The South Carolina Stingrays have added a major presence on defense, signing 25-year-old blueliner D.J. King for the 2025–26 ECHL season. At 6-foot-3 and 216 pounds, King joins the Rays with a proven blend of size, toughness, and professional experience that spans both the ECHL and AHL.
Early Career and Development
Born in Scottsdale, Arizona, King holds both American and Canadian nationality and built his early reputation with the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP). Between 2016 and 2018, he logged heavy minutes with both the U17 and U18 squads, gaining international experience at the World U17 Hockey Challenge. His development years also included two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, where he skated with the Hamilton Bulldogs and the Saginaw Spirit.
In 2019–20 with Saginaw, King played in 54 games, posting 17 points (5G, 12A) and 78 penalty minutes while finishing with a +18 rating — one of his strongest all-around seasons before turning pro.
Transition to the Pros
King made his professional debut with Fort Wayne in 2021–22 and quickly showed he could hold his own at the ECHL level. That same year, he earned a loan to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins, where he recorded an assist in just two games.
The following seasons saw King establish himself as a physical, stay-at-home defender. With Norfolk in 2022–23, he played 55 games and contributed seven assists, while leading by example with his physical edge. Moving to Indy, he elevated his game further, skating in 87 regular-season games over two years and adding 14 points, while collecting over 100 penalty minutes combined. His work earned him another AHL opportunity in 2024–25 with the Rockford IceHogs, where he appeared in six games.
What He Brings to South Carolina
For the Stingrays, King represents a valuable mix of size, experience, and defensive reliability. His physical style, combined with the ability to play heavy minutes against top opposition, gives the Rays a much-needed presence on the back end. King has logged over 220 professional games across the ECHL and AHL, building a reputation as a defender who can clear the crease, win battles along the boards, and bring an edge to every shift.
Why This Matters
South Carolina continues to build a roster that blends young talent with proven experience, and King checks both boxes. He’s just 25 years old but already has years of pro hockey behind him. For a Stingrays team looking to stay competitive in the always-tough South Division, adding a defenseman with King’s pedigree sends a clear message: opponents can expect a harder, more physical Stingrays blue line in 2025–26.
Fans at the North Charleston Coliseum will get their first chance to see D.J. King in Stingrays colors when the new season begins this fall.
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