Dulle itching to lead his Stingrays troops out

Dulle, 30, was brought in by player-coach Sylvain Cloutier after he was forced to revamp his roster when five players originally signed in the summer opted to go elsewhere following the club's temporary closure in early August.

With new owners on board, Cloutier has quickly replenished and even added to his line-up, although the off-ice turmoil meant the team has been forced to start their campaign a month after the Elite League season started.

Dulle, a veteran of North America's CHL, will lead his team out for the first time against Cardiff Devils at Hull Arena on Sunday night and believes the Stingrays have plenty of promise.

"It was a big surprise to be named captain but I was honoured to take it," said Dulle, who will be backed-up on the ice by fellow defenceman Trevor Read and talented British forward Lee Mitchell, after they were named as assistants by Cloutier.

"Clouts has done a great job in putting the team together and there are a lot of positive signs.

"It's going to take time to get to where we want to be as we are just starting while other teams have been together for a few weeks now. We can't wait for the first game - I think adrenalin will get us through against Cardiff."

Off the ice, the new owners have been boosted following news that Excel Laminating will, after all, return to take up its role as the team's title sponsor.

It will be the Hull-based company's eighth season as title sponsors.

On Monday, Cloutier was finally able to get down to business with his squad when the first full training session was held at Hull Arena.

Eight new imports, including Dulle, Read, goaltender Christian Boucher, forwards Andrew Coburn, Jereme Tendler and Matti Uusivirta along with defencemen Jozef Sladok and Kriss Grundmanis, took part with only Canadian forward Jason Silverthorn missing as he is still out of the country.

Cloutier is happier with his new roster when comparing it with the original one he compiled during the summer and, as well as tougher defence and a more widespread offence, is hoping to contribute more in terms of points himself.

He said: ""I am expecting more from myself.

"After a year out, it took me time to adjust to playing at this level, especially as a player-coach, but towards the end of the season I started to get going and I hope to contribute a lot more to the scoring this time."