ECHL South Carolina Stingrays

Three Former Stingrays Sign NHL Contracts

Published on July 18, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
South Carolina Stingrays News Release


North Charleston, S.C. - The South Carolina Stingrays, ECHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League, are proud to announce that three former players, Joey Tenute, Mark Ardelan, and Deryk Engelland, have signed National Hockey League contracts for the 2007-08 season.

Tenute, who spent the 2004-05 campaign in South Carolina leading all rookies with 75 points en route to winning the ECHL's Rookie of the Year Award, signed a one-year contract with the Phoenix Coyotes.

The 5-foot-9, 190-pound center finished second on the American Hockey League's Hershey Bears last season with 67 points (28g,39a). He was a member of the Bears' 2005-06 Calder Cup Championship team, collecting 5 points in 19 postseason games.

In 129 career AHL games over the last two seasons with Hershey, Tenute, 24, registered 48 goals and 69 assists for 117 points. The Hamilton, Ont. native made his NHL debut with the Washington Capitals on Feb. 7, 2006, recording one shot in seven-plus minutes of ice time.

Originally, Tenute was the New Jersey Devils' 8th round choice, 261st overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He spent four years in the Ontario Hockey League, two each with the Barrie Colts and Sarnia Sting, recording 95 goals and 176 assists for 271 points in 253 career games.

The Pittsburgh Penguins, parent club of the American Hockey League's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, have signed former Stingrays Mark Ardelan and Deryk Engelland.

Ardelan, 24, began his professional career with South Carolina in 2004-05, finishing with 47 points to lead all Stingrays blueliners in scoring. He was the only player to appear in all 72 regular season games for South Carolina in 04-05.

A 5-foot-11, 200-pound defenseman, Ardelan finished with 38 points (8g,30a) in 79 games for the Iowa Stars last season. He also appeared in 11 playoff contests, collecting five assists and four penalty minutes.

Prior to turning pro, the Regina, Sask. native spent five seasons in the Western Hockey League with Brandon, Vancouver, and Prince Albert, amassing 46 goals and 148 assists for 194 points in 338 career games.

Engelland, a 6-foot-2, 197-pound defenseman registered 10 points (4g,6a) and 95 penalty minutes in 44 games with the Hershey Bears last season. He also played in 14 postseason contests, going pointless with 14 penalty minutes as the Bears advanced to the Calder Cup Finals for the second consecutive year.

The Chetwynd, BC native began the 2005-06 season with South Carolina, collecting 16 points (3g,13a) in 35 games before joining Hershey. He appeared in 37 regular season contests, as well as one playoff game as the Bears captured their ninth Calder Cup Championship.

Originally, Engelland was the New Jersey Devils' 6th round choice, 194th overall, in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to turning pro in 2003-04, he spent four-plus years in the WHL with the Moose Jaw Warriors, scoring 14-34-48 with 520 penalty minutes in 243 career games.

Come join the Stingrays for their 15th Anniversary Season! The 2007-08 season begins on Oct. 20 at 7:05 p.m. as the Rays take on in-state rival Columbia Inferno! Deposits are being taken now for the 2007-08 South Carolina Stingrays season tickets! For just $100 you can reserve your seat to every hard-hitting, action-packed game at the North Charleston Coliseum. For more information including benefits, pricing, and package options, please call the Stingrays front office at 744-2248 or view the information online at www.stingrayshockey.com. Stingrays Hockey - A Whole Lot Cooler!

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ECHL Stories from July 18, 2007


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