Glasgow Clan coach Pete Russell says it was a hard decision in choosing to move on four players from his team.
Netminder Joel Rumpel, defensemen Zach Sullivan, Michal Gutwald and winger Vaclav Stupka have left the club as Clan start to get ready for the new season.
And Russell extended his thanks to the quartet for their contribution in helping to secure fourth place.
“I would like to thank Joel, Michal, Vaclav and Zach for everything they have done here on and off the ice,” he told the club’s website.
“It’s never easy making these decisions, but I have to look to do what I believe is best for the club as we attempt to make our group of players stronger.”
The departure of Sullivan that’s one that will shock the Clan support, after spending five years at the club since joining in 2014, making over 300 appearances.
During his time, he won Young British Defenceman of the Year twice and captured four Gardiner Conference titles since signing from Basingstoke Bison.
Clan’s Chief Operating Officer Gareth Chalmers paid tribute to the 24-year-old and wished him well for the future.
He said: “I would like to thank Zach for the past five seasons with the club. He is very highly regarded here and has played a major part in a number of memorable achievements at the club.
“Like Pete, I’d like to wish Joel, Michal, Vaclav and Zach all the very best in their future careers.”
Sullivan tweeted his reaction to the news and thanked Chalmers and former coach Ryan Finnerty, now at Manchester Storm, for bringing him to Scotland in the first place.
He said: “The toughest week of my career being told I wasn’t being signed back for @ClanIHC. Thank you @GarethChalmers and @Finner16 for putting your faith in me five years ago. Love this club and wish it all the best in the future! #NewChapter #ThankYou”
