It may look and sound a little different – and at least in one respect, it might even be improved – but South Carolina’s Stingrays hockey will return for its 28th season on Friday night at the North Charleston Coliseum.
The opening of the Stingrays’ 7pm season against Greenville Swamp Rabbits represents the first large-scale event at the Coliseum since an alternative country star show Sturgill Simpson on March 10, just before the coronavirus pandemic ended much of the sports business and shows.
“It will be different,” said Stingrays President Rob Concannon. “At the moment, I am in a good mood and optimistic. Yesterday I was a little nervous about everything. But we are excited to be the first big event at the Coliseum again and look forward to starting our season.”
With the peak of COVID-19 across the state and country, participation in Stingrays games will be limited to 2,700 spectators at the 13,000-seat Coliseum. Fans will be required to wear masks and will not be able to get as close and personally to players as in the past. And Concannon said that players will have to be careful away from the rink and will not be able to go out and socialize with fans as before.
But there will be hockey at the Colosseum, which is not the case in many places now.
The National Hockey League and the minor American Hockey League have not yet started their seasons, and 10 of the 26 ECHL teams have chosen not to play this season.
This leaves many hockey players out of jobs, and the increased supply of players has benefited the Stingrays and other ECHL teams who are playing this season.
“With the NHL and AHL not playing and what is happening in Europe, and with 10 teams in our league giving up, there are about 200 players available who would not normally be,” said Concannon. “So there will be a lot of good hockey players at ECHL on opening night and throughout the season.
“I think our division and league will have a high level of talent this year.”
The Stingrays had a record of 44-14-4 and with 92 points they were tied for first place in the ECHL with the Florida Everblades, when the last season was interrupted on March 14 by the pandemic. They were the first team to win a playoff spot and were the favorites to win the fourth Kelly Cup title.
Ryan Blair is the tenth coach in the history of the South Carolina Stingrays.
Ryan Blair, an assistant coach on the team last year, was named head coach over the summer after Steve Bergin left to become assistant coach at Sacred Heart University.
The club returns a core of players from that team, including seven of the top 10 scorers. Returnees include defender Tariq Hammond and forwards Max Novak, Tim Harrison, Dan DeSalvo, Cole Ully and Andrew Cherniwchan, back for their ninth season with the Stingrays.
South Carolina also added six players from AHL affiliate Hershey: Goaltender Hunter Shepard; strikers Caleb Herbert and Mason Morelli; and defenders Macoy Erkamps, Will Graber and Tyler Nanne.
Players must follow ECHL’s COVID-19 protocols, which include quarantines upon arrival in Charleston, tests twice a week and careful off-ice behavior. For example, players can only eat at restaurants approved by the club.
“We talked to them about their roles in all of this,” said Concannon. “They have a lot of duties to do that will dictate how far it goes, and we hope, as an organization, to do everything we can to control it.”
In games, fan interaction with players will be limited, seats will be socially distant and concession offers will be limited compared to previous seasons.
The Stingrays’ first nine games include games against just three different teams: Greenville, Jacksonville and Wheeling. The rest of the schedule is due to be announced next week.
“We are excited,” said Concannon. “It is not a perfect situation, but as we continue to play, we hope that the vaccine will be launched and that it will help everyone. We are optimistic, but we are also cautious because we know that something serious is happening in our country now.”
- One of the Stingrays’ most popular events, the annual Teddy Bear Toss, will be held on December 19th. This year’s event will be “virtual” as fans are invited to donate teddy bears at Crews Chevrolet and Frothy Beard Brewing Co. starting December 12. On game day, fans can play teddy bears in Crews Chevrolet vehicles on their way to the Coliseum.
- The Stingrays beat Greenville 6-3 in a December 6 performance in Greenville, with Dan DeSalvo and Cole Ully scoring twice each. Goalkeeper Alex Dubeau started and played every 60 minutes to win the net, with 29 saves.
Stingrays Program
December 11 – Greenville; 18 – in Jacksonville; 19 – Jacksonville; 26 – in Greenville; 27 – Greenville.
January 1 – in Greenville; 2 – in Jacksonville; 8 – Wheeling; 9 – Wheeling.
Future games to be announced.
Talk to Jeff Hartsell at 843-937-5596. Follow on Twitter @Jeff_fromthePC