Leppard, Stewart return 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 Jackson Leppard and defenseman Chase Stewart for the 2023-24 season. The Stingrays acquired Leppard in a trade with the Allen Americans in January 2023. He forward registered 19 points (8g-11a) in 37 games with the Stingrays after posting 10 points (3g-7a) in 31 games with Allen.

Before joining the Stingrays, Leppard suited up in 106 games for the Americans over the past two years and tallied 20 goals in his first professional season. Before playing in the ECHL, Leppard spent six seasons in the Western Hockey League and scored 115 points in 252 games.In 2022-23, Stewart posted four assists in 29 games. He has skated in 101 career ECHL games with South Carolina and Fort Wayne, totaling 27 points (7g-20a).