season.

More soon...

Third time lucky for Cloutier as Ondrej completes import line-up

2011-07-20T09:09:00.003+01:00

Excel Hull Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier has today completed his ten strong import quota for 11/12 Elite League campaign, signing all-around blueliner Martin Ondrej at the third time of asking.

The 27 year old joins the Stingrays from Italian Serie B club Milano Rossoblu - where he registered 11 points in 21 games last season - less than a year after rejecting Cloutier in favour of joining the Italian side.

Having initially attempted to sign the 6'1 defenceman while coaching the CHL's Corpus Christi Ice Rayz, the Hull boss went back in for Ondrej last season after form which saw his side win just twice in 15 fixtures in the opening two months of the season, however, he was disappointingly rejected for a second time.

Nevertheless, Ondrej has now agreed the join the Elite League club at the second time of asking, and Cloutier at the third time of asking, signing as part of a three strong import defence which also contains 33 year old American Joshua Mizerek and 36 year old Estonian Dmitri Suur.

It is hoped the experienced pair, together with Ondrej - who has played in Slovakia, North America and Italy - will help blood young British blueliners Daniel Scott (18) and Sam McCluskey (20), who will be entering their first and second full seasons in the British top flight respectively.

The Slovak defenceman began his career in 03/04 with hometown side HC Presov, recording 14 points and 143 penalty minutes in 38 games during his debut year before moving on to the Slovakian top flight the following season, icing in 29 games with Zilina.

He returned home to Presov in 06/07 upping his points total to 15 in 29 games but moved to North America the next year, signing for Flint Generals, then of the United Hockey League, alongside former Stingray Ryan Jorde. He spent the best part of three years in Flint, Michigan, attending the NHL's Detriot Red Wings training camp in 2008 - as a result of their affiliation with the Generals.

He went on to record ten goals, 67 points and 380 penalty minutes with Flint before being traded to Kalamazoo Wings - where he eventually hit ten points in 28 game - in February 2009 in exchange for former Coventry defenceman Jason Robinson and another player.

Ondrej has since spent the majority of the past two years in Presov, Slovakia - hitting the 110 appearance mark with his hometown side - making a bit part appearance with top flight side Zilina in 09/10 before chosing Milan over Hull at the last minute last November.

Having tried to sign him on two other occasions, Cloutier is clearly a fan of Ondrej and likens him to former hard-hitting, hard-working Stingray defenceman Stephen Burns - who also plied his trade in Italy last season:

"He's just one of those players you want to try and sign. He plays physical and he battles - a bit like a Steve Burns type but with a more offensive side and he sees the ice better. He's a competitor every night. He's not a fighter or a tough guy, but he plays hard and physical and makes it a pain in the butt for the opposition."

Meanwhile Kalamazoo head coach Nick Bootland - who traded former EIHLer Robinson for Ondrej in 2009 - said:

"I know he has the ability to play against top lines. He's a tough player to play against. He's a guy, when you play against him, you hate him. When he's on your team, you love him. He has that mentality. He's chippy, he plays on the edge, but he also moves the puck well. He shoots the puck when it's the right time to shoot the puck."

Noted for his tough, physical style of defensive play, the Rays newest recruit and final import appears to be the most complete of the club's three foreign defencemen, capable of both an offensive punch as well as defensive solidity. The most obvious question mark over the Slovakian - whose signature officially confirms that Trevor Read, Kurtis Dulle, Drew Bannister, Aivars Gaisins and Jozef Sladok will not be returning to Hull next season - appears to be his high penalty count, which currently stands at over 800 in minutes in eight seasons of play, although this may partially be down to his "on the edge" mentality.

As well as Suur and Mizerek, Ondrej joins netminder Christian Boucher, and forwards Dominic Osman, Frantisek Bakrlik, Derek Campbell, Jason Silverthorn, Jereme Tendler and player-coach Cloutier on the ten strong import roster - down from 11 last season. He also becomes the third non-Brit European on the roster after Czech forward Bakrlik and Estonian Suur.

The Rays boss appears to have opted for the tried and tested method of signing former team mates and former opponents, with which he knows what he is getting. While many EIHL clubs will opt for foreign contingent made up largely of Central Hockey League talent, 'Clouts' has stuck with what he knows with the only other doubt cast over the three European signings given the relative levels they have joined the club from in Italy and Poland.

"I've tried to stay familiar with the group. You can listen to five people and they'll tell you how great someone is," he said. "You can get them over here and think 'oh, what have we got here?' and you think 'I guess those guys were just being five nice people'."

The roster for the 11/12 EIHL season now sits at 19 players, including four netminders - two on two-way contracts - five defencemen and ten forwards, with a British player and a further couple, two-way contracted British players expected to be the final pieces in the puzzle for Cloutier. Pre-season kicks off in little more than a months time with a home-away double header with ownership rivals Coventry.

BREAKING NEWS: Ondrej completes import line-up

2011-07-20T07:41:00.002+01:00

Stingrays add fourth netminder and fifth pre-season fixture

2011-07-15T12:15:00.090+01:00

The Excel Hull Stingrays have today announced the signing of former GB junior international Ben Bowns on a two-way contract from English Premier League side Sheffield Steeldogs alongside the news that they will take on the Steeldogs at Ice Sheffield on 30 August as part of their pre-season preparations.

Bowns, 20, was called up to Paul Thompson's senior national side as reserve netminder for April's World Championships in Ukraine having thoroughly impressed in four years with GB U18's and U20's. Last year the EPL stopper claimed netminder of the tournament at the U20 Division 1 Worlds having recorded a 90.9sv.% in 50 games as the underdog Steeldogs edged into the playoffs in eighth place.

He joins the Stingrays on a loan deal from his hometown Sheffield - where he has been since starting his career in 06/07 - and, although he is unlikely to make regular appearances in the blue and yellow, he will gain valuable experience training and backing up starter Christian Boucher in the Elite League when the Steeldogs are without a game.

Rays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier spoke of his first two-way signing of the summer:

"I am delighted to have Ben on board and to be able to help further his development. He will be on a two-way contract between us and the Sheffield Steeldogs and we have signed him in case of an emergency as we already have Andy Brummitt backing up Christian Boucher”.

With Andy Brummitt signed up to ice for both the Stingrays and English National League side Kingston Jets, and Hull born keeper Liam Jackson also training with Cloutier's side, the club is evidently taking different route with its backup netminding situation this season.

Previously - as is the case at the majority of Elite League clubs - it is common for a backup keeper to be used very sparingly, normally only when his side is on the receiving end of a thrashing or handing out a beating of its own.

That was the exact situation last season in Hull - when backup Andy Jaszczyk icing in just three games, mostly against a lacklustre Edinburgh side - however, with Brummitt, Jackson and Bowns all mixing Elite League time with lower league experience, the club and Cloutier instead look to be trying to develop a number of options next season.

Bowns has fast become a big prospect in British hockey, and Steeldogs coach Andre Payette told the Sheffield Star he believes Bowns can take his game to the next level:

"Ben is fast becoming as good as Elite League imports. We will lose him at some stage, but for now his main responsibility is Steeldogs - he can train and play for Hull when we’re not playing.”

Meanwhile, the Stingrays have also announced that their fifth pre-season fixture of the summer will see them take on the Bowns' Steeldogs in Sheffield on Tuesday 30 August (7.30pm).

The two clubs last met at Ice Sheffield in a pre-season encounter prior to the 09/10 season - Cloutier's first season in Hull - when a nine import Rays came away with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over the one import EPL side. In that game Bowns and former Hull favourite Pasi Raitanen played a big part in keeping the score to two as Tommy Sandahl notched his first and only shutout with the club and Adam Knight also impressed on his debut.

The Steeldogs will have at least three former Stingrays in their line-up in August following the signings of Ukrainian Pavel Gomenyuk, first year Ray Stuart Brittle and last season's Andy Hirst - who has returned to Sheffield.

Stingrays pre-season will see them take on Coventry home and away on the weekend of August 27 and 28, Steeldogs on Tuesday August 30 and Tilburg and Geleen on September 3 and 4 respectively.

The signing of Bowns and arrangement of the pre-season fixture only heightens speculation that the two clubs are set to announce an official link that will see tighter links between the two clubs.

Last season the Steeldogs controversially bypassed links to Elite League neighbours Sheffield Steelers in favour of their players icing in Hull. Forward Hirst made the move from two-way contractee to a full time Stingray, and Chris Sykes and Hull born Craig Elliott, amongst others, also made the trip up the M18 for ice-time, and it is thought this looks set to continue next season.

Fan favourite Lake returns

2011-07-13T16:15:00.001+01:00

Energetic, fan favourite Ryan Lake has today become the only British returnee from the Excel Hull Stingrays 10/11 EIHL campaign, joining Sylvain Cloutier's side for another year following the departure of no fewer than six British players.

27 year old Lake - who last season netted a valuable five goals and five assists on his return to the sport following four years away - becomes the sole homegrown returnee after Craig and Lee Mitchell, Andy Hirst, Lee Esders, Ben Lowe and Andy Jaszczyk all left the club this summer.

Those six have been replaced by five new recruits in Andy Brummitt (Chelmsford), Sam McCluskey, Tristan Cameron-Harper (Dundee), Jack Watkins (Telford) and Bobby Chamberlain (North America) with at most two more British players and a couple of players on two-way contracts likely to join up with the squad ahead of the Elite League September start.

Lake, having fallen out of love with the sport in 05/06 after recording ten goals and 16 points in 31 games during the Rays torrid season in the EPL, returned to the ice last summer and took no time to settle back in at Hull Arena, netting in the club's opening two games against Cardiff and Braehead.

With a fearless attitude, the speedy winger once again proved a hit, eventually growing into his familiar role as a third line pocket rocket after initially being used somewhat sparingly in the season's opening weeks.

Despite rumours earlier in the summer that he was looking to play a bigger role at this, or if it came to it another club, Cloutier was today excited to confirm the signature of the Hull favourite, saying:

"He's a spark plug. He brings energy to the team, and he'll get better this year having got last season under his belt. He's one of our veteran Brits, and I'm just excited to have him back. He comes to play every night, and does anything you ask him to."

Named British Player of the Season by fans last year, he is clearly highly thought of by both fans and management, and while popular, he is also mightily effective in the physical, agitator role thanks to his fearless, gung-ho style of play. Size and stature wise he may not be the most intimidating of players, but that style of play was invaulable for a timid Stingrays side that lacked physicality all too often last season. Admittedly that is an area Cloutier has looked to address this summer.

A 20 plus goal target may be unrealistic, however, provided he is made available more regularly and is given more ice-time and responsibility by the Rays coach, double figures are certainly not out of the question for the former Great Britain international.

