The South Carolina Stingrays have announced that they’ve signed defenseman Jordan Klimek for the 2024-25 season. Klimek, 29, returns to North America after spending the past three seasons overseas. He spent the 2021-22 season in Hungary, putting up three goals and 11 assists for 14 points in 34 games with DEAC in Erste Liga. The Langley, BC native has spent the past two seasons playing in the EIHL with the Guildford Flames, where he’s put up 11 goals and 34 assists for 45 points in 132 games. Prior to going overseas, Klimek spent three seasons in the ECHL, where he put up 15 goals and 21 assists for 36 points in 136 games while playing with the Stingrays and Kansas City Mavericks. He would put up one assist while playing in six games during the 2019 Kelly Cup Playoffs with Kansas City. Klimek would play alongside Scott Davidson during the 2019-20 season; Davidson was recently extended as the team’s assistant coach.
Prior to going pro, Klimek would spend parts of two seasons in the BCHL with the Surrey Eagles, where he put up six goals and 19 assists for 25 points in 60 games as the Eagles would win the BCHL Championship in 2013. The following season he would play in the USHL with the Dubuque Fighting Saints, where he put up two goals and 14 assists for 16 points in his final year of junior hockey. The 5’11, 174lb defenseman would play his collegiate hockey at Northern Michigan University, where he put up four goals and 39 assists for 43 points in 157 games.
“I’m so fired up to be back,” said Klimek. “I think we’re going to have a fun, entertaining, physical, and fast team, and I’m looking forward to contributing to that and seeing everybody again. I couldn’t be more excited to get to Charleston and get things going.”
-Klimek on returning to South Carolina (Via South Carolina Stingrays Press Release)
South Carolina has been very active in recruiting players from overseas this season. They’ve signed Blake Thompson, Charlie Combs, Josh Wilkins, Ben Hawerchuk, and now Jordan Klimek, all of whom saw playing time overseas last season. Heading into next season, Klimek should fit in well as a second or third-pairing defenseman for the Rays with some offensive upside. The signing of Klimek brings the Rays 2024-25 roster to 16 players, which includes nine forwards, six defensemen, and one goaltender.
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