Stingrays: Cloutier signs 'twin tower' Sladok
HULL Stingrays' coach Sylvain Cloutier believes Jozef Sladok can be one of his "twin towers".
The 6ft 5in Slovak is Stingrays' third import defenceman and is expected to add a physical presence as Cloutier plots his new Elite League campaign.
A product of the HK Zvolen junior system in Slovakia, the 22-year-old has also spent time in North America with Plymouth Whalers and Corpus Christi Icerays, as well as English Premier League side Romford Raiders.
Cloutier knows what he is getting from the Slovak, having coached him at the Icerays.
"Having had the chance to coach him in the CHL I know exactly what he brings to the table and he's just what I've been looking for," said Cloutier.
"With losing Matt Suderman and Guillaume Lepine we needed some physical presence and Jozef will bring that.
"He's going to be watching everyone's back and he will do anything he needs to do for his team-mates.
"He will be one of the twin towers, along with another guy we are trying to sign."
Like forward Jereme Tendler, who signed late last week, Sladok was on Cloutier's original hit list of players to sign earlier this summer.
However, he had to ditch plans to sign the pair when Stingrays cut their playing budget from the allowed 12 imports to 10.
As far as Cloutier is concerned, it's better late than never.
"I've always been tracking Jozef," said Cloutier.
"He would have been one of the players I wanted to sign in the past when I thought I could have 12 imports.
"Unfortunately, with everything going on it fell through, but once I knew I was coming back to Hull I went back after him again to make sure I could get him here.
"I also went back in for Jereme, so it's strange how things work out sometimes."
5 Comments
by Ice Man, Still In A Cold Place
Thursday, September 09 2010, 12:19PM
“AN ERROR HAS OCCURED ? again ?
Surely if Clouts has the chance to get Doug Nolan then he will get him. The new owners will want a signing of this quality to get the fans/arena BUZZING AGAIN. Sure the extra paying punters will pay his wages for sure ? Go Rays.
..”
by Ice Man, Still In A Cold Place
Thursday, September 09 2010, 12:16PM
“AN ERROR HAS OCCURED ? again ?
Surely if Clouts has the chance to get Doug Nolan then he will get him. The new owners will want a signing of this quality to get the fans/arena BUZZING AGAIN. Sure the extra paying punters will pay his wages for sure ? Go Rays.”
by chris, hull
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 8:17PM
“Doug Nolan to EIHL is a rumour on one of the hockeyfights forums. Don't think we could afford him but he would have played against Cloutier in his AHL days. Possibly Brad Gratton could convince to go to Caps, though i doubt there budget would be any better than ours.”
by Ice Man, Still In A Cold Place
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 11:22AM
“Like the look of this kid alot. He gives as good as he gets in fights which is all you can ask for in a fighter. But a massive heavyweight would be great 2.
Having watched Lepine he did not stand out for me, so far. Ok one game, but if he is that good surely he would. Maybe the change of ownership of the Rays will allow better Imports than before and as Clouts has said he can watch others teams and assess what he needs to complete the roster.
The one thing that Nottingham and Belfast have is speed and good skating skills. That is massive and must be matched or you are dead in the water.
Overall it looks as good if not better than before.
Andrew Coburn for James Archer is an improvement already. 11 imports to 10 is another. So the signs are good. Top 6 has to be the main aim for this season and is very possible. Looks good. Go Rays.
The New Look Logo looks alot meaner as well. Not as girlie as before. lol.”
by chris, hull
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 9:50AM
“Are we now going with twelve imports then, as the article kind of suggests? Sladok looks like Lepines replacement, a young and hopefully hungry player who's playing abilities and fighting abilities will hopefully improve year on year. I do hope though we sign a Joly or Lizon to replace Suderman as i still think we need a proven heavyweight with that extra experience on defence.”