The Sting signed Ruslan Karimov and Jack Bodin to OHL Scholarship and Development Agreements yesterday.
Sarnia has been as busy as the bumblebees they are named after this week signing not only their third-round OHL Priority Selection pick Beckham Edwards, but also Swedish defenseman Jack Bodin and Russian forward Ruslan Karimov.
The Sting selected Karimov 6th overall in the 2024 CHL Import Draft.
"We are thrilled to announce the commitment from Ruslan to our hockey club," said Sting GM Dylan Seca. "He's a player we believe will have significant impact on our roster for the next three seasons."
The 17-year-old forward adds scoring depth to a Sting team that struggled to score last season. On their way to a ninth place finish in the Western Conference, the Sting did not have a single player who scored more than 60 points.
Last season, Karimov played in the MHL for both Sputnik Almetievsk and Irbis Kazan. In 35 games he recorded 15 goals and nine assists for a total of 24 points. He also thrived at the U-18 level playing for AK Bars Kazan U-18 where he score five points in four games.
While he will have to adjust to the size of North American ice, as well as the style of play, Karimov profiles as a player who will be able to immediately contribute to the Sting's success.
The left-handed Russian will make the transition to North America in his draft year. He is eligible for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
The Sting took Jack Bodin with the 72nd overall pick in the 2024 CHL Import draft.
"Jack is a player we believe will really solidify our D-corps," said Seca. "He's a leader, has a lot of international experience and we believe his game will flourish on the small ice surface in North America."
At 6-foot-3, the 18-year-old, right-hand defenseman plays with a physical edge while focusing on shutting down the opposing team's forwards. As a 2006-born defender, Bodin will bring experience to a group of defenders that featured a large number of rookies last season.
His size will certainly be an asset as he adjusts to the smaller ice surfaces in North America. As a defensive defenseman, Bodin will be a complement to the more offensive style of Sarnia top defender, and St. Louis Blues prospect, Lukas Fischer.
Additionally, the young defender played a total of 16 games for Sweden's U-18 team last season. The international experience is something that the Sting do not have in abundance.
As the buzz around Sarnia continues to grow this off season, fans can be reassured that the team has added a pair of players who are likely to make an immediate impact.