9th year left wing Hunter Bishop(61) signed at the beginning of 2018/2019 to play for Belfast Giants after 4 strong campaigns in the EBEL, the last three for HC Innsbruck averaging 20+ goals and 10+ assists, and was doing decently in 34 EIHL games (4-15-19), but as the season wore on was offered a coaching job with the new for 2019/2020 Charleston Colonials of junior hockey USPHL in his adopted hometown in South Carolina and accepted.
Instead of continuing to play pro hockey, the 31-year old decided to opt out of his contract and focus on the future back home.
He initially left for overseas after a first full year in the AHL on extension with Manchester Monarchs and didn’t look back.
The always hard playing forward also has opened the success Hunter Bishop Hockey school to train younger players elevate their game.
Hunter Bishop (11)
Undrafted, 2nd year left wing Hunter Bishop(11) signed with South Carolina Stingrays to begin 2012/2013 after an injury put him on the sidelines for all of the previous season.
It just so happened to be the final year of his 2-year entry level deal with Montreal Canadiens.
He became an unrestricted free agent at the end of the contract.
He put up great numbers: 2 goals and 3 assists in 9 games with minor league affiliate Hamilton Bulldogs, when he joined the team after leaving his college career at Ohio State University on the shelf.
Come Calder Cup Playoff time though, he was unable to duplicate the success scoring only one assist in 12 contests.
The 6′ 196 lbs. forward started his rookie season on the injured reserve list and was reassigned to Wheeling Nailers, when he was ready to return and duplicated his output on an ato in higher league just six months earlier.
He was recalled and stuck in the AHL through the entire campaign but was limited to only 4 goals and 4 assists in 34 games.
The 25-year old struck stats gold again in the ECHL with the Stingrays hitting the back of the net on 24 occasions and offering up 25 helpers in 48 games.
He finished the season as their leading scorer with a +13 rating.
He received a brief pair of call-ups to Lake Erie Monsters and Rochester Americans but was held scoreless.
It wasn’t until a couple of months ago that he found another home in the AHL with Manchester Monarchs.
He has been with the club for 21 games on a pto putting up 3 goals and 2 assists (another 5 point mark).
He meshes well with team chemistry and will likely play out the regular season, or return home to Alaska as his lower league team was bounced from the playoff picture in the first round.
He is likely to be on an AHL roster out of training camp in 2013/2014.
