Ondrej makes his Stingrays' return as Valecko's axed
ICE HOCKEY
MARTIN Ondrej has made a shock return to Hull Stingrays to replace axed Tomas Valecko.
The Slovakian defenceman yesterday paid the price for eight straight defeats which has seen Stingrays slump to the foot of the Elite League.
After a steady first campaign in Britain, Ondrej told Stingrays he did not wish to return to the UK this season.
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He changed his mind in July, only to find coach Sylvain Cloutier had already filled his roster, and so signed for his home town club HC Presov.
Cloutier's chosen defensive quartet, though, has failed to deliver a watertight backline this season, paving the way for Ondrej's return to training today.
Cloutier said: "Martin was one of the players from last season I wanted back but for personal reasons he decided to stay close to home.
"But we have kept in touch as he really enjoyed his time here before.
"Martin is a good guy in the dressing room. He was very consistent last season, he competes, he keeps things simple and does what you tell him.
"I know what I'm getting with him and he knows what he's getting into with us."
Ondrej's arrival signals the end for Valecko, 27, who joined Stingrays from rivals Edinburgh in the summer and registered four points from his 12 games.
And Cloutier is hoping the 28-year-old Slovakian will provide the competitive grittiness, which tended to be absent from the defensive side of the more attack-minded Valecko's game.
"Martin competes and battles and I'm glad he is back on board," said Cloutier.
"I felt it was time to make a change and shake things up.
"We have been close in most of the games but we need to start winning.
"I feel there is a weakness at the back and it is an area we need to strengthen."
Apart from shipping too many goals, Stingrays are also struggling to find the net up front, with only the Janis Ozolins, Dominic Osman and Matty Davies line really firing on all cylinders.
It has already led to suggestions that Cloutier needs to turn his attention to finding a new forward.
And Cloutier admits if "near-miss" defeats do not soon turn into victories the axe may fall again.
He added: "Tomas has paid the price, but that's not to say he's been totally at fault for our performances.
"I don't want guys squeezing their sticks, but if we don't start scoring more goals we'll have to look at different options.
"Bobby McEwan (Stingrays' owner) and I said on the bus back to Hull after losing to Dundee on Sunday that we need to do what's best for this hockey club.
"And what's good for this hockey club is winning more games."
Comments
by PeteGy102
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 12:40PM
“VnR
You've hit the nail on the head with regard to bringing the youngsters on. If anything I think Ward should be given a bigger shot hes a super-hard worker and is very quick when he gets going. It would also be nice to see the Silverthorn line start working, however I have this nagging feeling that Tendler doesn't always pull his weight. Very impressed with Hand this year, a real hard worker and living up to the hype.”
by VoiceNreason
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 10:28AM
“Deffo an upgrade on Valecko. But imo the 2nd and 3rd lines need to get more productive.
It is obvious to one and all that the OZALINS - OSMAN - DAVIES line is working very well so how about a 2nd line of TENDLER - SILVERTHORN - HAND and a 3rd line line of WARD - CLOUTIER - SYKES. Then when possible a 4th line of the young kids FISHER - TOWNER - FOSTER.
I expect Ondreij to partner Lovedahl now. With Scott Robson and the 5th D man.
At the very least the kids will skate and skate and skate and with say Smith and Hand on D will look after them on the ice.
For those of us who go back to the glory days of British hockey it was the young Brits who got up the noses of the Imports. Speed kills age-ing legs and that keeps our bigger players fresher for the 3rd period. Its not rocket science when all is said and done.”