Nate Kiser set career highs in games played, points, and penalty minutes in 2006-07.

North Charleston, SC – The South Carolina Stingrays and Head Coach Jared Bednar announced today the re-signing of veteran defensemen Marc Busenburg and wing Nate Kiser.  In keeping with club policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Busenburg, 29, played 35 games with the Stingrays last season, recording 5 goals and 15 assists for 20 points.  He also saw action in 27 contests for the AHL’s Hershey Bears, registering 3 points (0g, 3a).

“Marc’s got a lot of experience at the American League level,” Bednar said.  “He’s a tremendous two-way player.  He’s very solid and logs a lot of ice time.  We’re ecstatic to get him back.”

In seven seasons as a professional, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound blueliner has accumulated 106 points (29g, 77a) in 414 career games in the ECHL (South Carolina), AHL (Hershey, Rochester, Springfield), UHL (Adirondack), WCHL (San Diego), and Sweden (Skelleftea).

Prior to turning pro, the Worcester, Mass. Native spent four years at the University of Connecticut, tallying 44 points (11g, 33a) in 117 games at the collegiate level.

Kiser, 25, led South Carolina with a +14 plus/minus rating and a career-high 222 penalty minutes, which ranked seventh in the ECHL.  In 64 games, the Southgate, Mich. native collected five goals and 15 assists for a career-high 20 points.

“He adds a lot of toughness to our blueline,” Bednar said of Kiser.  “He’s miserable to play against and kills a lot of penalties for us.  He does a tough job protecting our skilled guys and does it with a touch of class.”

In four seasons as a professional, Kiser has posted 61 points (12g, 49a) and 761 penalty minutes in 257 career games with South Carolina and Dayton in the ECHL, and Syracuse, Portland and Albany of the AHL.

Prior to turning pro, the 6-foot-1, 225-pound defenseman played four years with the OHL’s Plymouth Whalers, amassing 41 points (13g, 28a) and 473 penalty minutes in 137 junior games.  Originally, he was a 5^th round choice (160^th overall) of the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.


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!