Stingrays re-sign Cooper

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 Mark Cooper for the 2020-21 season.Cooper, 28, returns for his second year with the Stingrays after posting 46 points (17g-29a) in 55 games last season. He ranked third on the team in goals and fifth in points.In addition to his time with South Carolina last season, Cooper also earned a call-up opportunity with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers where he added four points (2g-2a).Prior to joining the Stingrays, Cooper spent his 2018-19 campaign with both the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage and ECHL’s Kansas City Mavericks. While appearing in 25 games with the Rampage, Cooper scored seven points (2g-5a). In Kansas City, he racked up 37 points (13g-24a) in 30 regular-season contests before adding eight points (4g-4a) in seven postseason appearances.In 2017-18, Cooper totaled 47 points in 68 games with Kansas City. As a rookie in 2016-17, he scored 42 points (16g-26a) in 54 games with the Rapid City Rush and suited up in 10 games for the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners.Cooper, who has played four professional seasons, has totaled 172 points (69g-103a) in 207 career ECHL games. He has also played in 45 career AHL games with the Checkers, Rampage, Roadrunners and Chicago Wolves, scoring 13 points (4g-9a).Before turning pro, Cooper suited up for 157 games at Bowling Green State University from 2012-16, scoring 91 points (45g-46a).