3rd year right wing Derek DeBlois(39) returned one month into the new season from a lower body injury suffered in the 2nd round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs and signed with South Carolina Stingrays, the team he’s spent most of his pro hockey time with.
In 12 ECHL games he got off to a speedy start scoring 10 goals and 8 assists with a +8 rating.
The hard-skating forward must be ready to pursue a new avenue as he’s agreed to play out the rest of the current calendar in Germany’s DEL2 for EC Kassel Huskies.
After spending most of 2015/2016 on loan and eventually under contract to Cleveland Monsters skating a career high 35 AHL games scoring 2 goals and 3 assists before being returned for the postseason.
Before getting injured he was able to contribute 3 goals and 6 assists in 10 playoff match-ups.
The 25-year old should continue to excel in scoring as he moves overseas and will likely climb the ladder to tougher levels of play.
Derek Deblois (13)
South Carolina Stingrays‘ undrafted rookie right wing Derek DeBlois(13) lit up the score sheet during the regular season and continues on an even better tear in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
He scored 21 goals and 24 assists with a +17 rating through 59 ECHL games in 2014/2015 and has added another 8 tallies and 10 helpers in only 17 postseason contests with a +11 plus/minus.
The 5’11” 180 lbs. forward had a good run in four years of college hockey at University Of Michigan but maxed out at 20 points during his final two campaigns.
He was also an NCAA/CCHA Regular Season Champ in 2011 and named assistant captain for his senior year.
His game really seems to have been elevated since turning pro.
He was invited to Worcester Sharks‘ training camp and was recalled for 4 AHL games late season scoring 1 goal.
The 24-year old should get another look from a top affiliate of an NHL team as he enters his sophomore season and may just help his current team to a title.