NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – The South Carolina Stingrays, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Washington Capitals and AHL’s Hershey Bears, announced that the team’s front office has been named finalists for a pair of ECHL Awards for the 2021-22 season.
Nominations include the Community Service Team of the Year and the first ever Inclusive Spirit Award.
"We are very proud to be finalists for both of these awards,” said Kimberly Runey, Director of Partner and Community Development. “It was our goal going into this season to expand on our community efforts and grow our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. We are so grateful for the support from our front office staff, players and coaching staff, our corporate and community partners, and especially our fans."
The Stingrays staff and players volunteered over 575 hours this past season and donated over $106,000, nearly doubling both categories from the year prior. Through donations, community service, appearances, etc., the Stingrays reached over 250 organizations in the Lowcountry community.
The Stingrays organization implemented Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives both on and off the ice through theme nights and fostering relationships with local partners. The team hosted a Pride Night that included a pregame panel of local LGBTQ+ organizations and players taped their sticks using Pride Tape to show solidarity. The Stingrays also hosted their annual Autism Awareness Night, setting up a sensory room at the game and hosting various fundraisers benefitting Autism Speaks and Pattison’s Academy.
Additionally, the Stingrays developed relationships off the ice with many local non-profits on a weekly basis. The two most visited were Be A Mentor, a local non-profit that works with kids from underserved communities and pairing them up with mentors in the community, and Beautiful Gate Center, a learning center for kids with developmental disabilities and autism.
The winners of each award category will be presented at the 2022 ECHL Hockey Summer Meetings in Las Vegas on Wednesday, June 29. The presentation will also be available for streaming on the ECHL Facebook page at 7 p.m. ET on June 29.
The Stingrays will open the 2022-23 campaign on October 22 at the North Charleston Coliseum against the Norfolk Admirals at 6:05 p.m.
Season ticket plans are on sale now! For more information or to purchase, contact the Stingrays by phone at 843-744-2248 or submit this form.
For all the latest news and updates, follow the Stingrays on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers