Stingrays add four to roster

September 25, 2012

North Charleston, S.C. – The South Carolina Stingrays, celebrating 20 seasons of hockey in the Lowcountry and proud ECHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League, announced today that the team has signed defensemen Ryan Turek and Ryan Lowery and agreed to terms with forward Marcello Ranallo and defenseman Art Bidlevskii.

Turek, 25, skated in 42 games with the Utah Grizzlies last season scoring seven goals and 17 assists for 24 points. His rights were acquired by the Stingrays from the Grizzlies on Aug.31, 2012. In addition to Utah, the Southfield, Mich. native saw ECHL action with the Alaska Aces and Victoria Salmon Kings over three and a half seasons totaling 73 points (24g-49a) in 190 contests and was selected to the 2011 ECHL All-Star Classic in Bakersfield. Prior to turning pro, he dressed for three years at Michigan State University adding nine assists in 80 games and was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the fourth round (94th overall) of the 2006 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

Lowery, 24, heads into his second professional campaign after splitting last season between the Stockton Thunder and the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League. The Inverness, Ill. native appeared in 22 games with the Thunder picking up seven points (1g-6a) and 28 contests with the Barons adding seven points (1g-6a). In 2011, he appeared with the Edmonton Oilers in the YoungStars Tournament. Before going pro, Lowery completed a four-year collegiate career at Colorado College totaling seven goals and 39 assists for 46 points in 152 games and served as co-captain his senior season.

Ranallo, 25, attended the University of Connecticut the last four seasons tallying 66 points (19g-47a) in a university all-time high 148 games. From 2004-08, the Burnaby, British Columbia, native dressed with the Chilliwack Chiefs, Langley Hornets and Alberni Valley Bulldogs of the BCHL.

Bidlevskii, 21, moves into his first full professional season after wrapping up a five-year junior career in the WHL with the Regina Pats and Prince George Cougars. With the Pats, the Kelowna, British Columbia, product produced 20 points (3g-17a) in 126 games over the last two seasons. In 2010-11, Bidlevskii appeared in 10 games with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) registering one assist. Bidlevskii competed with the New York Islanders in their 2011 Mini-Camp.