ECHL: South Carolina Stingrays Win 2025 Brabham Cup

Photo: Julie Taylor

It’s Friday Night, April 11th, in the LowCountry, and the South Carolina Stingrays have officially had a fantastic season. With 69 games played, 50 wins, and 14 losses, garnering them 105 points and being on fire with one regular-season game left to play, breaking the franchise record. The previous record was set in 2017-2018; the prior point record was the 1997 season. When I spoke to Coach Jared Nightingale in November this season, the Stingrays were already on a hot streak. We talked about the potential he saw here and how he wanted this season to go. It was mostly about how much value each player adds to the team and being present. While this momentum saw some intense play, it never faltered. 

We all saw December and how it could have changed everything. The team overcame whatever that was and made it out of the month with an almost even win/loss record, notching that win on New Year’s Eve to make it a positive month and a precursor to what was to come. As Billy Mays said, “But wait, there’s more!” They didn’t stop there. 

Today, April 11, with one more game to go, the Rays have shown their new coach’s work, words, and who they are; we always knew they could be finishing the regular season with a late-season 15-game hot streak, securing those last points, making them the Brabham Cup and South Divison Champions. Historically, this time, but for the second time in franchise history, the South Carolina Stingrays take home the league championship for points. This is monumental as the Stingrays last saw this cup in the 1996-1997 season with 70 games played, 45 wins, 15 losses, and ten ties. This was the first year of the ECHL, and what it resembles today, making it another joyous occasion when the Stingrays also went on to win the Kelly Cup Championship. 

Nightingales are often seen as signs or symbols of resilience and hope, reminding us that, even in the darkest night, we can fight our way out and succeed. The Stingrays and Nightingale meet with the Norfolk Admirals on Friday and Saturday, April 11th and 12th, and finish the season in Greenville with the Swamp Rabbits on the 13th. 

The first round of the Kelly Cup Playoff for the Stingrays starts on April 18th, with the puck dropping at 7:05 pm EST.

ITR 47: Then There Was Nothing Inside The Rink

Join Conrad and Chris as the discuss Gavin McKenna making the jump to the NCAA, Pittsburgh and San Jose making additions, and the NHL season to begin on October 7, 2025.
  1. ITR 47: Then There Was Nothing
  2. ITR 46: Offseason Chaos
  3. ITR 45: Everything Is Happening
  4. ITR 44: We Have A Champion…Again
  5. ITR 43: It's Winning Time

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Stephanie DeLaFleur

Beat Writer covering the ECHL, AHL and NHL. Follow me on X @StephiDelafleur

7 thoughts on “ECHL: South Carolina Stingrays Win 2025 Brabham Cup

Leave a Reply

ECHL: Rookie Defenseman Davis Pennington Re-Signs With K-Wings

The Kalamazoo Wings have re-signed rookie defenseman Davis Pennington for the 2025-26 season. Pennington, 24, made his ECHL Debut at the end of last season, putting up a goal and three assists for four points in seven games. He would pick up a goal in his first career ECHL game, and finished the season with […]

Read More

ECHL: Ian Shane Signs With the Kansas City Mavericks

The Kansas City Mavericks have announced that they’ve signed rookie goaltender Ian Shane for the 2025-26 season. Shane, 24, made his ECHL debut last season, signing an Amateur Try-Out Agreement with the Norfolk Admirals. During his five-game stint with Norfolk, he went 3-0-2 with a 2.54 GAA, .913SV%, and one shutout, which included playing in […]

Read More

ECHL: Savannah Ghost Pirates Sign Seth Fyten and Bryan Yoon

Earlier today, the Savannah Ghost Pirates announced that they will be bringing back forward Seth Fyten and added defenseman Bryan Yoon, both of whom will be on ECHL contracts for the upcoming season. Fyten Returns Seth Fyten returns to Savannah after making his professional debut with them last season. In his time in the ECHL last year, […]

Read More