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South Carolina Stingrays

Stingrays Add Forwards Megannety, Askew for 2018-19

July 17, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release


NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. - The South Carolina Stingrays, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Washington Capitals and AHL's Hershey Bears, have agreed to terms with forwards Patrick Megannety and Cameron Askew for the 2018-19 season. Megannety returns to SC for his third professional year, while Askew will make his pro debut after totaling 327 games over five seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

Megannety, 25, played in 35 games for South Carolina during the 2017-18 year, scoring nine points (four goals, five assists). He also added a goal while appearing in all four of the team's first-round postseason contests. During his rookie season in 2016-17, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound attacker made his Stingrays debut with six points (three goals, three assists) in 18 ECHL games.

"Megs is a coach's dream; he does whatever you ask," Stingrays Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Ryan Warsofsky. "He's a great penalty kill guy, blocks shots and can skate well. He dealt with an injury last year and he's been taking care of that all summer. Now he's a guy that we expect to take a leadership role on and off the ice. He plays extremely hard with a little bite in his game and we think he can take that next step."

A native of Oakville, Ont., Megannety played one game with the Allen Americans and eight contests with the Brampton Beast at the end of the 2015-16 regular season. He also suited up for the Pensacola Ice Flyers in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) for 26 games in 2016-17, scoring 15 points (eight goals, seven assists). Before turning pro, Megannety spent four seasons at Clarkson University from 2012-16, playing in 142 games and totaling 57 points (22 goals, 35 assists).

"Ever since I came to South Carolina it's been great there," Megannety said. "I got a really good opportunity my first season and it continued last year. I just try to play 100% every night, be consistent, and do anything that's going to help the team win. From the top down, the organization is all about winning. I remember coming in as a call-up you knew right away that it was a great culture around the rink and in the room, and the guys who have been coming back year after year shows you how great a place it is and how much players enjoy it."

Askew finished the 2017-18 season with the Charlottetown Islanders and scored 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 31 regular season games before adding 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 18 postseason contests during the team's run through the QMJHL playoffs. Before being traded to the Islanders on Jan. 2, Askew began the season with the Shawinigan Cataractes and had 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists) in 32 games.

"Cam is a big kid coming out of the Q who got traded at the deadline and was a nice surprise for Charlottetown," Warsofsky said. "He was a guy they looked for in all situations, power play, penalty kill, who plays on the edge and plays with some emotion. He was highly touted coming out of junior and this is a guy whose pro game could really flourish with the way we play and he has a lot of upside. Hopefully, he can start here, get those eyes on him, and get to the American Hockey League."

Measuring 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds, Askew finished with a total of 218 points on 100 goals and 118 assists during his QMJHL career. The 21-year-old native of Boston, Mass. said he's excited to turn pro after working hard to develop while in the Canadian junior league.

"I worked pretty hard and spent five years in the Q to be a pro hockey player so I'm excited about that and can't wait to get down to South Carolina," Askew said. "I've never really been down south and it's going to be a change going from playing in Canada to South Carolina during the winters, but I'm definitely looking forward to it."

Askew also described his playing style as a versatile attacker who can be counted on in all three zones.

"I think I'm a power forward," Askew said. "I like to make plays and score goals and all that but also be reliable in my own end. I can play center or wing and developed that by playing both during my five years in the Q but I'm a strong two-way player and I like to make the players around me better."

With Megannety and Askew under contract, the Stingrays now have a total of eight forwards and two defensemen signed for 2018-19. More player signings will be announced in the coming days and weeks.

The 26th season of South Carolina Stingrays hockey begins in Jacksonville against the Icemen on October 13. The Stingrays will open their home schedule vs. Greenville on Saturday, October 20.

Season tickets are on sale now! For more information or to purchase, contact the Stingrays by phone at 843-744-2248 or visit 3300 W. Montague Ave. Suite A-200 during business hours.

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