Fan favourite Lake returns

2011-07-13T07:57:00.001+01:00

Energetic, fan favourite Ryan Lake has today become the only British returnee from the Excel Hull Stingrays 10/11 campaign, returning to Sylvain Cloutier's side for another year following the departure of no fewer than six British players.

The 27 year old forward - who last season netted a valuable five goals and five assists on his return to the sport following four years away - becomes the sole homegrown returnee after Craig and Lee Mitchell, Andy Hirst, Lee Esders, Ben Lowe and Andy Jaszczyk all left the club this summer.

More soon...

P&O Cup set to return and complete Rays pre-season with double Dutch weekend

2011-07-12T21:14:00.002+01:00

The Coventry Blaze have today confirmed the revival of the P&O Cup - first played in Hull in 09/10 - with the announcement that the third year of the tournament - set for September 3 and 4 - will feature the Excel Hull Stingrays, ownership rivals and hosts the Blaze and Dutch sides Tilburg Trappers and Geleen Eaters.

The tournament will end Sylvain Cloutier's Stingrays four game pre-season for the 11/12 EIHL season the week after their home and away double header against the Blaze on August 27 and 28 and will see them take on Tilburg on September 3 and Geleen Eaters for the first time on September 4, both at the Skydome Arena, Convetry.

The Rays, under previous owners Mike and Sue Pack, organised and won the inaugural event following up a 4-3 win over Tilburg with a exciting 3-2 final victory over EIHL rivals Nottingham Panthers, who had previously thrashed the Trappers.

09/10 P&O Cup - Stingrays v Nottingham

However, having originally planned for the tournament to return to Hull last summer - in a renewed format that allegedly may have seen Belfast Giants join the original three teams - the Rays were forced to pull out after owners the Packs withdrew their funding of the team.

The tournament continued in a different format regardless with Nottingham edging Tilburg 7-5 at the NIC having initially lead 5-0, with the Dutch side continued their weekend with a fixture against Paul Thompson's Blaze.

This years competition, once agian sponsored by P&O Ferries, will see former Humberside Hawk and current Geleen Eaters coach Chris Eimers return to the UK.

Last season, Eimers Eaters side - containing former EIHLers Jason Tejchma, Ryan Crane and Marc Lefebvre - finished sixth in the Eredivisie but reached the semi-final stage of the playoffs. Meanwhile, Tilburg ended the year as runners-up in both the league and playoffs, losing out to Joshua Mizerek's HYS Den Haag side in both the regular-season and post-season.

This years Stingrays two-week, four game pre-season is a marked improvement on last campaign, when the Rays were deprived of any warm-up fixtures and forced to move the beginning of their Elite League campaign back to October following the Packs sudden departure and the new ownership groups takeover.

Nevertheless, while it is good news the pre-season competition has been kept alive there have understandably been concerns raised about the Stingrays playing two pre-games in Coventry. Attendance will likely be poor in the Skydome for the two early fixtures featuring the Rays, and with both Dutch sides presumably entering the country at the P&O terminal in Hull it would have made more sense to keep the tournament close-by, particularly after the successful first tournament.

Still, there may have been other influences that affected the decision to stage the competition in Coventry, such as the availability of the Hull Arena, and the early weekend away for Cloutier and his squad will allow time to bond ahead of a 56 game regular season campaign.

Stingrays Five of the Best...10/11

2011-07-10T19:27:00.002+01:00

With fixtures out, just a handful of signings remaining and little over a month and a half to go until the puck drops for the 11/12 Elite League campaign, F Block Blog is here to provide Rays fans with a refresher of what it believes were last seasons five best games.

26/03/11 - Stingrays 1-2 Cardiff (EIHL Playoff Quarter Final Leg 1)

It was perhaps fate that the Rays were to come up against the only EIHL opposition they hadn't beaten in 10/11 in the first round of the post-season. They took on the Cardiff Devils in just their second ever playoff appearance - the first time they have qualified in their own right - and a tense, chippy game followed as the Rays worked hard to keep it close heading into the second leg. Watch out for Tylor Michel's lovely solo opening goal!

03/10/11 Stingrays 3-3 Cardiff Devils

At one point it didn't look like this game would ever take place. Starting late in October following owners Mike and Sue Pack's departure, the Rays opened their 10/11 season against the very same Cardiff Devils side that would cause them so many problems later on in the season. Not a classic per se, but the Rays best result against the South Wales side all season long and an important game in that it saw the sport make an unexpected top flight return to the city after a turbulent summer. See Matti Uusivirta round off a lovely move with a clinical finish for the Rays first of the year.

20/03/11 Stingrays 6-1 Nottingham

The Rays saved some of their best for last as they thrashed top side Nottingham on the final weekend of the season. The Panthers - with former Rays head coach Rick Strachan at the helm - entered the weekend with little to play for and started backup Dan Green. Backup or not, the home side outplayed the big spending Nottingham outfit in all areas and deservedly came out on top.

04/12/10 Stingrays 7-2 Sheffield

The Steelers took a commanding 2-0 lead early on but the Stingrays came back very strongly and ran out easy winners, condemning the Steelers to their biggest ever Yorkshire derby defeat.

21/11/10 Stingrays 3-2 Belfast (OT)

2-0 down in the third, the Rays came back to snatch the win against another of the big spending top four, with Jason Silverthorn scoring a lovely overtime effort to seal the unlikely win.

Stingrays get Soupy

2011-07-08T09:46:00.003+01:00

Sylvain Cloutier has today completed his Excel Hull Stingrays import forward line-up for the 11/12 campaign with the addition of Elite League power forward Derek Campbell from Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Steelers.

A vastly experienced forward that spent five years in the EIHL, Campbell has lifted the league title twice in the last two years, winning it with Coventry Blaze in 09/10 and the Steelers last season, and comes to Hull with a reputation for his unique blend of offensive output and physicality.

His EIHL career stats say it all. In 252 games played since joining the Elite League's Manchester Phoenix in 06/07, the Nepean, Ontario native has scored 88 goals, added 157 assists for 245 points, seven points from point-a-game form. On the other side of the coin, he has also racked up a massive 1021 penalty minutes, good for just over four penalty minutes-per-game.

The Canadian joins Cloutier, last seasons record scorer Jereme Tendler, ever-consistent Jason Silverthorn, Dominic Bakrlik and new signing from the ECHL Dominic Osman on the import forward roster for next year.

Having spent his formative years in the junior Ontario Hockey League, Campbell moved to St Thomas University in 99/00, combining studying with playing for three years before entering his first fully professional season in 04/05 with Elmira Jackals on the ECHL. He iced for two years in the ECHL, splitting 05/06 between Columbia and Stockton, while being called up for the AHL for his sixth and seventh appearances, but flew across the pond the following year to sign for Tony Hand's Manchester Phoenix - enjoying a career year in all categories as he registered 25 goals and 42 assists for 67 points in 53 games.

The 6'1 winger moved to Newcastle the following year, spending two indifferent seasons on Tyneside, however, while his time in the North East was perhaps his favourite off-ice, by far his most successful spell on-ice has come in the last two seasons as he helped both Coventry and Sheffield secure EIHL league titles, hitting 82 points and 453 penalty minutes along the way.

After spending half-a-decade in the UK, Campbell has become part of the furniture in the Elite League, a entertainer and cannonball of a forward that bounces from incident to incident, whether that be altercation, goal or assist. He's not afraid to drop the gloves or get involved physically but by the same token he is prone drifting in and out of games, and his attitude has been called into question. As an opposition fan last season, Campbell was dangerous and infuriating, most notably silencing Hull Arena with a wonderful individual goal moments after playing jester for the night. All-in-all he is one of the league's most entertaining products but more than that he can also be mightily effective as he has proven in the last two seasons.

Having spent the best part of five years playing against Campbell, Rays player-coach Cloutier is well aware of what he is getting with his final import. Speaking to the Hull Daily Mail he said:

"Derek's one of those players who can play physical and put up numbers, he's the full package. Basically he's a power forward who has averaged a point a game over five seasons in the Elite League. He plays a physical game with an edge which I thought was often missing from our team last season."

Cloutier also addressed possible concerns with Campbell's high penalty count, which currents stands at more than 1000 and will likely rise in the near future:

"I'm not worried at all by Derek's penalty minutes, he plays with an edge and is feisty. He's put up numbers and won the league title in the last two seasons, so he knows what it takes to win. I have been battling against him for five years and know how much he competes. When you play against him you don't want to wake him up. I'm extremely happy to have him on my side and, speaking to our guys, I know they are too."

The final forward import slot, while effectively no different from the previous four, can often be a damp squib in that, in the hope to get the fanbase onboard for the next season the club announces its best players first, leaving the third line forwards as the final announcements. The Stingrays bypassed that trait today, signing a player that - okay, may not be an all conquering offensive forward - but one that ticks all required boxes. Capable of goals - check, physical - check, entertaining - check, willing to protect his teammates - check.

By no means is Campbell perfect - there have been questions over his attitude and application - but he is almost as close to a perfect fit for that final import forward slot as Cloutier could have gotten given the teams needs given last seasons failings.

The club now has just one import slot to fill with a North American defenceman, new to the country, allegedly signed up and waiting to be announced, with a number of Brits also to be signed and announced.

Campbell signs as final import forward

2011-07-08T08:29:00.001+01:00

Sylvain Cloutier has today completed his Excel Hull Stingrays import forward lineup for the 10/11 campaign with the addition of experienced EIHL forward Derek Campbell.

Campbell has spent the last five seasons in the Elite League icing for Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and Coventry - winning consecutive league titles in the last two seasons with the latter two.

He has recorded 245 points in 252 games along the way, although is perhaps better known for his unpredictable physical style of play which has earned him 1021 PIM's.

More soon..

Mizerek back for a second crack

2011-07-06T08:57:00.002+01:00

He becomes the fourth former Adirondack player to join the club following the signatures of fellow blueliner Dmitri Suur, power forward Frantisek Bakrlik and player-coach Sylvain Cloutier, as the head coach looks to recruit known players ahead of his third year in charge in Hull.

The experienced Minnesota native spent four full seasons in the ECHL having graduated from Miami University in Ohio in 99/00, opening up his career in Baton Rogue, where he netted 11 goals and added 18 assists. He went on to ice in more than 250 games in North America's third tier, accumulating 20 goals and 65 points before moving on to the CHL in 04/05.

Mizerek joined up with Bakrlik, Suur and Cloutier in Adirondack for a 55 game spell during 05/06 moving on to ice for CHL side Amarillo Gorillas in 06/07.

He moved overseas in 07/08, opting to sign with HYS Den Haag and lifted the Dutch championship in just his second season, playing a big part in the success recording three goals and four assists in ten games. He hit a career hit in points in 09/10, bagged 36 in 44 games, before Cloutier made an approach to sign the veteran last summer.

