Harper signs for Stingrays

Excel Hull Stingrays can today confirm the signing of British forward Tristan Harper for the 2011/12 Elite League campaign. The 22-year-old spent last season with rivals Dundee Stars, posting eight goals and nine assists from 41 games.

Harper played for Nijmegen Devils in Holland in the 2005/06 season, helping them win the league, before a spell with St Louis Bandits in the NAHL.

He then iced for Yarmouth Mariners in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League but returned to the UK in 2009/10, playing once for Nottingham Panthers prior to moving to Dundee.

Harper joins player-coach Sylvain Cloutier, player of the year Jereme Tendler and fellow new recruit Daniel Scott on the Stingrays roster for next season.

Cloutier said: “Tristan is another up-and-coming kid who plays the game with an edge, which I like. He has size and plays physical, he scored eight goals in 41 games last season but I think he can get around 15 for us next year.”

Cloutier added: “Tristan plays hard every night and pays the price. He brings a physical element which we lacked last year, we were a small team. I am really pleased to have Tristan with us next season and I know he will make a big contribution to this hockey club.”