Sylvain Cloutier has completed his roster with the signings of Finnish centreman Matti Uusivirta and British forward Ryan Lake.
Uusivirta and Lake join Stingrays
Hull Stingrays head coach Sylvain Cloutier has completed his roster for the 2010-11 Elite League season with the signings of Finnish centreman Matti Uusivirta and British forward Ryan Lake.
Uusivirta, 25, joins from the Espoo Blues in the Finnish Elite League and comes with a reputation of being an outstanding skater and a talented two-way centreman.
At 6ft 3in, the Helsinki native is also a strong face-off man and has the ability to play both shut down and scoring roles for the team.
Lake returns to the Stingrays after a period away from the game.
Experience
"Matti will be a big part of why our team will succeed this season," said Cloutier. "The Finnish Elite League is a very high standard and he's played very much a defensive forward's role when he's played at that level.
"When he's played games in the Second Division Mestis League he's had much more of an offensive role and he has put up some respectable numbers.
"He's going to have the opportunity to play a more offensive role for the Stingrays and I'm going to be counting on him to provide the offence to contribute to us winning games this season.
"He's going to bring some size and experience down the middle of the ice for us and with him being a great face-off guy and very strong defensively, I'm expecting him to make a really strong all-round contribution to the team.
"His skating ability is another thing that really attracted me to him. He's the power, speed and agility skating coach for NHL star Thomas Vanek's hockey camps and you don't get to have that sort of role unless your skating is top drawer. I'm really looking forward to playing with and coaching him."
Lake returns to a Stingrays roster he last played for when the team was plying its trade in the now defunct British National League in 2005-06 but has plenty of Elite League experience having spent two seasons with the Sheffield Steelers before returning to Hull.
Character
Now 27, Lake netted 10 goals in 31 games in his last season for the Stingrays.
"I am extremely pleased Ryan will be a part of the Hull Stingrays for the upcoming season," added Cloutier.
"He a local boy who was a fan favourite when he played here before and I know he will be a fan favourite again because of his great character and the determination he possesses.
"Ryan will bring a lot of grit and energy to our hockey club and his tenacious style will really frustrate the opposition. I want him to be a pest on the ice. He is fresh and ready and very excited to play in front of his hometown fans again.
"I feel that with me giving Ryan the chance to play for us and prove himself here it will be beneficial to us all. He wants to be here and that is the type of player that will make our club succeed. Nothing is better than hungry players."
