Rodzinski returns to Stingrays

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. – The South Carolina Stingrays, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Washington Capitals and the American Hockey League's Hershey Bears, have announced they have agreed to terms for the 2026-27 season with defenseman Romain Rodzinski.

Rodzinski returns to South Carolina after a career year, setting new career highs in goals (9), assists (24) and points (33). He led all Stingrays defensemen in goals and points in the regular season and was second with a +13 rating. In the Kelly Cup Playoffs, he added four points (3g-1a) in 11 games. His three goals were tied for the most among defensemen in the postseason.

Last season, the 24-year-old also made six appearances in the AHL, signing professional tryout contracts with the Syracuse Crunch and Hershey Bears, skating in six games between the two clubs.

Off the ice, the Lausanne, Switzerland native was a pillar in the Lowcountry community. Rodzinski supported more than 20 community initiatives and dedicated over 30 hours to causes ranging from youth programs and children’s hospitals to local fundraising events, earning him the 2025-26 ECHL Community Service Award.

Rodzinski was initially acquired by the Stingrays from the Idaho Steelheads during the 2024-25 season. After joining South Carolina that year, he had 21 points (8g-13a) with a +29 rating in 27 games. Rodzinski broke into professional hockey during the 2023-24 season with Idaho, logging 13 points (3g-10a) in 40 games. In his ECHL career, Rodzinski has 70 points (20g-50a) in 139 career games.