Having initially agreed to join the Rays, the right shooting defenceman understandably opted out following owners Mike and Sue Pack's decision to leave with no new owners on the horizon. Although the Rays returned under Coventry ownership, Mizerek returned to Den Haag signing in a role that allowed him to combine playing with coaching of their junior section. On-ice he hit a four year low 24 points but once again captained his side to a Dutch championship, his second in four years at the club.

Mizerek, a pro of some 600 games, looks to have balanced out a backline that looked questionably imbalanced in the experience stakes with Sam McCluskey and Dan Scott combining for just over a 100 appearances and fellow import defenceman Suur hitting above the 650 mark. It is an area of the team that was all too often the weak spot last season but with hard-working all-around blueliner, and likely captain, Mizerek in the ranks there will be at the very least a continual leader in the defensive zone, another thing the club needed so urgently prior to the arrival of, the now departed, Bannister last term. Cloutier said:

"He is just the type of player I want in my team. He is a competitor, he is a leader and he comes to play every night. Miz has won championships before so he knows what it takes. We have recruited a number of players who have won before - it is import to surround the team with those kind of players, ones who care and have a winning attitude. Josh is a solid, all-around defenceman who takes care of his own end and he makes it hard back there for the opposition. He will do a great job for us."

The Rays now require just one import defenceman to complete their five strong blueline although Cloutier may yet sign further reinforcement and injury insurance at the back with a British player.

It is thought that the Rays player-coach has completed his import roster for next season with that defenceman and a forward with EIHL experience signed up and ready to be announced.

Mizerek signs again

2011-07-06T08:06:00.004+01:00

33 year old American defenceman Joshua Mizerek has today rejoined the Excel Hull Stingrays, the club he quit 12 months ago following its untimely demise, signing from Dutch Eredivisie side HYS Den Haag.

He becomes the fourth former Adirondack player to join the club following the signatures of fellow blueliner Dmitri Suur, power forward Frantisek Bakrlik and player-coach Sylvain Cloutier, as the head coach looks to recruit known players ahead of his third year in charge in Hull.

More soon...

Stingrays add British duo

2011-06-28T21:38:00.009+01:00

The Excel Hull Stingrays today announced their fifth and sixth new British signings of the summer with the confirmation that forward Bobby Chamberlain and netminder Andy Brummitt will wear the yellow and blue next season.

Hull born Chamberlain joins the club at the age of just 16 after spending last year in Canada with junior side the OHA Mavericks. Racking up 14 goals and 30 points in their Minor side, he then went on to record four points in six games with the Major team in the second tier of junior hockey in Canada.

While the opportunity to play the game at a higher level may or may not have transpired, Chamberlain has made the decision to return home to sign his rookie contract with the Stingrays. Having seen the youngster named to the All Star team and named MVP at the 2010 Conference Tournament in Hull, Rays coach Sylvain Cloutier was quick to sign the 16 year old prospect to his first deal:

"Bobby played in Canada last year and is another up-and-coming player. I saw him play in my first year with the club and was really impressed. He went off to Canada and has improved his game further. He had opportunities to stay over there and try out for some junior teams but he wanted to be part of the Hull Stingrays. Bobby is a big kid who can play physical and has a lot of talent. He is going to get a lot of ice time this season. We will be patient with him...He is a local kid and we want to give these guys a chance to play for their hometown team."

Questions may indeed be raised about his size and age and whether it is sensible to put pit someone 16 and 172lbs against someone 29 and 200lbs, however, as the Rays have seen many times in the past, giving talented youngsters the opportunity to play at a higher level at a young age can and will eventually bear fruit.

While former Rays coach Rick Strachan was more often the villain than the hero, one of the things he got right was to give youth a chance to shine whenever and wherever possible. Kevin Phillips, Dave Phillips, Stevie Lee, Luke Boothroyd and Lee Esders, amongst others, were all give their first significant ice-time under the Canadian and thrived as a result, going on to bigger and better things.

In his first two years in charge Cloutier has continued where Strachan left off, giving players like Ben Lowe and Andy Hirst significant ice-time as well as two way contract players opportunities where possible. With Stingrays assistant coach Bobby McEwan being named as Peter Johnson's replacement as Head of Junior Development at the Kingston Junior Ice Hockey club earlier in the year, there are now clear and obvious links all the way from under-10 to Elite League level at the Hull Arena and it is these links Cloutier hopes use and develop in the future:

"..We want to give these guys a chance to play for their hometown team. With our affiliation with minor hockey in Hull, more of those youngsters are going to be given their chance over the next few years."

18 year old keeper Brummitt - a signing from the Chelmsford organisation - may be another to benefit from the renewed links between the Kingston Junior club and the Stingrays. The Harlow born stopper has joined the Stingrays as replacement for the outgoing backup Andy Jaszczyk, who last week revealed he would not be returning to the club for a fourth season, however, in order to aid his development Brummitt will primarily serve as starting keeper for English National League North side Kingston Jets next term.

Although he will be training with the Rays but primarily icing for Kingston - during which time his absence will be covered by young Bradford netminder Liam Jackson - the shorter ENL season dictates he will still backup starter Christian Boucher in the majority of the Rays EIHL fixtures.

Likable Rotherham born stopper Jaszczyk was largely faultless in his three year spell with the club but at 22 reached the make or break stage that many British netminders hit after a couple of years as backup at a club.

Having seen his ice time cut from 9 appearances under Strachan in 08/09 to just three last season, failing to start any despite Edinburgh's weak presence in the league, the player and club decided to go their separate ways for next season. Cloutier said this of his former keeper:

"Jazzy has done a great job for us over the past two years I have been here and I wish him nothing but the best for the future. But I just felt it was time for a change and to bring someone fresh in."

His replacement Brummitt has spent the opening three years of his career bouncing between U18, ENL 2 and ENL 1 levels in Chelmsford, last season icing in four games with the first team registering an impressive 1.32 goals against average and 95.1sv%. He was spotted playing at Hull Arena earlier in the year and Cloutier immediately moved to sign the youngster:

"I was very impressed with Andy when I saw and spoke to him. Andy is very ambitious and is not just coming here to sit on the bench.. He is determined to improve, he wants to play and I like his attitude. He is very motivated. He will play some games with the Kingston Jets. When they do not have a game Andy will be with us. It will help him stay sharp so if called upon, he can do a job for us."

One player now not returning to Hull is 22 year old forward Lee Esders. The hardworking fan favourite spent four years in Hull impressively improving from a niggly three goal, four point forward in his debut campaign to a third line grinder capable of 11 goals and 18 points in 09/10.

The Beverley born winger started last season slowly, eventually improving to record ten goals, eight assists and 18 points again after being named East Yorkshire Sports Personality of the Year. However, he continually failed to crack the club's top two lines during his four seasons in Hull, although not for lack of trying, and he now looks set to leave the club.

While Cloutier will undoubtedly wanted to have re-signed Esders, it is rumoured that both Braehead Clan and Sheffield Steelers are interested, with a tenth forward spot on the Rays South Yorkshire rivals looking most likely.

Jaszczyk and Esders double departure will be the fourth and fifth British exits from Hull Arena this summer following Lee and Craig Mitchell signing in Dundee and Andy Hirst returning to Sheffield, with as yet unannounced forwards Ryan Lake and Ben Lowe now the only possible homegrown returnees from last term.

Stingrays add British duo

2011-06-28T09:29:00.001+01:00

The Excel Hull Stingrays have today added young Brits Bobby Chamberlain and Andy Brummitt to their roster for the 11/12 Elite League campaign.

Netminder Brummitt joins the club in place of Andy Jaszczyk from ENL side Chelmsford Cheiftans while hometown forward Chamberlain, 16, returns to the city after a season spent in Canada.

More soon...

Flyers hit top flight; EIHL returns to 10

2011-06-23T23:04:00.005+01:00

The Elite Ice Hockey League tonight confirmed that the Fife Flyers would finally make the step up to take their place in the top flight, six years after departing the national second tier British National League, effectively replacing the Newcastle Vipers as the league's tenth side.

The Kirkcaldy based side made a late application to join the league - thought to be in the last two weeks - and with the EIHL board meeting today to discuss fixtures for it's ninth year time looked to be running out for Scottish side. However, after a long day of discussions regarding both the Flyers and next season, the EIHL today approved their application, confirming that one of the UK's oldest hockey club's would take their place in the league in 11/12.

They become the fourth Scottish side in the top tier, joining Braehead Clan, Edinburgh Capitals and local rivals Dundee Stars north of the border, while also joining former BNL foes the Stingrays, Coventry Blaze and Cardiff Devils and former ISL sides Belfast Giants, Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers in the league.

Welcome to the EIHL Fife and all their fans!

Coburn shock departure confirmed as Stingrays turnover continues

2011-06-18T21:42:00.005+01:00

Excel Hull Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier yesterday confirmed in the Hull Daily Mail that Andrew Coburn, the club's rookie revelation last season, will not return for a second year in Hull.

Instead - having joined the Rays last summer from the University of Alabama - Huntsville hockey programme - the Mount Forest, Ontario native looks set to end his professional hockey career by likely retiring after an outstanding single season in which he recorded 20 goals and 42 assists for 62 points in 61 games just 61 games.

Cloutiers confirmation that Coburn, named the Rays most improved player, will not pull on the blue and yellow again - despite a "pretty good offer" from the Stingrays - brings the total number of confirmed departures this summer to six, with Matti Uusivirta taking, at the very least, a season out of the sport, Konstantin Kalmikov now all but officially confirmed as leaving the club following a poor showing last year and enforcer turned forward Jozef Sladok likewise also on his way out.

Departed: Uusivirta, Kalmikov, Sladok

With the club opting for a four defenceman, five forward import line-up, there remains just one forward spot to fill after the confirmed offensive foreign quota signings of Dominic Osman, Frantisek Bakrlik, Jason Silverthorn, Jereme Tendler and Cloutier himself, who will suit up for possibly the final year of his career.

Having initially whittled his shortlist down to five players, in the last week the Rays player-coach further narrowed his search for that final spot down to just two players, one new to the UK and one with previous experience in the country.

The pair - both of whom are said to have put up "some numbers" in the past - will likely join the club in an all-around third line role, similar to the one many expected standout forward Coburn to be last summer.

While it will be hoped the new signing will follow in his footsteps and out-do all expectations, Cloutier believes the club is largely set for offensive output with all signed-up import forwards capable, he thinks, of hitting the 20 to 30 goal mark.

The Stingrays are not likely to confirm the identity of the new signing until, at the earliest, next week, however, speculation has already linked the club to former Stingray Jason Kostadine and controversial former NHLer Mike Danton.

