Stingrays Sign Returner DeBlois and Goalie Dekanich
September 10, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release
NORTH CHARLESTON, SC- The South Carolina Stingrays, celebrating 23 seasons in the Lowcountry and proud affiliate of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL), have signed returning forward Derek DeBlois, and veteran goaltender Mark Dekanich to contracts for the 2015-2016 season, Head Coach and General Manager Spencer Carbery announced today.
DeBlois, 24, returns to the Stingrays after a fantastic rookie season in South Carolina. In 2014-2015, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound DeBlois posted 45 points (21 goals, 24 assists) in 59 games. He led the Stingrays in goals and finished third in points. The Narragansett, R.I. native was a key part of South Carolina's run to the 2015 Kelly Cup Finals, registering 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists) in 27 playoff games.
"Derek had an exceptional second half to his rookie season, and I expect him to pick up where he left off," Carbery said. "His all-around game at both ends of the ice was something we were able to consistently rely on every night and we look for that to continue this season."
DeBlois who enjoyed a standout collegiate career at the University of Michigan, also appeared in four games for the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League (AHL) last season, scoring one goal. DeBlois will play with the Washington Capitals in an NHL Rookie Tournament from September 12-15 in Estero, Fla.
Dekanich, 29, brings vast pro experience to the Stingrays including a stint with the NHL's Nashville Predators in 2010. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound goaltender has seven years of pro experience and has appeared in 162 career games in the AHL. He was named to the AHL All-Star Game during the 2010-2011 season, and posted the league's best save percentage with a .931 mark as a member of the Milwaukee Admirals that year. He made his NHL debut on December 18, 2010, stopping 22 shots in a contest against the Los Angeles Kings.
Dekanich has also spent time in the Columbus Blue Jackets and Winnipeg Jets organization before moving overseas for the last two seasons, skating with in Croatia with Medvescak Zagreb of Russia's Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). The Colgate graduate is a native of North Vancouver, British Columbia and is of Croatian ancestry.
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