A pair of veteran retirements, team personnel changes, and a slew of trades and signings highlight the latest in our weekly ECHL Roundup!
VETERANS CHERNIWCHAN & WINIECKI ANNOUNCE RETIREMENT
A pair of ECHL veterans have announced their retirement from the sport.
Andrew Cherniwchan, captain of the South Carolina Stingrays, and Blake Winiecki of the Kelly Cup-winning Florida Everblades, both announced their retirement from professional hockey this past week.
More on the announcement here.
GRIZZLIES NAME NEW ASSISTANT COACH
The Utah Grizzlies have announced that Christian Horn will be the new assistant coach for the 2023-2024 season, the team shared in a statement last week.
Last season Horn was an assistant coach with the EIHL’s Cardiff Devils, who finished with a record of 29-14-6-5.
More on the announcement here.
STINGRAYS NAME NEW HEAD EQUIPMENT MANAGER
The South Carolina Stingrays, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Washington Capitals and AHL's Hershey Bears, announced on Wednesday that the club has officially named Bradey Williston as the team's new Head Equipment Manager.
Williston, 26, is a native of Saint John, New Brunswick, and joins the Stingrays after spending the past four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He was an Assistant Equipment Manager for his hometown Saint John Sea Dogs for three seasons before serving as the Head Equipment Manager for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in 2022-23. Williston won a Memorial Cup Championship with the Sea Dogs in 2022.
Williston is currently in Washington working the Capitals' 2023 rookie camp. Williston will also work the Capitals’ 2023 training camp before returning to South Carolina in early October.
"I am very excited about this opportunity with the Stingrays," said Williston. "I have always wanted to work in pro hockey and make a career out of it. I have heard nothing but amazing things about the Stingrays organization and the city of Charleston."
Williston graduated from the University Of New Brunswick with a Business Degree in 2021.
SIGNING SEASON
A glut of signings has trickled in from across the league as clubs aim to strengthen their rosters before opening night.
The following players have been signed, re-signed, or traded to the listed club in the past week. *Signing list may be incomplete as of press time
Cincinnati Cyclones
- Malcolm Hayes (D)
Florida Everblades
- Matthew Barnaby (F), Patrick Holway (D)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Brett Kemp (F)
Idaho Steelheads
- Demetrios Koumontzis (D), Nick Canade (D)
Indy Fuel
- Jon Martin (F)
Iowa Heartlanders
- Gavin Hain (F)
Newfoundland Growlers
- Josh Victor (D)
Orlando Solar Bears
- Tyler Bird (F), Tanner Schachle (F)
Rapid City Rush
- Logan Nelly (F)
Reading Royals
- Kyle Olson (F)
South Carolina Stingrays
- Tyler Sandhu (F), Cole Fraser (D)
Toledo Walleye
- Matt Abderson (D), Chase Gresock (F)
Tulsa Oilers
- Ryan Olsen (F)
Utah Grizzlies
- Kyle Betts (F), Jordan Martel (F)
Wheeling Nailers
- David Tendeck (G)
Wichita Thunder
- Chase Spencer (D), Sam King (F), Cam Hausinger (F)