Doucet doing the business for Cloutier at Hull

Hull’s player-coach Sylvain Cloutier has been markedly impressed by the Stingrays’ summer signing of Guillaume Doucet.

Doucet has spent the past two seasons in France with Morzine-Avoriaz, posting 52 points (27 goals and 25 assists) in 65 games. Prior to that he had four years with McGill University and came highly recommended by Great Britain international Colin Shields, who iced with the Canadian forward in France.

Nine goals in four pre-season games has seen Doucet make a promising start and an instant bond with his line of Jereme Tendler and Matty Davies.

After picking up an assist in the defeat to Nottingham Panthers on Saturday night, Doucet produced two goals and an assist as Stingrays opened their Rapid Solicitors Elite League Gardiner Conference campaign with a 5-2 win over champions Braehead Clan on Sunday.

Cloutier said: “We had a lot of good reports on Douce but I guess until you get to see a guy you never know how they will perform. But he has done a great job and he is someone who comes to work every day. He competes and never takes a shift off.

“For a smaller guy he is extremely strong on the puck and I am glad he is on our side as I know a few other teams were after him. Hopefully he will help with the scoring so we don’t have to count of Tends every night. He has made a great start.”