Larke expected to have impact on Stingrays

HULL STINGRAYS’ player-coach Omar Pacha says American forward Matt Larke is “ready to explode” after agreeing to join the club for the 2014-15 Elite League season.
Hull Stingrays' forward Dominic Osman.Hull Stingrays' forward Dominic Osman.
Hull Stingrays' forward Dominic Osman.

The 26-year-old, from Michigan, spent last season playing in the Central Hockey League with both Rapid City Rush and Tulsa Oilers, amassing a combined 26 points, including nine goals, over the course of the season from 58 games.

The previous year, Larke was more prolific when scoring 47 points, including 19 goals, for Bloomington Blaze.

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Pacha, who succeeded Sylvain Cloutier as player-coach in April, said he believed Larke could prove to be a valuable addition on his top two forward lines.

“I spoke to his old coach in Bloomington and he told me he would coach Matt every day if he could,” said Pacha.

“Matt is a good team player and I think he is ready to explode.

“He is going to have a chance here on the top two lines to see what he can give us.”

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Larke could find himself playing alongside fellow summer signing Dominic Osman, whose return to the club was confirmed last week.

Osman played last season in the Southern Professional Hockey League with Huntsville Havoc, registering 36 points, including 14 goals, in 61 games.

During his previous two-year spell in Hull between 2011-13, Osman posted 85 points, including 52 goals, in 123 regular-season and play-off games.

His first season was made memorable when helping the club reach the play-off final four weekend in Nottingham for the first time.

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