Kostadine in 07/08

Hard working agitator Kostadine - who had a career year in 08/09 in Hull netting eight goals and 15 assists in 54 games - fits into the hardworking bracket, although whether his pointscoring exploits last time out in the EIHL, not even good enough for less than half a point per game, would tick the box marked "has put up points previously" remains to be seen. He has since put up just four goals, 14 points and a massive 328 PIM's over two seasons and 125 games between the IHL and CHL, though admittedly the American was a very effective agitator and became a fan favourite at the Hull Arena two years ago.

Danton has a complex history, after being drafted into the NHL by New Jersey in 2000 he recorded 34 points in 69 AHL games and 14 points in 87 NHL games but was jailed in 04/05 for conspiracy to commit murder.

He made a comeback to the sport following his release from jail in just 09/10 with Canadian college Saint Mary's University and returned there last season, excelling both on and off-ice. He recently stated a desire to take up an opportunity to play in Europe and - having played with 'Clouts' in Albany in 2000/01 - pure speculation turned to him signing in Hull.

The potential negative publicity caused by adding Danton to the roster would likely nullify this rumour as a no-goer but the 30 year old is highly likely to show up in Europe in the near future with Hull or the EIHL a likely destination. Provided he could obtain a work permit to play in the country given his criminal record, the Elite League would be traditionally be ideal territory for such a player to make a return to the professional game as NHL legend Theo Fleury did in 05/06.

Admittedly it may be highly unlikely that Kostadine or Danton will suit up in Hull colours next year, particularly the latter. However, one thing is for sure, the hole left by Coburn is sizeable and his replacement may have to be more than the all-around role player that Cloutier expects of him, especially given the importance of the role imports play in the UK and the lack of offence often attributed to low budget sides.

Czech power forward Bakrlik joins Rays

2011-06-13T21:53:00.003+01:00

The Excel Hull Stingrays have today completed the signing of 6'5, 231lbs Czech power forward Frantisek Bakrlik, the club's seventh signing ahead of the 11/12 Elite League campaign, from Polish top flight side MMKS Podhale Nowy Targ.

© www.podhale-nowytarg.pl

The experienced 28 year old joins the club after spending the majority of the past five years of his career in Poland having begun his career in his hometown of Livitnov with their under-18 squad.

Almost immediately following the completion of his sole under-18 campaign - in which he registered 40 points in 42 games - Bakrlik was drafted by junior Ontario Hockey League side the Barrie Colts in the first round of the CHL import draft. He went on to spend a year and a half in Barrie before moving on to the Sarnia Sting halfway through the following season, eventually totalling respectable figures of 16 goals and 25 assists in his two season spell in the OHL.

Having kickstarted his career in Ontario but failed to be drafted to the NHL he moved home to his native Czech Republic in 02/03 for his rookie year, signing with HC Ytong Brno for a 25 game, 8 point debut campaign before returning for another shot at North America in 03/04, signing with Winston Salem Polar Twins.

The right winger spent the next two and half years in Adirondack with the Frostbite of the UHL, playing alongside new boss Cloutier and fellow new Stingray Dmitri Suur - who has also spent his last few years in Poland - recording 26 goals, 48 points and 172 PIM in 86 games, in the process becoming a player the Rays coach will not be unfamiliar with.

He once again returned to Czech Republic at the tail end of 05/06 signing in the second division for HC Berounsti Medvedi but has since spent the large majority of his time in Poland, accumulating 56 goals, 68 assists for 124 points alongside 303 PIM's in 117 games.

In a particularly successful period in his career, Bakrlik picked up a Polish Cup in 08/09 with GKS Tychy, a Polish league title in his third season with Podhale Nowy Targ in 09/10 - setting career bests in goals (30), assists (38), points (68) and PIM's (121) - and was named an All-Star last year having netted five goals and 17 points in 17 games.

Interestingly, in his 09/10 career year the Czech native finished the year third in league scoring and accumulated eight more points than last season Newcastle Viper Jaroslaw Rzeszutko, who recorded an outstanding 34 goals and 30 assists in 47 games with the now defunct North East club.

Indeed, despite icing in just 17 games last year the Rays newest recruit finished fourth in Nowy Targ pointscoring as his side finished in a disappointing seventh place, although that could have been very different had Cloutier been able to bring the power forward into the club in place of a misfiring forward, thought to be Konstantin Kalmikov, at Christmas as planned.

"Frankie is a guy I know all about. I played with him for Adirondack and he was one of our key guys....I had a chance to get Frankie last Christmas. The Polish league where he was playing had some financial problem but we couldn't work something out."

With the addition of Bakrlik, Kalmikov now looks certain to be heading for the exit door, as previously speculated, and he joins Matti Uusivirta - who has taken time away from the sport - Trevor Read and Jozef Sladok as departees, with enforcer Sladok also in part replaced by the physical Czech forward.

The expected direct Kalmikov-Bakrlik exchange, while a downgrade in potential skill - potential that the Ukrainian did not match up to last season - is a definite required upgrade in physicality and size for a club that notably lacked it last term.

© www.podhale-nowytarg.pl

Indeed, the power forward is a much sought after piece of the puzzle in British ice hockey and one that clubs are often unable to adequately fill. The Rays last signing in that particular mold was Canadian Rick Kozak, a loose cannon of a forward but one that could, if he put his mind to it, change the course of a game.

Unfortunately, that side of his game showed all too rarely, more precisely making appearances in just his first game against Manchester and last game against Nottingham. The incident with the Panthers in Nottingham in between those two fixtures was unsavory and unnecessary but had it not been for the incident with Marc Levers or what occurred immediately after, Kozak would have been a surefire favourite in Hull, and it is that fine line between physicality and dangerous play leading to suspension that Bakrlik and most EIHL power forwards must tread.

Nevertheless, with pointscoring seasons under his belt - albeit in Poland - and size aplenty, the likely trade-off for Ukrainian #19 appears a good one with time and luck eventually running out on Kalmikov after two outstanding years as a fan favourite.

Cloutier described his former teammate and latest signing to the Hull Daily Mail:

"He is a big power forward, he plays physical and hits you hard. But he is also a great skater and has a good shot on him. Frankie has put up some numbers in Poland and I think he can do a great job for the team. He can be a ‘go-to’ guy for us. He has won championships in Poland so he knows what it takes to win...he is really excited about coming to Hull and to try and help us make the play-offs and hopefully challenge for a trophy."

His signing brings the Rays offensive roster to 7 and the overall roster to 11 players with three imports - thought to be two defencemen and one forward - left to sign alongside a further three or four British options.

While Andrew Coburn's career and future at the club may not be as cut and dried as initially thought, Drew Bannister and fellow D-man Read look to have played their last game's for the club as does Sladok with Cloutier allegedly searching for two import options on the defensive front, although it is unknown whether captain Kurtis Dulle will yet return for an unexpected second season.

Czech power forward Bakrlik joins Rays

2011-06-13T09:07:00.003+01:00

Excel Hull Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier has today completed the signing of 6'5, 231lbs Czech power forward Frantisek Bakrlik from Polish top flight side MMKS Podhale Nowy Targ.

A former junior prospect in Canada's Ontario Hockey League, the now 28 year old has since iced in the SPHL, Czech Second Division, UHL - where he played alongside Cloutier and fellow new Stingray Dmitri Suur - and the Polish top division - where he has spent the majority of the last five seasons and was last year an All-Star.

More soon...

Estonian international is Suur thing for Stingrays

2011-06-02T08:44:00.003+01:00

The Excel Hull Stingrays have today officially confirmed the signing of 36 year old Estonian national team defenceman and captain Dmitry Rodin, who joins the club from Polish side KH Sanok for the 11/12 Elite League campaign.

The news of his addition to the Stingrays ranks broke earlier in the week and comes as no surprise after he told Polish website hokej.net:

"I would like to play in England, for 2-3 years to end my hockey career. For some time I was in contact with the club..yesterday I signed a one-year contract. Such is life [as] a hockey player..[he must] sign and play where he gets good a deal. Now I choose England because I have a wedding anniversary, my wife has lived in England for nine years. So I decided to come to her on a permanent basis."

It appeared just a matter of time before Rodin - who also goes by the name Dmitri Suur - was unveiled as the Rays newest recruit having recorded three goals and 13 assists on his way to adding the Polish Cup to the Polish league title he won in 09/10.

The vastly experienced Tallinn native signs as the club's third new defensive signing of the summer, joining Brits Sam McCluskey and Daniel Scott on the roster, as player-coach Sylvain Cloutier attempts to revamp a blueline that leaked 202 goals last season.

While that double century is 31 goals fewer than 10/11 and 43 goals fewer than 09/10, it was fairly obvious to most that the club again struggled in its own defensive zone over the full 56 game schedule with the 12-0 drubbing in Cardiff a particular lowlight.

The signing of the wiley veteran - who has experience at the top level of hockey in Slovakia, Russia, Denmark, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland as well as his native Estonia - may not grab the headlines like former player-assistant coach Drew Bannister, who he may well end up replacing, however, he does provide much needed experience to a rearguard that, up to this point lacked top flight games under its belt.

Considering his age, one concern may be that the Estonian will lack pace which was a particular problem last term, however, having appeared for Estonia in their recent 7-0 loss at the hands of Great Britain and having played with Cloutier in Adirondack in 05/06, the Rays coach is confident 6'2 Suur will do a good job in the Elite League providing size and offence.

"I have known Dmitri a long time. He plays the North American style hockey, he's not your typical European. He plays the game hard, he competes and that's what I like about him. I needed a guy who has experience and can log up a lot of minutes back there and help out our young defencemen like Sam McCluskey and Daniel Scott. Also, we didn't really have a big shot from the point last year. Dmitri has that and I think that will be good for our powerplay. He's a good all-round player. He's been around and knows what it takes to win championships."

Although Cloutier was unwilling to rule out a return for 37 year old Bannister, it looks very likely that his future now lies away from Hull, with the former NHLer commanding a package beyond the club's means to return. With the similarly aged Suur now signed, were Bannister to make a U-turn and re-sign, the Stingrays would be left with an unbalanced defensive corps consisting of an 18 year old and 22 year old as well as a 36 year old and 37 year old, and such a make-up seems unlikely given the ongoing defensive refurbishment.

The Estonian may not quite have the reputation or a resume comparable to Bannister's 164 NHL, 204 AHL, 124 DEL and 77 SM-Liga appearances, however, he would presumably come cheaper, allowing the club to spread the remainder of its resources from Bannister across the roster. Nevertheless, Cloutier reaffirmed to the Hull Daily Mail that, were it an option, he would indeed sign both players saying:

"I would have been very happy to have both Dmitri and Drew back there."

Elsewhere, the Rays boss confirmed talks are now "ongoing" with captain Kurtis Dulle, who was initially contemplating retirement after his single season in Hull last year.

The 31 year old Saskatchewan native lead Stingrays defencemen last season, registering 12 goals and 31 assists for 43 points, and signed to play summer hockey in the Australian Ice Hockey League with the possibility that it may be the last stop on his six year hockey career.

