FORMER Hull Stingrays coach Sylvain Cloutier has confirmed he will not be back in Britain next season.
The popular Canadian was not offered a new contract after five seasons at the helm in Hull.
He has already been replaced by his former Stingrays team-mate Omar Pacha, with another former team-mate, Carl Lauzon, as his assistant.
However, LINN Consortium – the group mounting a hostile bid to take over the club from team owner Bobby McEwan – told a fans' meeting late last week they aimed to reinstate Cloutier as coach next season.
The implication was that the 40-year-old would also join the four-strong board of Luke Foster, Nigel Roberts, Nic Gough and Ian Mowforth.
"I'm moving on from hockey in the UK, I won't be back next season, we have made our decision as a family," Cloutier told the Mail.
"That's been the plan since Bobby let me go.
"We visited one of my daughter's schools yesterday and have agreed our leaving date will be in mid-June.
"I've already emailed Bobby to confirm that."
Cloutier reiterated his previous stance to the Mail that he had enjoyed his five years at the Rapid Solicitors Stingrays, but added he would part with one regret.
"The only thing I am sad about is I knew the final game of the season against Belfast in the play-offs might be my last one, but I didn't definitely know for sure.
"But, when you look at it now, I've nothing to be sad about. I've had 20 great years in the sport and the game has been good to me.
"Now I'm moving on and, as I've said before, as one door closes another one opens."
Cloutier's public stance appears a bitter blow to the Consortium.
They have submitted their pitch to take over the franchise from McEwan, believing it will be discussed at today's Elite League board meeting in Hull.
But Gough said: "I have always understood from newspaper reports that Sylvain is planning to go home after Bobby did not renew his contract.
"That does not mean to say the Consortium will not be consulting him if we are successful with our bid.
"We would like to wish Sylvain all the best whatever happens."
A league spokesman insisted again yesterday the Elite League are backing McEwan until the Scot decides to sell the club.
