MEET THE STINGRAYS - Jake Riddle
By Mark Bateman
24th October 2007
Stingrays American Forward Jake Riddle speaks about life away from home, His time in the NHL and what he thinks of the team and what they can do this season.
When Hull Stingrays Coach Rick Strachan changed his team's style of play in the summer he had a problem or was it a Riddle?
Well, Jake Riddle turned out to be the answer. Strac's was looking for a forward who scored goals and would not be bullied by opponents. Riddle has spent more time in the penalty box than any other player in the Elite League so far this season and he has scored some pretty good goals too.
The Minnesotan came over here looking for a challenge, but admits he has taken time to adjust. "I miss my family and girlfriend most, you miss seeing the people you love every day. As for the games they are a lot earlier here at about five o'clock, they're usually seven or seven thirty where I'm from, also the rink sizes here are a lot smaller."
Riddle was a draft pick for NHL side Minnesota Wild in 2001 and remembers the moment very well. "It was really cool, I was actually one of the first home grown Minnesotans to be picked by the Wild. It was exciting, I mean when you get recognized to go play in an elite league it's an honour."
Since moving to the Stingrays Jake has spoken about the team gelling after the changes rung in during the summer. I asked what he thought of the team and what they can achieve this season.
"It's just the factor of doing it everyday on a weekly basis, we can't afford to take nights off. We've found we can win; we can beat anyone we want too if we put the effort in and get the right balances on the night." Jake then confidently told me "We are going to make the Play - Offs this season."
Riddle had a torrid time getting to the UK including a passport to tatty to travel with and customs lost his suitcases "They lost my luggage so we're just trying to settle on the money then I'm just going to have to buy a whole new wardrobe."
Contact | Hull Stingrays Ice Hockey Club. All Rights Reserved Unless Stated Otherwise.
Website by Jaison Lemos De Gouveia and Jesse Webb | Lifetime Sports CIC, PO BOX 7255, Kiln Farm, Milton Keynes, MK13 OXP
