Bakrlik hooks up with Stingrays

The 28-year-old will team up with Cloutier for a second time after the two played together in North America for the Adirondack Frostbite in the UHL six years ago.

Since then, the winger has spent his time playing in Poland and Hungary, as well as a short time back in his native Czech Republic.

“Frankie is a guy I know all about,” said Cloutier. “He is a big power forward, he plays physical and hits you hard. But he is also a great skater and has a good shot.

“He has put up some numbers in Poland and I think he can do a great job for the team. He can be a ‘go-to’ guy for us.”

Bakrlik, who will also be reunited with defenceman Dmitri Suur having been team-mates at Adirondack as well as Podhale Nowy Targ in Poland, admitted the chance to team up with Cloutier again was a big factor in him agreeing to move to East Yorkshire.

“Clouts is great guy and a very good player,” said Bakrlik.

“I don’t know him as a coach but from our playing days I think we are on the same page if we are talking about hockey.

“Dmitri is my very good friend. I have known him a long time and it’s always nice to have somebody like him on the team.”

THREE former Sheffield Steelers’ netminders have agreed to attend the Festival of Hockey in August, which is being staged to mark the club’s 20th anniversary.

Wayne Cowley, part of the 1996 grand slam squad will fly in from Toronto and will be joined by the Steelers’ original netminder, Andy Havenhand, and Finnish legend Pasi Raitanen.

Both Cowley and Raitanen will play in the legends match against the Cardiff Devils on the August 27 at the Motorpoint Arena.