However, he has since posted two goals and four assists in ten games with Sydney Bears, who sit eighth and bottom in the regular season standings, and it appears he remains open to the notion of returning for another year in Hull.

Excel Hull Stingrays 10/11 Season Review: Up Front

2011-05-30T18:50:00.003+01:00

Forwards

Sylvain Cloutier (58GP 11+36 64PIM)

Grade: B-

Return: Yes

Bounced back from a particularly disappointing first year in Hull on-ice and, although he may not have been the threat he once was going forward, he was for the second year in a row the heart beat of the team emotionally. For a 38 year old he was all too often the only physical threat up front. After more than 1000 professional games, next season could well be the final chapter in a lengthy and memorable career.

Lee Esders (53GP 7+6 32PIM)

Grade: C

Return: Yes

A slightly disappointing year in which both his production and performance dropped off somewhat. Still, he was named East Yorkshire Sports Personality of the Year, which is an incredible achievement given who he was up against, and he still provided that constant source of energy that has seen him become a fan favourite on the Rays third line. It looks quite likely that he has reached his plateau in Hull and he may well depart this summer.

Jason Silverthorn (55GP 20+31 30PIM)

Grade: C+

Return: Yes

Silverthorn started the year on fire - recording more than a point a game in October - before that great start to the year was brought to a shuddering halt by a massive hit from Nottingham defenceman Guillaume Lepine. The resulting concussion killed an semblance of form he had, affecting the rest of his season, although to his credit he still came very close to maintaining his record as a point-per-game forward in the Elite League.

Lee Mitchell (27GP 11+13 23PIM)

Grade: B+

Return: Yes

Another injury hit year for the Scottish born forward as his season and progression was once again scuppered by a knee injury. Had it not been for his troublesome knee injury he would likely be one of the most sought after British forwards at this point, and a Great Britain regular to boot. However, after coming on leaps and bounds during his time in Hull, he has yet to reach that full potential, leaving many thinking what could have been had the Scot been fit.

Konstantin Kalmikov (59GP 18+24 6PIM)

Grade: C-

Return: No

The award for biggest disappointment of the season undoubtedly has to go to Kalmikov. Previously the go-to 36 goal forward for the club, 'Kalmi' looked a different player from the off this past season. For whatever reason the Ukrainian failed to hit the form that saw him so highly rated previously and he went on to register just 18 goals, half of his previous total. A return to Hull looks very unlikely, although he would be welcome after three years as a fan favourite, however, it seems more than likely that another EIHL club may roll the dice on the 32 year old.

Andrew Coburn (61GP 20+42 68PIM)

Grade: A

Return: Yes

Arguably the signing of the season for the Stingrays. Coburn signed straight from college for his rookie season and, after taking time to acclimatise to the British and professional game in the seasons first few months, outperformed all expectations leading the team in assists but more often than not leading with consistent performances game-in, game-out. A truly brilliant all-around player and one the club will do well to hold on to in the summer.

Jereme Tendler (59GP 50+31 22PIM)

Grade: A

Return: Yes

While many expected Tendler to score goals for the Rays, never in a million years did they expect him to hit the half century mark and end the year as the leagues second top scorer. In a truly remarkable season, he comfortably broke the Stingrays single season goalscoring record by a mere 14 goals and set a benchmark for all future goalscorers brought to the club. Okay, so his all around game may not be quite as good as his finishing abilities but that's fair enough when you hit the twine 50 times in 56 games, while adding 31 assists. Next up? The difficult second season.

Ben Lowe (57GP 2+0 18PIM)

Grade: C

Return: Yes

Lowe received his first meaningful ice-time this season, a year after riding the pine, and made steady progress. His first two professional goals will undoubtedly be a highlight, even if they did come against an understrength Edinburgh, but where he goes from here in order to aid his improvement and potential is the question. Whether there will be room on the Rays roster for him to receive more ice-time remains to be seen but the decrease in import limit may work to his advantage.

Matti Uusivirta (54GP 16+21 66PIM)

Grade: C-

Return: No

Brought in hoping kick a reputation that had seen him pigeonholed as a defensive forward in his homeland, the Finn did little to prove he much else in his locker in his first year in the UK. Injury played its part in restricting him to 16 goals and 37 points as, to his credit, he battled on through the pain for large portions of the season. A good defensive forward but, unfortunately, that role is a luxury British clubs probably cannot afford at present.

Ryan Lake (44GP 5+5 50PIM)

Grade: B-

Return: Yes

After a number of seasons away from the sport Lake proved his worth on the Rays roster this past year, returning alongside his all too familiar, and very entertaining, pinball style of play. A huge fan favourite with a fearless attitude, he also chipped in with a useful five goals and ten points.

Jozef Sladok (61GP 2+8 193PIM)

Grade: C

Return: No

Brought in as a D-man, Sladok was shifted up front upon the release of Grundmanis, signalling the end of Cloutier's 'twin towers' experiment. Regardless of where he was playing, the Slovak worked as hard as anyone on the roster. Nevertheless, while his work rate and fighting abilities are unquestioned - with 14 fights to his name last season, including bouts with heavyweights Guillaume Lepine and Brad Voth - his efficiency as a forward is questionable, particularly in a reduced import EIHL.

Andy Hirst (19GP 2+2 2PIM)

Grade: C

Return: Yes

Signed in mid-season from the EPL following the departure of Matty Davies, Hirst impressively fired home in his debut for the Rays, again albeit against lowly Edinburgh. Immediately stepping in above Lowe on the depth chart, his contributions early on were positive, however, his ice-time soon diminished as the Rays returned to full-strength.

MIA

Matty Davies (36GP 4+16 11PIM)

Grade: C-

Return: No

Quit on the club mid-way through an important game win Dundee, after being dropped to the third line, before signing in the EPL with Peterborough, where he registered over a point a game.

Also iced: James Archer (EPL Manchester Phoenix), Craig Elliot and Christopher Sykes (EPL Sheffield Steeldogs), Kieran Beach (ENL Kingston Jets), Dean Tonks (ENL Solihull Barons) and Callum Rawson (ENL Sheffield Spartans)

Cloutier bolsters Brit pack with GB junior international

2011-05-19T08:00:00.004+01:00

18 year old prospect Jack Watkins has become the Excel Hull Stingrays fourth new British addition of the 2011 off-season, joining Sylvain Cloutier's side from English Premier League club Telford Tigers.

Durham born Watkins becomes the second player to switch the Shropshire second-tier club for East Yorkshire, following the earlier addition of Daniel Scott, after recording four goals and eight points in 48 games in his rookie year in the EPL spent under coach and brother Tom Watkins.

Having made his senior debut at the age of 15 with the English National League's Whitley Warriors, recording three goals and two assists in seven games, Watkins moved south the following year, joining brother Tom for what would turn out to be his final season with the the Coventry Blaze.

He spent the majority of his time at the Skydome icing for the Blazes' ENL farm team - recording a further five goals and eight assists in 24 games - however, he also went on to make his bow at top flight level, playing a bit-part in 32 games as the Blaze went on to lift the Elite League title.

Last season, having made his debut for Great Britain at the U18 Division I World Championships the previous year, the North East native joined brother Tom in Telford for their first year back in the second tier and he played what was primarily a third-line role in 48 games in the EPL as the Tigers finished ninth just outside the playoffs. He also made three Elite League appearances on a two-way deal with Coventry, coincidentally icing at the Hull Arena in their 7-2 defeat of the Stingrays in March.

Although the teenager recorded just eight points in nearly 50 games last season, he earned rave reviews playing a role on the Tigers lower lines in his first year in the EPL and he is thought to have a bright future in the game.

Clearly highly-rated by both GB and Coventry coach Paul Thompson, who twice signed him for the Blaze, and Stingrays player-coach Cloutier, who last watched him put in a convincing performance in England's 10-0 victory over Scotland at the Elite League finals weekend in April, the 6'1, 185lbs forward now comes to Hull for his first full season in the British top flight.

Of his fourth new British signing Cloutier said:

"Jack's a big, strong kid and has a lot of potential. He's a fresh face and wants to prove himself at Elite League level. You have to have guys who are hungry and are excited about playing in Hull. Jack wants to play regular hockey and he know he is going to get that here. It is up to him to take advantage of that. He skates well and has good upside and I am looking forward to working with him and helping develop his game. Hopefully he can be a part of the programme at Stingrays for many years to come."

The young prospect, who last season won a bronze medal with GB U20's and was also once again capped by GB U18's, adds energy and depth to a Stingrays line-up that has lost British forward Lee Mitchell this summer and may yet lose further homegrown players.

Regular minutes for Watkins look to have been guaranteed by the Rays player-coach Cloutier with a forward role similar to the one that has previously done wonders for the development of Mitchell, Lee Esders and Matty Davies, amongst others.

This is clearly not an immediate impact signing for the Rays but rather one for the future, again much like Mitchell was in 05/06, with the addition seen as a direct result of the decrease in import numbers in the Elite League next season.

However, with Andy Hirst returning to Sheffield, Dundee duo McCluskey and Cameron-Harper replacing the departing Mitchell brothers, and Watkins and former Telford teammate Scott in as a result of the rule change, the future make up of the rest of the Rays British contingent is unknown with Lee Esders and Ryan Lake yet to re-sign for the upcoming campaign

The Hull Daily Mail initially reported the pair had re-signed with their hometown club after agent, Aspire Sports Group, mistakenly had them down as returning to Cloutier's side on its website. However, that was quickly rejected by both the agent and Lake and Esders, and both now remain unsigned for the next year with speculation suggesting Esders is likely to depart for Braehead.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" - Boucher returns for second season

2011-05-16T21:03:00.007+01:00

Canadian netminder Christian Boucher has today become just the second ever netminder to return to the Excel Hull Stingrays for a second consecutive year, re-signing with the club for the 11/12 Elite League campaign.

The 27 year old was brought in by Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier last summer to fill the hole left by standout netminder Latvian Martins Raitums - who returned to Eastern Europe - and, having won the Dutch Eredivise in his lone year in Holland with the Nijmegen Devils, he was a constant force for the Stingrays behind a defence that was, all too often, questionable.

While his critics may say he won very few games on his own, he very rarely cost the club with a bad individual performance and that is something the club has all too often lacked in it's netminding department.

For a team battling consistency issues all year long and looking to break above the .500 win mark his reliability is, and was last season, crucial and was certainly a determining factor in his return after helping the Rays to a record year in the Elite League.

Speculation suggests coach Cloutier explored his options before retaining the former Rio Grande Killer Bee, notably enquiring about Steve Silverthorn, brother of Rays centre Jason, in the end rewarding 'Bouch' for his loyalty to the club last summer, while opting for solidity and stability over the uncertainty and unpredictability of a new signing unfamiliar with the club or country.

