Hull offer new contract to Esders

Esders played for Newcastle Vipers before the Stingrays

Hull Stingrays have handed forward Lee Esders a second-year contract after impressing during his rookie season.

The Beverley-born 19-year-old has already gained experience in the Elite League on the Rays' third line.

Coach Rick Strachan told BBC Radio Humberside: "Lee is so enthusiastic and works really hard.

"He gives his all out on the ice, the fans love him and he feeds off that, he makes mistakes but that is all part of the learning process."

Esders scored three goals and made three assists in 62 games last season and will be one of Strachan's British contingent in his new look team for 2008/09.

And the Stingrays coach said he expects the youngster to continue to improve: "He knows he will get the opportunity to play, the more he played last year, the more confident he got and the better he became.

"He is fearless, he wants to learn and improve his game and he is only going to get better."