Malatesta joins 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 defenseman Zach Malatesta for the 2020-21 season.Malatesta, 24, is set to begin the fourth season of his professional career after playing with the Atlanta Gladiators for three years from 2017-20. As one of Atlanta’s alternate captains last year, he scored 34 points with (14g-20a) in 60 games. His 14 goals ranked second among all ECHL blueliners.In 168 total games with Atlanta, Malatesta has posted 67 points (20g-47a). During the 2018-19 campaign, Malatesta appeared in all 72 of Atlanta’s regular-season games.Prior to turning pro, Malatesta played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with Moncton and Acadie-Bathurst, totaling 92 points (25g-67a) in 191 career regular-season games.