In the end, the risk factor of bringing an unknown quantity in, particularly when Boucher, a perfectly good netminder, was ready to return, was too much for Cloutier, who said:

"I am extremely excited Christian is coming back, as I thought he did a great job for us. I expect Bouch to improve on what he did last season. He will be comfortable right from the start, he knows the area and, most importantly, he wanted to be back in Hull. He wants to help us build on what we did last season. We beat every record the team had in the Elite League last season and he was a big part of that. Bouch will be one of the leaders on and off the ice and I expect him to lead our 'D' in the right direction."

A graduate of Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Boucher becomes just the second ever netminder to return for a second successive season with the Stingrays.

He joins the similarly consistent Slovakian stopper Miroslav Bielik in that category and the fact he is just the second in a long line of seven keepers to re-sign outlines the problem the club has had between the pipes, with injuries and poor consistency frequently a problematic combination, albeit one which Boucher largely solved last season.

With the expected revamp of the club's defensive corps scheduled, he should, in theory, be better protected to shine next summer with Sam McCluskey and Dan Scott the first two pieces to the defensive puzzle. However, with a brand new blueline predicted by the Hull Daily Mail it looks likely that stalwarts Drew Bannister and Kurtis Dulle will not return for another year with the club adding to the almost certain departure of Trevor Read and Craig Mitchell's confirmed move to Dundee.

Boucher back for Stingrays

2011-05-16T09:16:00.000+01:00

More soon.

Osman joins Stingrays

2011-05-09T20:55:00.003+01:00

29 year old American winger Dominic Osman has today become the Excel Hull Stingrays first new import signing for the 11/12 season, joining the club from ECHL side Toledo Walleye.

Last season, in his second full year in the third tier of North American hockey the Michigan native registered ten goals and 25 points in 56 games in Ohio while playing alongside former Stingray favourite and GB international defenceman Dave Phillips.

The Lake Superior State University graduate began his career immediately prior to completing his college degree in fire science in 06/07, signing for the ECHL's Reading Royals, where he was forced to play defence and went on to record no points in a short three game stint to begin his professional career.

Osman then spent his rookie campaign in the CHL with the New Mexico Scorpions immediately troubling the scorers by registering 47 points in 60 games, before moving on to spend the beginning of his sophomore season with the Fort Wayne Comets of the IHL.

Having continued to rack up the points with 18 goals and 30 points in 37 games with the Comets, he was traded in mid-March ahead of the playoffs, moving to the Kalamzaoo Wings alongside teammate Dylan Row in exchange for Wings defenceman Rod Aldoff.

That proved to be a particularly profitable move for the 6'0, 200lbs forward who went on to score an impressive 14 goals in 15 regular season games on a Wings side that earlier in the year had seen now Stingrays record goalscorer Jereme Tendler net five goals in five games.

A move to the ECHL for a first stint with Toledo materialised in 09/10 before a mid-season trade saw him move to Florida in exchange for last season Dundee Stars blueliner Chris Zarb.

Once again the trade benefited the Stingrays newest recruit, who improved from scoring 22 points in 47 games with Toledo to bagging 15 in 20 in the Sunshine State.

He returned to Toledo last season, however, the 29 year old will now move to Hull hoping to recreate the a move from North America that fellow former K-Wing Tendler made last summer.

While a landmark 50 goals may not be expected from Osman, who set his current career best of 24 goals in his rookie year with New Mexico, player-coach Sylvain Cloutier would like him to replace either retired defensive forward Matti Uusivirta or last season's disappointment Konstantin Kalmikov, who between them combined for just 34 goals, 16 fewer than leading scorer Tendler having promised more early last summer.

Cloutier is understandably worried about his side being offensively blunt once again next term but he hopes Osman's signing will begin to ease those worries.

"Last season we had a big lack of secondary scoring. Our second unit struggled to put the puck in the net and at times we were carrying passengers and that hurt us."

With 87 goals and 157 points to his name in 235 professional career games thus far, Osman's resume suggests that he should in theory give the Rays another scoring option going forward and, hopefully, one able to regularly backup Tendler, who far too often was relied upon for clinical finishes last term. Cloutier said of his new addition:

"Dominic has a great offensive threat, he has got a great shot, he is a great skater, he competes and never takes a night. He has got some speed, which is something we did not have a lot of last season, and he will relish the bigger ice here."

It is naturally hoped that the drop from four-line hockey to three-line hockey and the subsequent increase in ice-time will give Osman, the Stingrays seventh signing of the summer, the chance to flourish as Tendler did much to everyone's surprise last season.

He joins British defenceman Sam McCluskey and Dan Scott, import forwards Tendler, Sylvain Cloutier and Jason Silverthorn and British forward Tristan Cameron-Harper on the Rays roster for the 11/12 Elite League season.

Osman first new import signing for 11/12

2011-05-09T09:23:00.002+01:00

29 year old American forward Dominic Osman has today become the first new import face to sign for the Excel Hull Stingrays ahead of the 11/12 Elite League campaign, joining the club after two years in the ECHL with Toledo Walleye and Florida Everblades.

More soon.

Silverthorn sticks with Stingrays

2011-05-02T14:20:00.003+01:00

Excel Hull Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier has today made 31 year old Canadian forward Jason Silverthorn his second import signing of the summer ahead of the 11/12 Elite League campaign.

Owen Sound, Ontario native Silverthorn, who joins Jereme Tendler and Sylvain Cloutier in a, thus far, three strong import contingent, came mightily close to setting a career best in points last season, falling just one short of his best of 52, set in 38 games in the 04/05 SPHL season, hitting the 51 point mark in 55 games in his sixth consecutive year in the Elite League.

Although for just the second time in five years the former Cardiff Devil and Edinburgh Capital fell just short of the point per game mark, he once again remained one of the most consistent performers game-in, game-out for the Stingrays as they completed the year in an Elite League era high seventh place.

Surprisingly to some he began the year as one of the club's top performers, claiming the October FBB Player of the Month award having registered six goals and seven assists in the club's opening month of the season.

Unfortunately, a massive hit from would-be Stingray Guillaume Lepine in a Stingrays fixture in Nottingham put paid to that impressive start to the season and, in truth, it took the centre a number of months to fully recover from the resulting concussion.

Nevertheless, Silverthorn bounced back and once again proved a useful utility player for Cloutier filling in on defence following the absence of a number of blueliners as usual playing in an unfavourable position with minimal fuss and few mistakes.

However, as the 10/11 season drew to a close it was clear his form had dropped, partly due to what must have been the long lasting effects of his concussion and partly due to the Stingrays' own poor form, and he finished the year on a notable low with goals hard to come by and the club overly reliant on the goalscoring prowess of Tendler and to a lesser extent Andrew Coburn.

Cloutier clearly highly rates Silverthorn's professional attitude, versatility and consistent performances as the Stingrays player-coach awarded him with Coaches Player of the Year at the end of season awards dinner despite a perhaps disappointing end to the season.

That and his decision to remain in the city this summer all but confirmed his return for a third term and Cloutier was therefore delighted when the Elmira College graduate agreed to re-sign.

"I am really pleased to have Silver back. He is a big part of our team, he brings a lot of experience and leadership and he is a total professional. I expect Silver to have a big season for us and for him to be one of our offensive leaders. I think if he had not got hurt this past season his numbers would have been different and he would have had a lot more, something I am expecting from him this year."

Silverthorn has previously talked about his desire to play with younger brother Steve Silverthorn, last season netminder for German second tier Bundesliga side Schwenninger Wild Wings, and with time running out on both of their careers the rumour mill has once again thrown up the 30 year old tenders name.

At this point, that would appear largely dependent on Steve Silverthorn's unlikely decision to move to the UK and with all signs pointing to a return for unremarkable but solid netminder Christian Boucher, the brothers may have to wait a while longer before playing together at a professional level for the first time.

Silverthorn joins British defencemen Daniel Scott and Sam McCluskey, British forward Tristan Cameron-Harper and imports Tendler and Cloutier on the Rays 11/12 Elite League roster.

Stingrays capture second Star

2011-04-25T07:18:00.005+01:00

The Excel Hull Stingrays have today bolstered their likely five strong blueline for the 11/12 Elite League season with the signing of up-and-coming British defenceman Sam McCluskey from Elite League rivals the Dundee Stars.

20 year old McCluskey joins the Rays as a like-for-like replacement for Craig Mitchell, who was today unveiled as a signing for Dan Ceman's Stars, with Mitchell joining brother and former Stingrays forward Lee Mitchell as a summer signing in Dundee.

Their switch along with last week's Stingrays addition of Tristan Cameron-Harper completes a much rumoured four player Tayside-Humberside trade-off of British talent.

McCluskey will come to Hull next season after spending the first six years of his career with hometown side Dundee having made his debut at the age of just 15 in a single appearance in the 05/06 Scottish National League campaign.

With Dundee languishing in the SNL and Northern Hockey League McCluskey had to wait for his chance in the top flight, recording 41 points in 77 games in the process.

He was handed his chance last season at the age of 19 as Dundee stepped up to the Elite League for the first time, and he largely impressed for his tenacious style of play. The Stars clinched the final playoff spot, one place behind the Stingrays, despite starting the year without a win in 15 games and the defenceman recorded two goals and five assists in the process.

His performances over the course of his 52 games season then earned him a selection to the Paul Thompson's preliminary 30 man Great Britain squad for the World Championships, in which GB narrowly missed out on promotion to Pool A for the first time since 1994, and Cloutier was similarly impressed by the Scot's talents:

"Sam had a really good season with Dundee. He is a smart defenceman who skates well and has a good first pass. Sam will be getting plenty of ice time next season and hopefully he can continue to progress. I liked what I saw when we played against Dundee last season. He is a good defenceman with a lot of potential. He was called into the 30-man GB squad for the games against Holland so it shows he is also in Thommo's [GB coach Paul Thompson] thoughts."

He is seen as the ideal replacement for the defenceman Mitchell and comes to Hull in a remarkably similar mould to that of the Rays former D-man, who joined the club with just one top flight year in Edinburgh under his belt, albeit the new addition is on the verge of the GB squad already.

If the Rays edge the Craig Mitchell-McCluskey trade-off, due to the pair's age and proximity to the national team, then the Stars edge the forward trade-off with older brother Lee Mitchell on the fringe of the national side. Although Mitchell has been injury prone in recent years and is also two years old than Cameron-Harper, who also has experience abroad, he is similarly on the fringe of the GB squad and has a number of solid years in the Elite League under his belt.

Dundee native McCluskey becomes the Rays third new British signing of the summer after friend and former teammate Cameron-Harper and former Telford Tigers D-man Daniel Scott signed up to the Rays for next season with both likely to receive substantiated ice-time.

