Stingrays land former NHL defenceman

HULL STINGRAYS have moved quickly to bolster their ranks by landing former NHL defenceman Drew Bannister.

Player-coach Sylvain Cloutier released Latvian defenceman Kriss Grundmanis yesterday, claiming the 21-year-old was not ready to compete at Elite league level.

But former Tampa Bay Lightning and Edmonton Oilers defenceman Bannister should have no problems coping with life in the UK's top tier.

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The 36-year-old Canadian was a second-round draft pick by Tampa in 1992 and went on to make 176 appearances in the world's top league. He also has more than 200 games in the AHL under his belt and has played in the top-flight in Germany, Finland and Russia.

Having won the Ontario Hockey League twice, the Memorial Cup (CHL), the Calder Cup (AHL) and the German Bundesliga, Bannister is by far Hull's biggest-ever signing.

"He is a proven winner," said Cloutier. "He has won a lot of championships and knows what it takes. He is a character guy.

"It's the biggest signing I have had and I am extremely excited Drew has agreed to come here.

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"It was a no-brainer. The calibre of player we are getting is top notch. He has been around a long time and his resume speaks for itself.

"I have played against Drew in the past, I know what he can do and he knows what I am all about. It went from there and it was done in a day and a half."

Bannister spent five years playing in Germany before returning to North America to sign a one-year, two-way contract with the Ottawa Senators, spending the campaign with their AHL affiliate Binghamton and making 57 appearances in which he contributed four goals and 10 assists.

"I'm coming first and foremost to play hockey and to help the team win," said Bannister.

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"But I'm also coming to hopefully help out with the younger players on the team and to bring the experience I have gained in the 17 years professional hockey I've played."

On Grundmanis, who scored one goal and one assist in 17 games for Hull, Cloutier added: "He has a lot of potential but he needs to get regular ice time and that is something he wasn't going to get here.

"He was highly recommended and came here with high expectations but he is not ready to play at Elite League level yet."

Stingrays are next in action on Wednesday night when they travel to Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Steelers, who have already beaten them 6-3 twice this season.

Cloutier is hoping Bannister will be in place in time for Hull's live televised fixture at Cardiff Devils on Friday, November 26.

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