Cloutier gives Stingrays’ players stay of execution

Cloutier placed his entire team on two weeks’ notice midway last month and brought back defenceman Kurtis Dulle to help arrest a poor run of results.

Due to the 10-import rule that exists in the Elite League, Cloutier will have to release one of his overseas players as they don’t currently have a big enough budget to keep all 11 and use them on a rotational basis.

An announcement was expected last week on who was to be released, but injuries have forced that decision to be shelved for at least another fortnight.

Cloutier - whose team travel to Fife tonight for the first of three games in six days - revealed yesterday that the club’s owners had granted a further two weeks’ grace, mainly due to the improved results and performances since the Canadian first threatened his players with the sack.

“Our budget is tight so unless another solution comes up we’re going to have to make a decision at some point ,” said Cloutier.

“But, for now, the owners have said that the guys are playing well and for me to keep things the way they are going.

“The team are making it extremely difficult for me, but these three games this week are big for us and we need the points, so we’ll see who steps up and delivers.”

Hull head to Fife for the second time this season, hoping to repeat the 6-1 triumph they enjoyed over the league newcomers in Kirkcaldy last month.

The Scottish club have, not surprisingly, found it difficult to adjust to life at the top level but, with a number of recent import signings should - like Dundee last season - become a tougher proposition in the weeks to come.

They have won just one game so far - a 3-2 Challenge Cup win over Edinburgh Capitals - and welcome Hull after suffering heavy losses to Braehead and Nottingham at the weekend, although Cloutier will be taking nothing for granted.

“Fife are a good hockey team and you can’t take anyone for granted,” said Cloutier.

“They came into our arena and took a point and we’ve got a long bus ride up there. It was a tough game there last time and I don’t expect things to be any different this time.”