Cloutier leaves Hull

[Neil]

www.eliteleague.co.uk/no-cloutier-hull-return-p191615

[cooperphil156]

He did a great job -Wouldnt think he will have difficulty finding another good job, albeit probably not involving playing.

[BigLad]

Absolutely nuts decision from Hull tbh.

Got to be a money issue.

[tootootrain]

Apr 10, 2014 18:23:02 GMT BigLad said:

Absolutely nuts decision from Hull tbh.

Got to be a money issue.

Is it definitely Hull's decision?

Sylvain Cloutier has confirmed he is leaving Rapid Solicitors Hull Stingrays by mutual consent

.

Maybe Cloutier just wants to try sonething else?

Whilst it seems money has always been an issue at Hull this move may not be money based.

[scorch125]

Should have been in charge at the blaze next season,instead they choose a rookie coach with limited experience.

[GuinnessMan]

Wasn't expecting that tbh

[Phil Mitchell]

Does this mean that if Clouts is not coming back to Hull, there are greater expectations from the owner - like winning the grand slam.
Or is it a case of that the owner needs to look at a change as they won't get much further on under the current coach

[ted logan]

Surprised by this one.

Is Big Doug lined up for his latest EIHL job?

[kezypanther]

Really surprised but maybe he's going to try NA again ?
He knows how to find some good players.
Don't think Doug should be the main to take over.

[GuinnessMan]

I'd guess with Hulls budget they would want a player-coach.

[Carnell]

Apr 11, 2014 6:26:55 GMT GuinnessMan said:

I'd guess with Hulls budget they would want a player-coach.

Was thinking the same thing, maybe Bergin fancies his chances, knows the league, was Finners assistant in Braehead & most importantly still plays the game!

[Pies]

It dies say they're looking for a player coach

[Phil Mitchell]

More from today's Hull Daily Mail

www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull-Stingrays-Sylvain-Cloutier-disappointed/story-20947865-detail/story.html

[gump]

Those Grandslam expectations of coaches only exsist in the mind of Tony Smith and the Squeelers.

[kgw]

Apr 11, 2014 15:12:49 GMT gump said:

Those Grandslam expectations of coaches only exsist in the mind of Tony Smith and the Squeelers.

This is such a bizarre comment from someone who claims they used to be a Steelers fan. 'Squeelers', really? It's as bad as the Steelers fans who say 'P.a.n.t.i.e.s.' (edited as it auto-corrects to Panthers - nice touch).

I think Hull will miss Clouts. I'm sure he was the main reason for their relative success this year and in previous years.

[Phil Mitchell]

It makes you wonder what ambition Hull have next season - to win the league. Unless somebody takes over the club with an open cheque book - it will stagnate like some of the other clubs. I suspect Cloutier has parted company with Hull due to lack of ambition from the owner.

[David]

I take it this has been seen?
lawriebangshisdrum.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/matt-suderman-statement-on-bobby-mcewan.html?m=1

As the former captain of the Hull Stingrays I feel it's my responsibility to let the fans of the Hull Stingrays know just how poor Bobby McEwan treats his players. It's disappointing to me that there is another party willing to take over the club and McEwan refuses to run his team in a professional manner, he is grossly incapable of running a hockey team and has shown time and time again that he couldn't care less for his players. A glaring example of this is how he's chosen to part ways with his biggest asset, someone who has been loyal to the organization for 5 years, Sylvain Cloutier. Sylvain could work in any league in North America, his resume speaks for itself. And while I can't speak for Clouts, I'm confident Bobby's own ego and jealousy have pushed a potential coach of the year out the door.


A lot of my words were twisted and taken as the reason I left Hull, and at the time I was hesitant to be truthful and outspoken because of the amount of money still owed to me by Bobby McEwan, and for that I apologize. But I can now say that the one and only reason I left is because he is like no person I've ever dealt with in my career. During my time I had numerous verbal altercations with McEwan over his unprofessionalism and I felt it was my responsibility to stand up for my teammates and demand better treatment, in a way I was hoping my departure would help, but it appears nothing has changed.

Things were so bad that players were paying for portions of their skates/equipment because McEwan refused to buy certain brands (which were higher quality), he claimed they only wanted that brand because it was more expensive and thought everyone was out to get him. In one case, a player you could call a "star player" payed the entire amount owing on his skates because McEwan was holding them over a ridiculous individual player sponsorship dispute. In my 10 years of pro hockey I've never seen anything like it. McEwan refused to give his players even the smallest luxury, like soap and shampoo. He asked players to pay for a meal at a mandatory "meet the players" function, everything he could possibly put on the players he would. Bobby McEwan has given the fine city of Hull and the Stingrays as a club, a terrible name in the hockey player fraternity, which to me is very unfortunate and unfair for the fans who are supporting him and putting food on his table.

