The South Carolina Stingrays have officially announced their qualifying offers for the 2025-26 season per ECHL guidelines. League rules permit each team to reserve the rights of up to eight qualified players, including a maximum of four veterans (players who have played 260 or more regular-season professional games before the upcoming season). Teams cannot trade players who are currently on open qualifying offers.
Qualifying Offer Rules
Each qualifying offer must remain valid until July 22. If a player does not accept the offer by that date, the offer becomes null and void. At that point, teams may choose to sign the player to a new contract or take no further action. For non-veteran players, a valid qualifying offer ensures the team retains their rights for one playing season.
In the case of veteran players or goaltenders with over 180 professional games played, the team retains their rights only until July 22. After that, if not signed, the player becomes a restricted free agent and may negotiate with other ECHL teams. Teams cannot trade restricted free agents. If such a player receives a contract offer from another team and wishes to accept it, the ECHL, the player’s original team, and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association must be notified within 24 hours. The original team then has seven days to match the offer.
If a restricted free agent is not signed to a new offer sheet or contract by August 8, they become an unrestricted free agent.
South Carolina Stingrays 2025-26 Qualifying Offers:
Goaltender
- Seth Eisele
In his first professional season (2024-25), Eisele appeared in 31 games for the Stingrays, posting a 2.30 goals-against average (GAA), a .914 save percentage, and a 19-10-1 record. He also played one game with the AHL’s Hershey Bears, recording a 4.10 GAA and a .800 SV%.
Defensemen
- Jacob Graves
Team captain Jacob Graves brought eight years of experience in the ECHL and AHL when he joined the Stingrays for the 2024-25 season. He played in 51 games, notching three goals, 10 assists, and racking up 118 penalty minutes. - Blake Thompson
An alternate captain, Thompson joined the team last season with five years in the ECHL, two years in the EIHL, and one AHL appearance. He played 68 games, contributing two goals, 29 assists, and 50 penalty minutes. - Andrew Perrott
With professional experience in the ECHL, AHL, and Slovakia2, Perrott played 44 games with the Stingrays last season, registering seven goals, 15 assists, and 98 penalty minutes. He also played 19 games with the AHL’s Hershey Bears, tallying one goal, three assists, and 42 penalty minutes.
Forward
- Jamie Engelbert
Engelbert joined the Stingrays from the Bloomington Bison during his rookie ECHL season. He played two games for the Bison (one assist) and 38 games for South Carolina, scoring 17 goals and 14 assists (31 points). He also had a three-game stint with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose, scoring one goal. Engelbert has since signed an AHL contract with the Rockford IceHogs, but the Stingrays retain his ECHL rights via this qualifying offer.
Looking Ahead
While the ECHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement for the 2025-26 season is being finalized, the Stingrays are actively shaping their roster. With several players already signing with the NHL’s Washington Capitals and AHL’s Hershey Bears — South Carolina’s affiliates — all eyes are on the 2025 Brabham Cup Champion as they prepare for a critical rebound after a disappointing exit from the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Roster decisions made this offseason could set the tone for a resurgence on the ice next year. Only time and the next few deadlines will tell.
ITR 45: Everything Is Happening – Inside The Rink
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