Bakrlik seemingly sent to Coventry

The 28-year-old Czech forward was the team’s third highest points scorer this season with 22 points, including six goals, in 27 games.

Stingrays’ player-coach Sylvain Cloutier had been left with the dilemma of axing one of his imports after leaving himself with one too many after bringing back 2010-11 captainKurtis Dulle to help shore up a porous defence.

A decision was originally expected last month but, due to injuries and a short run of good form, it was put back until yesterday.

“We brought Frankie here to make a big contribution to our scoring and to be one of our leading goalscorers,” said Cloutier. “We expected more but unfortunately things have not worked out for him.

“He is a good guy and a good team-mate and we wish him all the best for the future.”

Bakrlik arrived in Hull in the summer having been known personally to Cloutier, who had played alongside him at Adirondack Frostbite in the UHL between 2003 and 2006. The Hull coach had tried to bring him in midway through last season but the ddeal fell through.

Shortly after the announcement on Monday night, Coventry head coach Paul Thompson tweeted that he was taking Bakrlik in on a short-term basis to help cover injuries, suggesting that if the 6ft 5ins forward impressed he could earn himself a longer deal.

The Coventry management team own the Stingrays after stepping in to buy the club after it had been shut down by former owners Mike and Sue Pack last August.