It goes right down to the housing conditions and team issued transportation. I couldn't have possibly lived where I was any longer, I was claustrophobic living with two other guys in a 2 bedroom apartment with absolutely no privacy. Problems with furniture, half furnished apartments and 10+ year old beds. When a player asked for a new bed because of a bad back, McEwan responded "I'll just get a new player then". He was hesitant to add a dinner table in a players apartment claiming "they can just eat off their laps". The team cars are not even road worthy, they're down right dangerous. One player had to repair the exhaust on his own fearing carbon monoxide poisoning, as he could smell the exhaust in the car, the same player had to replace the tyres, on his own bill. That player is still waiting, and likely will not receive reimbursement. I haven't seen anything even remotely close to this, like I said, in my 10 years playing pro hockey.

He owes numerous players, including myself, a considerable amount of money. He had a deal with a long standing, high scoring player, where the player would find his own accomodations, and he'd pay an agreed upon amount of that rent. After 2 months, he decided that wasn't the deal anymore and the player was stuck paying his own rent, likely the only player in the EIHL to do so at the time. Another player was told his salary counted as expenses, and not wages even though he had a contract. The player was struck with a serious injury that even required hospital time. He was eventually healthy enough to return 10 weeks later and was then given his release, and I can confirm that this player should not have been released, he was released because Mccewen didn't want to pay him. He was given 3 weeks pay out of the 10 he spent seriously injured. Another head shaker, the team ended up having a season ticket holder as the backup goalie, which is fine. But the player went on every roadtrip and to every home game and every practice, never asked for a wage, Bobby McEwan refused to refund his season ticket.

Somehow Bobby McEwan worked out a deal where the team would receive money for players attending schools and working with the kids. A majority of the visits were done by younger British players who didn't receive a salary. They were promised money for these visits and went to schools two, sometimes three times a week, some of the visits were for three or four hours. None of them have seen a dime of the money promised, all of the money went straight into McEwan's pocket. During Movember, a player had somebody fundraising for him during a game, for charity. Bobby McEwan was irate, claiming this player was taking money from him, and even demanded a cut of the money raised.

Not only does he treat his players poorly, he couldn't care less if they win or lose. Prior to our must win challenge cup game in Cardiff. I heard him tell a player that he hoped we'd lose, so he didn't have to pay for the team to travel to Belfast for the quarter finals. There were many other issues I had heard of from previous seasons and even issues I was directly involved in, I feel as though being outspoken about the matter is necessary if it means theres even a small chance of improving things for current players and former teammates, or future players who are my brothers in the hockey family. One thing is certain, the best thing for the Stingrays organization would be the departure of Bobby McEwan.

[cooperphil156]

Wow - can see an exodus from Stingrays - Get Tendler please CN and GM.

[kingmonkeybutt]

more i read about other teams owners more i like neil black

[Thomas Elliott]

Matt Suderman's comments have certainly stirred the pot and from the outside looking in it seems like McEwan is going to be a disliked man.

My only comment would be that this is only one side of the story, and if it was so bad, as Suderman explains, why do some of these genuinely good players keep going back to them year on year?

Tendler, Silverthorn, Bowns, Chamberlain, Clouthier himself, Campbell, Dulle and no doubt a fair few more have all had multiple years at Stingrays, surely it's not as bad as being made out right?

[BigLad]

Apr 13, 2014 19:14:32 GMT cooperphil156 said:

Wow - can see an exodus from Stingrays - Get Tendler please CN and GM.

I'd go for Doucet before Tendler tbh.

[BigLad]

And more...a local businessman who wants to take over the club but his take-over is on hold at the mo:

www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Nic-Gough-s-Hull-Stingrays-takeover-plans-ice/story-20954503-detail/story.html

[kezypanther]

Apr 14, 2014 12:32:37 GMT BigLad said:

Apr 13, 2014 19:14:32 GMT cooperphil156 said:

Wow - can see an exodus from Stingrays - Get Tendler please CN and GM.

I'd go for Doucet before Tendler tbh.

Have them both ? One line sorted.

[pantherdman]

Elite league chairman only intrested in money shocker!!! Lol

[BigLad]

Another takeover attempt? Or 2 teams in Hull?

www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull-Stingrays-Nic-Gough-rival-bidder-team-fans/story-20964085-detail/story.html