HULL,U.K-Yes you read it right Jonathan Bernier is leaving the heady heights of Wichita Thunder to join the Excel Hull Stingrays in the Elite league. Whilst the Stingrays are in need of a starting netminder they have not signed NHL prospect Jonathan Bernier from under the Los Angeles Kings noses. They have however, signed a 23-year old defenceman, who split last season with Wichita and the Arizona Sundogs, and has been signed by Stingrays coach Rick Strachan to provide protection to his teammates and play “solid hockey”. “He is tough and is not afraid to drop the gloves, he is a great team guy and will stand up for his team-mates,” Strachan said “His first job will be to protect his team-mates and make sure we don’t get pushed around – he knows that, his second job will be to play solid hockey.”
Strachan was full of praise for his latest aquisition. “He is dedicated and hard-working and he wants to improve his game and become a better hockey player,” Strachan said “He is young and has a long to way to go but this is an opportunity for him to improve, he will surprise people with his hockey ability.”
Photo courtesy of www.arizonasundogs.com
Bernier who has spent the previous two years of his pro career in the CHL, joins the Stingrays for his first season in Europe after recording three goals, seven assists and 448 PIM’s which has mainly come from his 52 professional career fights. He most certainly continues Rick Strachan’s theme of a tough, physical team as he joins Jason Kostadine as one of many new imports in the side.
Joining Kostadine, Bernier and Lee Mitchell is last seasons club captain Jeff Glowa, who has re-signed for a record fifth season in Hull.
Glowa is the Stingrays all time leader in games (194), goals (94), assists (111) and points (205) and has been a staple of the Stingrays team since he joined in 2004-2005 when he formed an irresistible partnership with fellow Canadian’s Scott Wray and Dru Burgess.
It is expected that the Stingrays will make another signing later this week (June 20) as they continue preparations for the 2008-2009 Elite League season which begins in early September. Contact the author at Christain.ward@prohockeynews.com
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