The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Stars keep hold of Rutkis and Inglis as rebuild gathers pace
Dundee Stars have resigned forward Toms Rutkis and defender Kris Inglis as new head coach Jeff Mason’s squad rebuild continues to come together.
Former Cardiff Devils and Coventry Blaze forward Rutkis played a versatile role with the Dundee side last season.
And Dundonian Inglis will ice for the club for a sixth consecutive season and continue in his role as a solid presence at the back.
After signing up Rutkis for a second season in Dundee, Mr Mason said: “I think he fits in really well with how I want our team to play.
“He is really aggressive on the forecheck, can come back defensively and he can go to those hard and dirty areas where you have to go to score goals.
“I liked what I saw in him last season and I think he has the potential to improve further and push for a bigger role with more responsibilities and more ice time. “
Despite being born in Riga, the 24-year-old has played all of his hockey in the UK and has represented Team GB on 14 occasions at Under-18s and Under-20s level.
Rutkis came through the English youth leagues with teams such as Guildford Phoenix and the Okanagan Hockey Academy but his main development club has been Swindon Wildcats.
Rutkis is excited to be working under Mason for the forthcoming season.
The player said: “I think it is very exciting having Jeff as the new head coach.
“Obviously he has been around a team that had huge success last season and knows what it takes to get to that point.
“I think it will be great for my personal development and the club as a whole.”
Rutkis also wants to see the club progress and build on the heights of last year, when they
reached the play-offs in Nottingham.
He said: “Throughout last season we showed that we can compete with any team on any given night and making the play-offs was a big achievement.
“I think though that it definitely raises the bar for the forthcoming season.
“We want to be competing in every game and finishing in a higher spot in the league this year.”
Dundonian blueliner Inglis has now racked up 236 Elite League appearances, with 24 assists and 107 penalty minutes.
Mr Mason said: “I told Kris that this could be a very big year for him and I look forward to working with him.
“We expect him to be a solid part of our d-core and we are going to need guys to contribute up and down the line-up and I think he certainly fits the bill.
“So, I am excited to have him back for another year and I know he wanted to return for another year and that was something important to him.”
After penning his new deal, Inglis said: “This season will be a great opportunity for myself to learn from someone who was once a very good defenceman and I am confident that Jeff will bring out the best in me.”