Getting To Know The South Carolina Stingrays
The Washington Capitals’ ECHL affiliate, the South Carolina Stingrays, begin their 25th anniversary season one week from today. The Stingrays will host the Greeville Swamp Rabbits next Friday at 7:05 PM at the North Charleston Coliseum.
Coming off an excellent season last year, that saw the Stingrays fall to the Colorado Eagles in the Kelly Cup finals, South Carolina is poised for another strong reason with the addition of five rookies to their group. With another exciting season of Stringrays hockey around the corner, here are some of the players to watch:
Forwards:
Robbie Baillargeron #42 – Joining the team for the 2017-2018 season, a former Boston University player who played three seasons for the Terriers. Baillargeon helped BU storm their way to the NCAA Championship game in 2015. Baillargeon finished his collegiate career at Arizona State University.
Tim McGauley #18 – In his second season for the Stingrays, McGauley is on a three year contract with the Washington Capitals. Coming off an outstanding junior career in the Western Hockey League. McGauley spent 276 games with the Brandon Wheat Kings, leading them to the WHL Championship during the 2015-2016 season.
Taylor Cammarata #11 – Signed by the Stingrays just a month ago, the Plymouth, Minnesota native played nearly 150 games with the University of Minnesota. Cammarata was a part of four straight Big Ten regular season titles, and the Big Ten Tournament title during the 2015 season. during his junior career in the United States Hockey League (USHL) Cammarata was given the USA Hockey’s Junior Player of the Year award.
Nick Roberto #20 – Another rookie for the upcoming season, the Boston University alum made quite an impact during his freshman year, finishing with 18 points. Keep an eye on this guy in big games, as he has a habit of scoring big goals in big games. To list a few; before enrolling at BU he scored the overtime winner in the NEPSIHA Small School title, he scored a goal and an assist against the University of Maine during an outdoor game at Fenway Park, and the game-winner at Madison Square Garden to knock off Cornell.
Defensemen:
Joey Leach #7 – With over 200 games under his belt in the ECHL, Leach is no stranger to pro hockey. Listed at 6-foot-4 and around 205 pounds, the defensmen spent last year splitting time between the Stingrays and the AHL’s Hershey Bears. Leach was an essential element in the Stingrays’ Kelly Cup run last year and should be a force to reckon with this coming season.
Travis Walsh #25 – Prior to playing at the pro level, Walsh spent four years on the blue line for the Michigan State Spartans, two of those as alternate captain. Last season with the Idaho Steelheads, Walsh contributed 27 points in 65 games.
Goalies:
Carmine Guerriero #32 – The Montreal native spent four years at the University of Alabama-Hunstville where, during his sophomore year he posted a .928 save percentage in 29 games. Guerriero also spent time in the Central Canadian Hockey League, and was named the league’s best goaltender while playing for the Hawkesbury Hawks.
These players, combined with some fresh faces, plus a lot of returning talent put this hockey club in a very promising situation to make a push for the Kelly Cup. All things considered it should be another outstanding year for the boys in South Carolina!
