The South Carolina Stingrays announce they have re-signed Ryan Leibold to an ECHL contract for the 2024-25 season, making him the first player on the Stingrays’ 2024-25 roster. Leibold made his ECHL debut during the 2022-23 season. Playing in just nine games, Leibold notched one goal and three assists for four points in his first professional season. Leibold returned to the Stingrays last year and had an impressive year. The Ashburn, VA native tallied 14 goals and 16 assists for 30 points in 65 games played.
“With the way last season ended, I really wanted to come back and return to the playoffs and the success that the Stingrays are used to having,” Leibold said. “I’m excited about Coach Nightingale and the direction we’re going in, and I’m ready to get to work.”
Via South Carolina’s press release
The 25-year-old was born to be in the Washington Capitals organization as he played his 16U and 18U years with the Washington Little Caps AAA teams in the Atlantic Youth Hockey League and North American Prospects Hockey League. Leibold earned a shot in the North American Hockey League during the 2016-17 season with the Springfield Jr. Blues. That season, he played 60 games, tallying 13 goals and 19 assists. The following season, he moved up to play Tier-1 Junior Hockey in the United States Hockey League with the Sioux City Musketeers. He played 60 games with the Musketeers, tallying seven goals and five assists. After juniors, Leibold committed to the College of the Holy Cross to continue his playing career in college. He played 119 games in four years at the college, notching 19 goals and 39 assists. For his fifth year, he went and played at Merrimack College, where he played 38 games, notching five goals and seven assists.