Upon this signing Cloutier confirmed to the Hull Daily Mail that the Scot and Chatham born Scott are likely to make up two of a five strong defence once again next year for the Rays alongside three mostly new import blueliners.

While speculation rightly looks to have written off the chances of Latvian Aivars Gaisins and Canadian Trevor Read returning to the club after less than spectacular seasons, the future of standout D-men Drew Bannister and Kurtis Dulle looks less certain with both contemplating retirement.

Either way it looks likely that next years defensive corps will be guarding the net behind Christian Boucher with all signs pointing to a return for the unremarkable but solid tender.

Trade-off complete as Rays switch Mitchell for Cameron-Harper

2011-04-18T09:02:00.005+01:00

Sylvain Cloutier has today completed the signing of former Dundee Stars forward Tristan Cameron-Harper for the Excel Hull Stingrays 11/12 Elite League campaign with the Scot effectively replacing the recently departed Lee Mitchell in a like-for-like trade-off that last week saw Lee Mitchell return to Scotland with Dundee.

22 year old Cameron-Harper becomes the Stingrays fourth summer signing, joining Sylvain Cloutier, Jereme Tendler and Daniel Scott on the Hull roster following the conclusion of his first full season in the British top flight, in which he registered eight goals and nine assists in 39 regular season games with Dan Ceman's first year Stars.

Prior to joining his hometown side for the first time in 09/10 the 6'2 winger opened his professional career in the Netherlands at the age of 17, icing for Nijmegen in both the senior and under-20 league. While he dominated the Dutch junior league, netting 13 goals and 7 assists in 7 games, his professional career began with a bang as he lifted the Dutch championship alongside former Stingrays defenceman Kevin Young, picking up four goals and six assists along the way.

Following his lone season in Holland, the rangy power forward made the switch to North America in 06/07 and spent time in both the junior North American Hockey League, with St. Louis Bandits and Alpena Ice Diggers, and the Maritime Junior A Hockey League in Eastern Canada with the Yarmouth Mariners.

Upon returning to the UK in 2009, Cameron-Harper made his debut in the Elite League against Cardiff while on a trial with the Nottingham Panthers before heading home to record four goals and two assists in eight games in the Northern League with the Stars.

He made the step up to the Elite League alongside Dundee last summer and largely impressed thanks to his size, physical presence, fearless play and effective forechecking as the Stars ended memories of an awful start to the season by qualifying for the playoffs.

Although the only particularly memorable event that occurred to Cameron-Harper in Hull was his high-stick on captain Kurtis Dulle, he certainly caught the eye of Rays player-coach Cloutier, who believes both his size and style of play will make a difference to the Rays next season:

"Tristan is another up-and-coming kid who plays the game with an edge, which I like. He has size and plays physical, he scored eight goals in 41 games last season but I think he can get around 15 for us next year. Tristan players hard every night and pays the price. He brings a physical element which we lacked last year, we were a small team."

It is believed Cloutier was keen on snagging the Scot as soon as it became evident Mitchell was leaving and, while the two are statistically incomparable based on last season, Cameron-Harper appears to have more to his game than putting up points.

Having dropped the gloves with Nottingham Panthers tough guys Alex Penner and Guillaume Lepine in the last year, Cameron-Harper clearly plays the game with a fearless attitude and his added size may be the first in a line of big signings in a change of tactic by Cloutier

With the rush on British players now in full flow following Colin Shields departure from Belfast, it was important the Stingrays player-coach quickly moved to sign a replacement for Mitchell, particularly given demand for quality Brits is at an all-time high following the Elite League's drop in import limit from 12 to 10 for next season.

His signature as well as Daniel Scott's signing from Telford nullifies the departure of both Mitchell brothers, leaving Cloutier searching for at two new Brits to make up for the decrease in non-British players.

One player rumoured to be joining the Stingrays also from Dundee is 20 year old defenceman Sam McCluskey. A fellow Dundee native and a friend of Cameron-Harper, McCluskey is on the verge of the GB squad and is thought to have a bright future in the game, however, demand for him is high with a number of other Elite League sides rumoured to be chasing his signature.

Elsewhere, Cloutier also confirmed that, contrary to popular belief, British forward James Archer, who joined the club last summer only to leave amid the club's collapse, would not be joining the club on a full-time basis next year, instead suggesting he would return on a two-way contract with another English Premier League side.

Excel Hull Stingrays 10/11 Season Review: At The Back

2011-04-17T19:00:00.003+01:00

All photos copyright Arthur Foster

Netminders

Christian Boucher (61GP 3.68GAA 89.5sv.% 3 assists 0PIM)

Grade: C+

Return: Yes

Brought to the club on the back of a double winning season in Holland with a reputation for winning games on his own, the likeable Canadian had a somewhat average, fairly unnoticeable first year in the UK this season. While the he may not have won many games singlehandedly, the netminder also rarely if ever cost his side points or a win and that was certainly a positive in his second year in Europe. Behind a defence that was, prior to the arrival of Drew Bannister, frail, Boucher remained relatively solid and that continued when the former NHLer arrived. An obvious low point for the Ontario native was the 12-0 thrashing in Cardiff in Bannister's first game, in which he played the full 60 minutes, facing 42 shots, however, he rebounded well allowing just one goal the following night at home to Nottingham. Often caught out by both one timers at the back post and breakaways, the latter not helped by consistently poor team line changes or a slow retreating blueline, Boucher to his credit was an ever-present in the lineup and played at a ridiculously consistent level all year long, rarely slipping from that level. That reliability is key for Elite League netminders and as such his chance of returning looks high, nevertheless, his apparent lack of match winning ability did have some questioning whether Cloutier would roll the dice the summer looking for a keeper capable of winning a game on his own. The 27 year old NCAA graduate is a favourite in Hull and could certainly feel hard done by were he not at least offered the chance to return.

Andrew Jaszczyk (3GP 4.04GAA 85.7sv.%)

Grade: C-

Return: Yes

Backup netminder is undoubtedly the hardest role to play in British hockey and 21 year old Jaszczyk found that out more than ever this season, when his ice time was halved for a third consecutive year for no apparent reason. Statistically there isn't much to judge in the Brits three bit part appearances this season that totaled just 47 minutes. Even under circumstances such as Edinburgh's mid-season demise - normally perfect backup territory - the Rotherham born stopper remained on the bench more often than not. Unsurprising, given the team was chasing 6th place right up to the penultimate weekend of the year but nevertheless frustrating for Jaszczyk, who must now make a decision on his future ambition within the sport. A seemingly popular member of the squad that plays a number of important duties off-ice for Cloutier, he would undoubtedly be a welcome returnee for the Stingrays, and with starting opportunities in the English Premier League limited that would appear to be the obvious choice, unless a return to regular ice-time in the third tier English National League is preferred by the 21 year old.

Defencemen

Craig Mitchell (25GP 1+4 25PIM)

Grade: C-

Return: No

The younger of the Mitchell brothers, defenceman Craig returned for his second year in Stingrays colours hoping more ice-time and another year under his belt would propel him into contention for the Great Britain national side. Unfortunately, the 20 year old was largely robbed of that opportunity after breaking his arm blocking a shot in the club's second game of the year, a 6-1 loss in Braehead. A solid, dependable defenceman that Cloutier had a lot of faith in, Mitchell returned to action in November after just over a month out but was then again sidelined to a shoulder ligament injury, returning against Coventry in February only to find the injury had not healed. The former Edinburgh defenceman then allegedly had a closed doors disagreement with the club over the extent of the injury and didn't return, handing in his notice to leave Hull before the club's final games of the year, signalling the end of his brief two-year stint with the club.

Trevor Read (61GP 7+22 55PIM)

Grade: D

Return: No

Former Basingstoke defenceman Read came to the Stingrays after a below average year in France and almost immediately caused concern with his lack of pace, defensive mistakes and poor shot from the point. In short, at that point there was very little the Canadian did right on a blueline that had a huge deficiency in speed and was often caught out of position. The release of Latvian Kriss Grundmanis and signature of former NHLer Drew Bannister changed that though as Cloutier paired Read with the veteran signed from the AHL. Awful pre-Bannister, Read was now a fairly solid, if unspectacular part of the Rays defensive corps. Sure, mistakes were still made and Bannister's arrival didn't magically bless the 27 year old with speed or a good shot but he did improve his all around play and positioning, even if some believe that may have been down to Bannister's presence. Nevertheless, it is a credit to Read's character that he persevered throughout and it was definitely appreciated by the club's fans that he had faith to remain with the club post-summer collapse.

Kurtis Dulle (61GP 12+31 132PIM)

Grade: B+

Return: Yes

A late replacement for captain-to-be Joshua Mizerek, who re-signed in Holland after the club's collapse, Dulle turned out to be one of the captures of the summer by Cloutier. The offensive defenceman that the club had been craving since the days of Kevin Young and Craig Minard, he was named as an unlikely but more than capable captain in Mizerek's place and ended up an ever present in the Stingrays lineup. With his natural strengths going forward, bringing the puck forward from the back, his continuous hard work often went unnoticed as did his defensive play. The only minor criticism that could be aimed at the 31 year old is that he took too many penalties as he somehow clocked up a mammoth 132 minutes with no fighting majors. Still, the majority of this may be attributed to trying to do too much and often getting caught forward, which is understandable given the Rays lack of offensively capable defenceman. There has been talk of him retiring after spending this summer playing in the Australian league with the Sydney Bears, however, with Cloutier likely to have offered a contract, another year with the Stingrays could prove tempting.

Aivars Gaisins (49GP 0+4 81PIM)

Grade: C-

Return: No

Gaisins returned to the club for a second season and filled a hole on the Stingrays blueline, much like Trevor Read, after a debut year in which he was restricted to just two games after injury. The Latvian was signed as the club's sixth defenceman as a result of living and working locally but was called on increasingly this year after Craig Mitchell injury woes. As an import that was likely cheaper than the equivalent Brit, Gaisins was very useful in the higher import limit EIHL, however, his place in the team next year may be more difficult to justify after the Elite League decided to drop that limit from 12 to 10. While a handy, gritty player to have as a sixth or seventh defenceman, Gaisins probably isn't good enough to secure a full role in next seasons ten import Stingrays with the occasional mistake to his game at Elite League level and very few points. Nevertheless, it is likely he will remain in the city in his full-time job so should the Rays lack of depth on D strike once again he should be available to slot in as and when, assuming he most likely continues training with the side.

