ECHL: Nathan Staios Heading Overseas

Savannah Ghost Pirates defenseman Nathan Staios is heading overseas to Sweden to join Vimmerby HC of HockeyAllsvenskan. This is the second time the 23-year-old defenseman has played in Sweden, as he spent nine games with Huddinge IK of HockeyEttan during the 2020-21 season. Staios had four goals and nine assists for 13 points in 35 games this season with the Ghost Pirates. He has not played in a game with the Ghost Pirates since February 1st vs Jacksonville Icemen. Staios is coming off a career year in which he put up nine goals and 19 assists for 28 points in 55 games. He was also named to the ECHL All-Star Team last season.

Prior to going pro, Staios spent four seasons in the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires and Hamilton Bulldogs where he put up 33 goals and 115 assists for 148 points in 237 games. In his final season in the OHL, he had 15 goals and 51 assists for 66 points, which led all OHL defensemen. He would be named the CHL Defenseman of the Year, winning an OHL Championship with the Bulldogs. The Atlanta, Georgia native was in his third year in the ECHL as he’s put up 17 goals and 42 assists for 59 points in 134 career games with the Florida Everblades, Newfoundland Growlers, and Savannah Ghost Pirates. Staios would win a Kelly Cup with the Everblades in 2023. He also played in six games at the AHL with the Utica Comets during the 2020-21 season.