1. Home
  2. News
  3. STINGRAYS SIGN BEN HAWERCHUK

STINGRAYS SIGN BEN HAWERCHUK

Tuesday, July 23rd
STINGRAYS SIGN BEN HAWERCHUK

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. - The South Carolina Stingrays, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Washington Capitals and AHL's Hershey Bears, announced today that the club has signed forward Ben Hawerchuk to an ECHL contract for the 2024-25 season. 

Hawerchuk, 26, puts pen to paper with the Stingrays after being acquired in a trade with the Cincinnati Cyclones. Hawerchuk's acquisition completed a November 25, 2023 trade in which the Stingrays sent defenseman Cole Fraser to Cincinnati in exchange for future considerations. 

The King City, Ontario native becomes the third forward to sign with South Carolina for the 2024-25 season, joining Josh Wilkins and Ryan Leibold.

"I like Ben's game. He will bring an element to our team that I think is really important," said Stingrays Head Coach Jared Nightingale. "His numbers are good, but what he brings to the game is so much more than goals and assists. He can score and be a thorn in the other team's side. He can play all different styles and make plays with the puck, but he also has a physical and an emotional side that I think will be valuable in making it difficult on the opponents."

Hawerchuk is entering his sixth season of professional hockey and has 104 games of ECHL experience. Last season, he skated in seven games for the Cyclones and tallied eight points (two goals, six assists). 

From 2021-2023, Hawerchuk was a frequent opponent of the Stingrays as a member of the Jacksonville Icemen. Hawerchuk accumulated 41 points (20 goals, 21 assists) and 156 penalty minutes in 83 regular season games with Jacksonville, and he helped them win playoff rounds in both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. In 18 career ECHL playoff games, Hawerchuk has six points (three goals, three assists) and 23 penalty minutes.

"I'm excited to join the Stingrays," Hawerchuk said. "I've heard great things about the team and the city and had great conversations with Coach Nightingale. I'm looking forward to getting the season started."

Hawerchuk's professional career has also included stints in Sweden, Italy, and the United Kingdom. He has skated in 51 career games overseas, split between Östersunds IK (HockeyEttan), Meran/Merano (AlpsHL), and the Fife Flyers (EIHL).

Hawerchuk's father, Dale Hawerchuk, was a five-time NHL All-Star and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001. Sadly, he passed away in 2020 due to stomach cancer at the age of 57.

"He had a huge influence on me," Ben Hawerchuk said of his father. "He coached me for five years in juniors, and I learned a lot from him. He was one of my best friends. It's tough with him not being here anymore, but he instilled a lot of good lessons in me."

The Stingrays 2024-25 season begins on Saturday, October 19, with the Home Opener against the Savannah Ghost Pirates at 6:05 p.m. The full schedule can be viewed here.

2024-25 Season ticket plans are on sale now! For more information or to purchase, contact the Stingrays by phone at 843-744-7418 or submit this form.

Save money with group tickets! For more information or to purchase, contact the Stingrays by phone at 843-744-7418 or submit this form.

Follow the Stingrays on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram for all the latest news and updates.

Upcoming Home Games

Full Schedule
STEM Night
Friday, March 21st
STEM Night
Puck Drops:
7:05 PM EDT
North Charleston Coliseum
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GVL Greenville Swamp Rabbits
at
South Carolina Stingrays
SC South Carolina Stingrays
North Charleston Coliseum
Parks and Pucks
Sunday, March 23rd
Parks and Pucks
Puck Drops:
3:05 PM EDT
North Charleston Coliseum
Jacksonville Icemen
JAX Jacksonville Icemen
at
South Carolina Stingrays
SC South Carolina Stingrays
North Charleston Coliseum
Fan Appreciation
Saturday, April 5th
Fan Appreciation
Puck Drops:
6:05 PM EDT
North Charleston Coliseum
Orlando Solar Bears
ORL Orlando Solar Bears
at
South Carolina Stingrays
SC South Carolina Stingrays
North Charleston Coliseum

Latest News

More News
STINGRAYS ADD DEFENSEMEN JACKSON VAN DE LEEST AND NOLAN KRENZEN TO ROSTER
STINGRAYS ADD DEFENSEMEN JACKSON VAN DE LEEST AND NOLAN KRENZEN TO ROSTER
Capitals Prospect Ryan Hofer Excelling with Stingrays
Capitals Prospect Ryan Hofer Excelling with Stingrays
STINGRAYS WEEKLY REPORT- MARCH 17
STINGRAYS WEEKLY REPORT- MARCH 17

Get Hockey Updates

Sign up for our email newsletter to be the first to know about news and upcoming games!