The five-time French champion ROUEN HUSKIES published a new telecommuniqué, announcing a few new developments. They named Francois Colombier as new manager of the Elite League team and welcome Aldo Ramelet and Sébastien Grimaud on the roster for the 2009 season. They also say farewell to a few players.
Colombier is not a new face in Rouen. During his active career he played for PARIS UC (1981-87), SEVRES (1987) and ROUEN (1988). He filled a few positions after coming to Rouen, including club president in 1993. He took a break from 1993 till 1997, when he moved to Montreal, Canada for two years. He returned to the HUSKIES in 1997 and is a vice president since. Between 2002 and 2004 he was responsible for the Elite League squad. The past four seasons he worked as an assistant coach under Robin Roy, Boris Rothemundt, Sébastien Bougie and Dany Scalabrini. According to HUSKIES president Xavier Rolland one of the main reasons to promote Colombier to manager is the fact that Scalabrini wants to concentrate on his playing career. He will be supported by Scalabrini (hitting coach) and Keino Perez (pitching coach).
In addition to a new skipper ROUEN is introducing to new players to the club. Ramelet is an outfielder, who is coming from CLERMONT-FERRAND. He had a batting average of .073 (OBP .188/SLG .073) in 20 games. Grimaud is a utility player from SAVIGNY. He batted .244 (.340/.278) with three doubles, 14 runs scored and 13 RBIs in 30 games. Last week they announced that Jean Philippe Miet comes out of retirement to join the HUSKIES.
However three players are also leaving ROUEN. The brother of staff ace Keino Perez, Randy is returning to his home country Venezuela. He batted .341 (.411/.511) with twelve extra base hits, 32 runs scored and 29 RBIs in 40 games. He led the club with four homeruns. He also appeared in ten games as a reliever posting an ERA of 1.42 in 12 2/3 innings.
Pitcher Jean-Baptiste Couton is returning to his former club MONTIGNY, which is getting promoted into the Elite League. The southpaw had a few problems with his control on the mound, walking 18 in ten innings, leading to an ERA of 7.20, although opponents batted just .176 against him. At the plate he had four hits in 28 at bats in 16 games.
The HUSKIES will also miss their number one option out of the bullpen, as Laurent Aoutin is leaving the club for CHARTRES due to work-related reasons. He had a 5-0 record in a team-leading 23 games (one start) with an ERA of 3.98. He struck out 35 in 43 innings, while walking 24.