ECHL: South Carolina Stingrays Future Considerations Finalized

The South Carolina Stingrays have officially completed the remaining two trades involving future considerations from the 2024-25 season. Throughout the season, the Stingrays were active in the trade market, making notable moves with the Bloomington Bison, Reading Royals, and Idaho Steelheads.

By mid-October, the team sent Jack Adams, Jonny Evans, Jackson Leppard, and Bryce Montgomery to the Bison, followed by Ryan Leibold’s move to the Reading Royals in November. All these trades included the “future considerations” clause, which would be settled later in the season. In return, the Stingrays acquired Romain Rodzinski from the Idaho Steelheads in exchange for future considerations.

The Closing of Future Considerations

The process of fulfilling the “future considerations” clause takes place over the course of the season, with the final deadline set for June 20th. During the regular season, South Carolina made several key acquisitions to complete previous trades. For instance, they received Jamie Engelbert in a 2-for-1 deal and acquired Reilly Webb from the Bloomington Bison to finalize the trade involving Jonny Evans, Jackson Leppard, and Jack Adams. This left two transactions still pending.

Mitch Deelstra Joins the Stingrays

To complete the trade with the Reading Royals, the Stingrays acquired forward Mitch Deelstra. A native of Ontario, Deelstra appeared in 147 NCAA games over five seasons, beginning at Ferris State before transferring to Northern Michigan University and later Robert Morris University. At Robert Morris, he served as team captain, showcasing strong leadership qualities. After wrapping up his collegiate career, Deelstra signed his first professional contract with the Royals in March. He went on to appear in nine games for Reading, recording two goals. With his experience and leadership background, Deelstra is expected to be a valuable addition to the Stingrays’ roster.

Jeremy Davidson Heads to Idaho Steelheads

The second trade completed involved the Idaho Steelheads. South Carolina sent forward Jeremy Davidson’s rights to Idaho in exchange for future considerations. Davidson, a Michigan native, played four seasons at Michigan State University under the guidance of Coach Jared Nightingale’s brother, Adam. Over 130 NCAA games, he amassed 34 goals, 34 assists, and 68 total points. After joining the Stingrays in the 2024–25 preseason, Davidson played 18 games, registering one goal, three assists, and four total points. His solid performance with the Stingrays makes him a promising player for the Steelheads.

Looking Ahead: The Stingrays’ Road to the Season Opener

As the Stingrays prepare for the 2025-26 season, they have seen little player movement overseas or to other teams so far. However, as the season opener on October 18th approaches, the situation may change. The Stingrays are coming off a historic season, having won the Brabham Cup and shattered their franchise point record. Despite this, they faced disappointment with a first-round exit in the Kelly Cup Playoffs and the loss of coach Jared Nightingale, making their off-season moves all the more significant.

With new additions to the roster and a renewed focus on the upcoming season, the Stingrays are well-positioned to build on past success and make a strong push for another competitive year.