Post by JP on Nov 21, 2007 17:44:41 GMT 1
Hull Stingrays
EXCEL Hull Stingrays have wrapped up the signing of Russian-born sniper Slava Koulikov.
The 29-year-old forward has plumped for Stingrays ahead of a number of rivals.
He will make his second 'debut' in Belfast on Saturday before facing league-leaders Coventry Blaze at Hull Arena on Sunday (7pm).
His return means Stingrays have not extended Austrian forward Gerhard Gottfried's month-long trial.
Koulikov spent four seasons with Stingrays before moving to Basingstoke in the summer. He resigned earlier this month to move back nearer his Hull home.
Team owner Sue Pack said: "I know Slava had a number of attractive propositions from other teams, but he's accepted our offer.
"I was hoping, given the past relationship between us, that we would float to the top of the pile.
"Having played with us he knows a lot of his team-mates and Rick Strachan's systems.
"He's what we need, given we have been battling without a full squad of fit players."
Koulikov's return will not be a universally popular move.
There is a nagging fear he will once again fail to reach his undoubted potential.
But given Stingrays' small budget and big injury list, Pack believes Koulikov will fit the bill.
"It's very difficult for non-players to understand how it feels to have to play week-in, week-out knowing that every game you will be shorthanded" she said.
"You know you have to produce not just your best, but more, as you are trying to compensate for players who are absent altogether or players who are playing but are carrying injuries.
"Our fans will focus on the Stingrays, but Edinburgh, Basingstoke and Manchester are all in this predicament, none of whom collected a point last week.
"You can draw a line across the league table that separates the clubs into batches for a multitude of reasons. Budgets and injuries are two key things."
It is no great surprise Gottfried was not handed a new contract.
He was brought in for a month while defenceman Jani Virtanen recovered from a broken collarbone.
Pack said both finances and performances played their part in Stingrays' decision.
"As a club we cannot support 11 imports, when we can only play 10 at a time" she said.
"Gerhard came on a trial basis, and he added legs, but not necessarily some of the other components we needed if we were going to convert his temporary deal into a permanent one."
Gottfried flew home yesterday, and Virtanen was scheduled to arrive in Britain last night.
He has been recuperating in Finland since being injured in September, but is back in Britain for further treatment.
"We needed Jani here for more tests on his shoulder and to continue his treatment under the umbrella of the club" said Pack.
"Gerhard had been sleeping in Jani's bed while Jani was in Finland as we had no other accommodation available."
EXCEL Hull Stingrays have wrapped up the signing of Russian-born sniper Slava Koulikov.
The 29-year-old forward has plumped for Stingrays ahead of a number of rivals.
He will make his second 'debut' in Belfast on Saturday before facing league-leaders Coventry Blaze at Hull Arena on Sunday (7pm).
His return means Stingrays have not extended Austrian forward Gerhard Gottfried's month-long trial.
Koulikov spent four seasons with Stingrays before moving to Basingstoke in the summer. He resigned earlier this month to move back nearer his Hull home.
Team owner Sue Pack said: "I know Slava had a number of attractive propositions from other teams, but he's accepted our offer.
"I was hoping, given the past relationship between us, that we would float to the top of the pile.
"Having played with us he knows a lot of his team-mates and Rick Strachan's systems.
"He's what we need, given we have been battling without a full squad of fit players."
Koulikov's return will not be a universally popular move.
There is a nagging fear he will once again fail to reach his undoubted potential.
But given Stingrays' small budget and big injury list, Pack believes Koulikov will fit the bill.
"It's very difficult for non-players to understand how it feels to have to play week-in, week-out knowing that every game you will be shorthanded" she said.
"You know you have to produce not just your best, but more, as you are trying to compensate for players who are absent altogether or players who are playing but are carrying injuries.
"Our fans will focus on the Stingrays, but Edinburgh, Basingstoke and Manchester are all in this predicament, none of whom collected a point last week.
"You can draw a line across the league table that separates the clubs into batches for a multitude of reasons. Budgets and injuries are two key things."
It is no great surprise Gottfried was not handed a new contract.
He was brought in for a month while defenceman Jani Virtanen recovered from a broken collarbone.
Pack said both finances and performances played their part in Stingrays' decision.
"As a club we cannot support 11 imports, when we can only play 10 at a time" she said.
"Gerhard came on a trial basis, and he added legs, but not necessarily some of the other components we needed if we were going to convert his temporary deal into a permanent one."
Gottfried flew home yesterday, and Virtanen was scheduled to arrive in Britain last night.
He has been recuperating in Finland since being injured in September, but is back in Britain for further treatment.
"We needed Jani here for more tests on his shoulder and to continue his treatment under the umbrella of the club" said Pack.
"Gerhard had been sleeping in Jani's bed while Jani was in Finland as we had no other accommodation available."