Drew Bannister (34GP 5+15 50PIM)

Grade: A

Return: Yes

Former NHLer Bannister signed on as player-assistant coach as one of the club's biggest ever signings after a full season captaining Binghampton Senators in the AHL in 09/10 and he easily stepped in to the place left by towering Latvian youngster Kriss Grundmanis, a bizarre player switch but one that obviously proved to be mightily effective for the Stingrays. Ignoring his debut, that now infamous 12-0 thrashing at the hands of Cardiff live on Sky Sports, Bannister made an immediate impact on the Rays blueline turning a previously slow, sloppy defensive unit into one that was one relatively stable. Although there were still issues at the back, mostly related to the opposition getting in behind the defence all too regularly and too easily, Bannister's impact was obvious, particularly on Trevor Read's game, which improved no end when he joined the club. Individually, club Defenceman of the Year Bannister was cool and calm on the puck, tenacious and hard working off it and as experienced and clever as they come, as would be expected for a D man that has played in three of the world's top leagues. Whether the seasoned pro returns to Hull for one last season at the age of 37 remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure, he will go down as one of the best ever defenceman to take to the ice as a Stingray.

MIA

Kriss Grundmanis (17GP 1+1 19PIM)

Grade: D-

Return: No

Signed as one of two towering European blueliners, Grundmanis never truly looked cut out for Elite League hockey and ultimately paid for lacking the physical, enforcing abilities of Jozef Sladok. The Latvian began the year being sucker punched by Cardiff's Justin Sawyer and his 17 game spell didn't get much better with his lack of physical play often frustrating for a 6'5 defenceman. Another likeable player but unfortunately one that came to the Rays too soon and was clearly too inexperienced for the British top flight. He ended his stay with the club by scoring his only goal in a 17 game spell with a fine individual effort against Coventry before joining English Premier League side Sheffield Steeldogs, where he played out the rest of the year, impressing in the process.

Also iced: James Hutchininson and Thomas Jeffrey (EPL Peterborough Phatoms), Thomas Ralph (ENL Kingston Jets)

Defenceman Scott is first new face for 11/12

2011-04-14T16:43:00.013+01:00

18 year old defensive prospect Daniel Scott has today joined the Excel Hull Stingrays for their 11/12 Elite League campaign. The Great Britain junior international joins the Rays having spent the majority of his rookie 10/11 season with the English Premier League's Telford Tigers, having also made his debut in the top flight while on a two-way contract with the Elite League's Coventry Blaze.

Scott recorded just one goal and three assists in 48 games with Telford on his return to the country this season having spending two years at Northwood School, an American high school specialising in hockey based on the edge of Lake Placid, New York. The Kent born defenceman, who originates from the Invicta junior setup, netted his lone league goal of 10/11 and the first of his professional career in the Shropshire club's final game of the year against the Guildford Flames as the Tigers finished eight points out of a playoff spot.

The blueliner is thought to be a real prospect for the British game having followed up two years in North America with that solid year in Telford which included a two-way six game stint at the Coventry Blaze. Although he recorded just four points in the EPL and failed to register in the Elite League, he made a good impression all season long for such a young player, and played regular minutes on his lone visit to the Hull Arena in Coventry's 7-2 triumph in mid-March

He went on to cap a good first senior season in the sport by playing a big part in England's 10-0 win over Scotland at the National Ice Centre prior to this year's Elite League Playoff Final between the Cardiff Devils and Nottingham Panthers. Neither appearance in Hull nor Nottingham went unnoticed by Stingrays player-coach Sylvain Cloutier:

"I am really excited to have Daniel on board. We saw him play for Coventry in Hull at the end of the season and he showed what a level-headed player he is. I saw him play for England at the Final Four weekend and he really stood out. I am excited to have him on board. Daniel is an up-and-coming kid and I want to help him develop his game and hopefully one day he will play for the GB national team."

Cloutier went on to describe the 6'0, 179lbs defenceman's strengths:

"Daniel is very calm and composed on the puck, he is a big kid and a good skater who has a lot of potential. He will add size to our back-end and he will be getting plenty of ice time at the top level and he needs to take advantage of that."

Scott comes to the club as what is thought will be a direct replacement for Scottish defenceman Craig Mitchell, who unceremoniously ended his two-year spell at the club at the tail of of last season after a disagreement behind closed doors over a wrist injury that limited him to 25 games.

Mitchell ended his stay at the club having iced in 77 games for the club, netting two goals while adding 12 assists, and his departure also saw brother Lee Mitchell leave Hull after six seasons, 225 appearances and 153 points.

Given the brothers departure and the decrease in import limit from 12 to 10 for the Stingrays next season, the club is likely to need a new influx of British talent this summer with no fewer than three new British signings required on top of the capture of Scott. That is of course assuming fellow Brits Ryan Lake, Lee Esders, Andy Hirst, Ben Lowe and Andy Jaszczyk all remain with the club for another year as is largely expected.

Mitchell ends six season Stingrays stint

2011-04-10T21:13:00.003+01:00

24 year old Scottish forward Lee Mitchell has today signed for Elite League rivals the Dundee Stars for the 11/12 season, thus ending his six year stay in Hull with the Stingrays.

The former GB junior international will join up with the Stars and player-coach Dan Ceman in August, ahead of the 11/12 season, for their inaugural season in the Elite League after they ended their first year in the top flight in a credible eighth place despite losing their first 15 games.

Kirkcaldy born Mitchell moved south to Hull in 05/06 as an 18 year old after two seasons with his hometown Fife Flyers and, with the Rays dropping down into the English Premier League, he became one of the club's leading forwards, netting 14 goals and 19 assists in 33 games in the club's largely unsuccessful year in the British second tier.

The club stepped up to the top flight the following year and, although Mitchell put in a career low in goals, while registering just 11 points in 50 games, he remained an ever present in the Stingrays lineup as he continued a promising start to his career.

He would go on to register career point high's in three successive seasons in Hull, notching 20 points in 40 games during 07/08, 30 in 54 during 08/09 and 35 in 44 during 09/10.

Joining the Rays as an Great Britain Under-20 international, Mitchell's progression over the year's from 18 year old prospect into one of the up and coming, must have British forwards has been clear to see and all things being well he should make his second appearance at the World Championships next week, after his debut in GB colours against the Netherlands last season.

Unfortunately, while in his first two seasons in Hull he was evidently still developing, Stingrays fans have been largely robbed of seeing the Scot at full flight at full potential for a full season after injury problems severely blighted his six season stay, and that may leave a sour taste in the mouth as he moves north of the border to Dundee next season.

Those injury problems, particularly his numerous knee injuries, have restricted him to just two 50+ game seasons in six years in Hull, while this past season he was able to ice in just 27 games. That said, although he has missed more than 70 games over the years, including more than 30 this season, Mitchell ends his stay in the top five of all the clubs all-time records charts, sitting in second in appearances (255), fourth in goals (59), third in assists (94) and third in points (153).

Undoubtedly one of the best British players to have iced for the Stingrays, and certainly one of the most loyal servants to the club during it's eight year existence, Mitchell's departure is a big blow to Sylvain Cloutier's team building plans and leaves a big hole in Rays roster for the 11/12 Elite League campaign with just Jereme Tendler signed up for next season.

Brother Craig Mitchell is already expected to have quit the club after a supposed disagreement during his lengthy spell on the sidelines with a wrist injury and Lee's defection from the club, while possibly costly depending on the quality of his replacement, is no surprise with Belfast and Braehead previously rumoured to have been ready to sign.

With the Elite League dropping the import limit down from 11 and 12 to 10 for the upcoming season Brits, and more importantly quality international Brits like Lee Mitchell, are invaluable and the loss of siblings will put extra strain on Cloutier, who will now have to find three extra homegrown players on top of what he had at his disposal this year providing no further Brits leave the club.

Considering every Elite League side will be most likely adding at least one Brit to account for the new rule change, prices for players from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are likely to rise in line with demand and as such that search may not be as easy as it initially sounds.

Tendler nets final hat-trick of the year with awards treble

2011-03-31T09:34:00.001+01:00

Jereme Tendler the Excel Hull Stingrays record goal and points scorer in one season has capped off a magnificent year by claiming an awards treble at the club's End of Season Awards night at Holiday Inn Marina in Hull.

The Canadian forward, whom the Rays have re-signed for next season, deservedly picked up the fans awarded Forward of the Year and Player of the Year before his teammates voted him Players' Player of the Year after a outstanding season in which he has scored a record 50 goals, 81 points, 16 powerplay goals and 11 shorthanded goals.

Elsewhere, in his first year in professional hockey after signing from NCAA Division I college University of Alabama - Huntsville rookie forward Andrew Coburn picked up the Most Improved Player, award from fans. Naturally, it took the 24 year old time to adapt to both the British and professional game, however, once he did he became one of the Stingrays standout performers and signings of the season.

Forward Ryan Lake picked up British Player of the Year for his, at times, short but sweet and energetic performances in a comeback season in which he scored five goals and added five assists in 44 games.

Player-assistant coach Drew Bannister was deservedly awarded Defenceman of the Year for turning around the Rays rearguard upon signing in November while captain Kurtis Dulle won the Clubman of the Year award.

Finally, and perhaps somewhat surprisingly to many, Jason Silverthorn won Sylvain Cloutier's Coaches Player of the Year for his professional attitude.

Match Highlights: Excel Hull Stingrays 1-2 Cardiff Devils

2011-03-28T10:27:00.001+01:00

Stingrays KO'd by Devils; end season with heads held high

2011-03-27T21:41:00.003+01:00

Cardiff Devils 6-3 Excel Hull Stingrays

The Excel Hull Stingrays tonight brought the curtain down on their 10/11 Elite League campaign after they were unable to overturn a 2-1 deficit in Cardiff, going down 6-3 in their Playoff Quarter Final Second Leg for an 8-4 aggregate loss.

The task of beating the Devils in Cardiff is one few teams have accomplished this year but that is what the Stingrays had to do following their tight 2-1 loss last night.

However, first period strikes from Brad Voth, Tylor Michel - who both netted in the 2-1 win less than 24 hours earlier - and Ryan Finnerty made a difficult task that bit harder - despite a Jereme Tendler 14th minute goal - with the Rays now requiring three goals in the remaining two periods to take the game to overtime.

The Devils then rounded off their scoring for the quarter final with three further second period goals from Craig Weller, Scott Matzka and Jon Pelle. Those three goals dealt the fatal knockout blow to the Stingrays, however, consolation third period strikes from Konstantin Kalmikov and Andrew Coburn ended the scoreline on the night at 6-3 and on aggregate at 8-4, closing the Stingrays season out in Playoff Quarter Final defeat.

Ultimately, the Stingrays couldn't have asked for a harder opponent in the first round of the playoffs and in the end the Devils - who arguably should have claimed their first ever EIHL title this year - showed their class to see them off for the eighth and ninth time in 10/11 to reach their eighth consecutive finals weekend.

Cardiff now progress to take on Belfast in next weekend's finals weekend, while Sheffield face fierce rivals Nottingham in semi-final's on Saturday before the showpiece playoff final on Sunday afternoon.