Senators Article: Ray expects fistic challenges
February 21, 2004

Posted by: Bob Howard
Credit: Scott Lauber of Press Connects.com

Ray expects fistic challenges

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Press & Sun-Bulletin

BINGHAMTON -- For the past 14 years, Rob Ray has made a good living in the NHL by dropping his gloves, so fighting will be as big a part of his conditioning stint with the Binghamton Senators as anything else.

And there's no shortage of AHL tough guys who will be willing to trade punches with one of the top enforcers in NHL history.

In his first game since being signed as a free agent last week by Ottawa general manager John Muckler, Ray was goaded into a fight by Syracuse's Brandon Sugden in Wednesday night's first period. His likely dance partner tonight will be Providence's Colton Orr, and Trevor Gillies will probably be waiting for him Sunday in Springfield.

"I knew it would be like this when I came down," said Ray, whose 3,193 penalties are sixth-most all-time in the NHL. "But when I was in the American League, I was the same way."

Ray, 35, declined Muckler's offer to be a player/assistant coach with Binghamton this season. But he agreed to come out of retirement to bring a dose of toughness to Ottawa's lineup against more physical teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs.

He's expected to play four more games for the Baby Senators before joining Ottawa. For Ray, this represents a chance to win a Stanley Cup, something he fell two victories short of with the Buffalo Sabres in 1999.

"If I wasn't excited about this, I wouldn't be here," said Ray, who hadn't played in the minors since 1990. "I believe (Ottawa) has a great opportunity. At this point in my life, I don't need to be riding the buses in the minors. I'm at the point where I'll do what needs to be done to help (Ottawa) win."

ON THE MEND

Another NHL veteran is almost ready to return to Binghamton's lineup.

Right wing/assistant coach Jody Hull has resumed practicing and said Friday he's about 10 days from playing in a game. That tentatively sets Hull's return for Feb. 29 in Hershey or March 3 in Wilkes-Barre.

"I've been riding the bike hard for the last month, so it's just a question of getting my timing back in practice," said Hull, who had surgery in early January to repair a torn abdominal muscle.

This was not the season for Hull to get injured. A 15-year NHL veteran, he stood a strong chance to play in Ottawa if injuries struck, and the organization has been ravaged by them this season.

"Everything is 20-20 hindsight," Hull said. "When you get hurt that's part of the game. Casualties happened in Ottawa and here, and unfortunately, I wasn't healthy to help out."

SLAP SHOTS

Center Serge Payer is expected to be sent down from Ottawa in time for tonight's game. ... The Senators released defenseman Ian Manzano and center Dominic Forget from tryout contracts and returned them to Johnstown of the East Coast Hockey League. ... The Calder Cup will be in Binghamton on March 23-24 as part of its annual 49-day, 11-city tour around the AHL.