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ECHL South Carolina Stingrays

Scherer and O'Brien Hang up the Skates After Nine Combined Seasons with Stingrays

August 30, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release


North Charleston, S.C. - The South Carolina Stingrays, proud ECHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins, announced today that forwards Matt Scherer and Pierre-Luc O'Brien have retired from professional hockey after nine combined seasons with the Stingrays.

"They both have given us great years of hockey and have been tremendous leaders," said Stingrays President Rob Concannon. "I cannot thank them enough for everything they have done in our community. They will be missed, but like many of our former players, they will be a part of our community and we will see them at alumni games and Stingrays games and we wish them the very best." Click here to watch the full interview.

Scherer played all five seasons of his professional career with the Stingrays. Since joining the team for his rookie season in 2007-08, the Seattle, Washington, native netted 65 goals and 62 assists for 127 points over 308 contests, placing him seventh all-time in team history in regular-season games played. In the playoffs, Scherer totaled 19 points (13 goals, six assists) in 54 games and guided the Stingrays to their third Kelly Cup championship in 2009. On January 7, 2010, he was named the seventh captain in team history and received the Jerry Zucker Community Service award that same season.

"There is sadness in my heart to be moving on and there are few things in my life that have brought me as much pleasure as playing for the Stingrays," Scherer said. "I am thankful to play for as long as I did and I think now is the time to move on." Scherer will write the final entry to his popular blog "Scherer Shots" and discuss his retirement on Stingrays TV next week.

"When you look back at the careers of some of the great Stingrays, Matt Scherer and Pierre-Luc O'Brien will be up there," said Stingrays Head Coach Spencer Carbery. "It is a real honor and privilege to have played and gone to battle with them and coach them." Carbery skated with Scherer from 2008-2010 and with O'Brien during the 2008-09 season. Click here to watch the full interview.

O'Brien ranks eight all-time in Stingrays history with 219 points (70 goals, 149 assists) in 278 games. Along with Scherer, the Nicolet, Quebec, native helped the Stingrays capture an ECHL title in 2009 recording six goals and 13 assists in 23 playoff games including a goal and an assist in Game 7 of the Kelly Cup Finals against the Alaska Aces. In 54 career postseason contests with the Stingrays, the 5-foot-9, 180-pound forward generated eight goals and 22 assists for 30 points. In the American Hockey League, O'Brien dressed with the Portland Pirates (2006-07) and Iowa Chops (2008-09) totaling one assist in seven games. He spent the 2009-10 campaign with the Fischtown Penguins in Germany grabbing 26 points (seven goals, 19 assists) in 50 games.

"It was a very difficult decision," said O'Brien. "I had many talks with my wife and my family and when you have been doing something for over 20 years, it is tough to walk away. It was time for me both emotionally and physically." Click here to watch the full interview.

Celebrate the Stingrays' 20th anniversary with a special Opening Night ticket package! Get four tickets for $20 in select sections for Opening Night on Saturday, October 13 against the Gwinnett Gladiators at 7:05 p.m. at the North Charleston Coliseum! Call the Stingrays office at (843) 744-2248 for more information. Opening Night also includes a free pregame Stingrays alumni game at 2 p.m., Hockey Happy Hour with $2 beer from 5-7 p.m. and SuperFan Cameron Hughes performs all night! Parking is free for all events.

Save up to $280 off of box office prices and receive great benefits like free parking with a 2012-13 Stingrays Ticket Package! Call the Stingrays Office at (843) 744-2248 for more information or visit us online at StingraysHockey.com .

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