Hull Stingrays are pleased to announce the signing of Canadian defenceman Trevor Read for the 2010/2011 Elite League campaign.

The 29-year-old Calgary native is no stranger to the Elite League having iced for Basingstoke Bison during the 2008/09 season and he completes player-coach Sylvain Cloutier's roster.

Read began his career with Fort Saskatchewan Traders in the Alberta Junior Hockey League and then spent a season with South Alberta Institute of Technology in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference before turning professional in 2002 when he joined Toledo Storm of the ECHL, helping them win the divisional title.

The following season Read split his time between Toledo and ECHL rivals Peoria Rivermen and Long Beach Ice Dogs, where he stayed until 2005 before moving to the Central Hockey League with Austin Ice Bats.

After a brief spell, Read finished the 2005/06 season with Amarillo Gorillas (CHL) and enjoyed two more years with them until a move to Europe materialised, with Basingstoke his destination. Last season he was in France with Gap HC.

Read said: “I'm very excited to be part of the Hull Stingrays organisation this year. Although the situation in Basingstoke was tough I really liked the style of play in the Elite League.

“The quality of play and competitiveness is great. I was looking forward to getting back in the Elite League and can't wait to suit up for the Stingrays.

“I believe I can bring some experience to the back-end and help strengthen the defence core. I also want to help out at both ends of the rink.

“My expectations for this year are to make the play-offs. I think having seen the players we have signed we will have a good team and anything can happen in the play-offs.”