Courtnall inks deal with 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 Lawton Courtnall for the 2021-22 season.Courtnall, 25, spent his rookie professional season with the Wheeling Nailers during the 2020-21 season, scoring 13 points (8g-5a) in 54 games. On July 6, the Stingrays acquired the rights to Courtnall from the Nailers to complete a trade initially made on March 23, 2021.Prior to turning pro, Courtnall had a four-year collegiate career at Western Michigan University from 2016-20 where he appeared in 138 games and totaled 36 points (17g-19a). Courtnall saw action in at least 30 games in all four seasons and has his best campaign as a senior tallying 10 points (5g-5a) while earning a +4 rating.Prior to his time with WMU, Courtnall played three seasons of junior hockey in the United States Hockey League with the Waterloo Black Hawks and Sioux Falls Stampede. While in Sioux Falls, he helped his team claim a Clark Cup championship in 2015. Courtnall had his best junior campaign the following season when he had 31 points (15g-16a) in 58 games.Courtnall’s father, Russ Courtnall, played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings. In addition, his sister, Aly Courtnall, won a National Championship at UCLA in soccer.