Novak returns to Stingrays

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — The South Carolina Stingrays, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Washington Capitals and American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears, have agreed to terms with forward Max Novak for the 2020-21 season.Novak, 29, returns for his second year in South Carolina after finishing in a tie for the team lead in scoring during the 2019-20 season with 51 points (15g-36a) in 59 games. The Oak Ridge, New Jersey native’s 36 helpers were also tied for the team lead. Novak, who is beginning his sixth professional season, also amassed a +18 rating and 11 power play points (4g-7a) while helping South Carolina to an ECHL-best 0.742 winning percentage.Last year was Novak’s fourth pro season in North America. He previously spent the 2018-19 campaign overseas in Sweden with Tingsryds AIF where he scored 22 points (10g-12a) in 52 games.Novak’s pro career has also included 111 AHL games with the Albany Devils and Toronto Marlies, as well as 125 ECHL contests with the Stingrays and Orlando Solar Bears. He finished second on the Solar Bears in scoring during the 2017-18 year, posting 57 points in 66 games on 21 goals and 36 assists.Before turning pro, Novak played at Union College for four years from 2011-15. The Dutchmen captured their first-ever NCAA National Championship during Novak’s junior season in the spring of 2014 and he was also part of back-to-back ECAC titles during the 2012 & 2013 seasons. Overall, Novak played in 141 NCAA contests and scored 96 points (43g-53a).