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Elite League ice hockey club Hull Stingrays liquidated

A close up of a faceoff during the 2013 USA Hockey Pond Hockey National Championships on February 9, 2013 in Eagle River, Wisconsin. The three-day tournament features 2,400 participants from 30 states playing a round robin tournament on 28 rinks laid out on Dollar Lake.
Image: Hull Stingrays have gone bust

Elite League ice hockey club Hull Stingrays have folded after their failed attempt to find a new owner.

Bobby McEwan had been in charge at Hull Arena for three years, with the team reaching the play-off finals weekend last season.

The Glaswegian, who had been involved with ice hockey in the city since 1988, had been working hard to find a new owner and described the decision as the toughest he has ever faced.

"It is with great sadness I have to inform you that this is the end for Hull Stingrays,” McEwan told the club’s official website.

"The loss of a major sponsor, increased operational costs, the introduction of ice-time charges as well as the shortage of fans attending our matches have left me with no other choice but to liquidate the club.

"There had been interest from parties willing to take control of the club but once that failed to materialise there simply was no other alternative.

"Reaching the play-off finals weekend and coming within a whisker of progressing to the final last season filled me with immense pride.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my three years in charge of the Stingrays - it was a dream come true for me. Sadly, that dream has now come to an end.

"It has been an extremely stressful time for my wife Debbie and I and this is the toughest decision I have had to make in my life.

"I would like to apologise to (player-coach), Omar Pacha, (assistant-player coach) Carl Lauzon and (captain) Matty Davies for not being able to build on last season's success.

"Finally, I must thank our loyal supporters for all their backing over the years - I am just sorry it has had to end this way."

Stingrays have been replaced in the 10-team league by Manchester Storm.

Director Mark Johnson said: "These are exciting times for ice hockey in the Manchester area and when we were approached by the EIHL to join the league we pulled out all the stops to make it happen.

"This has become part of an even bigger picture for ice hockey in the region and we are looking forward to growing the fanbase and the grassroots of the sport in the area, alongside the re-birth of one of the iconic names in British sport."

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