Novak set for return to North America 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, announced the signing of forward Max Novak to a contract for the 2019-20 season. 

Novak, a native of Oak Ridge, New Jersey, is entering his fifth professional season and most recently played in Sweden for Tingsryds AIF during the 2018-19 campaign where he scored 22 points (10g-12a) in 52 games.

Before his time in Sweden, Novak played three pro years in North America, suiting up for 111 AHL games with the Albany Devils and Toronto Marlies, as well as 66 ECHL contests with the Orlando Solar Bears.Novak finished second on the Solar Bears in scoring during the 2017-18 year, posting 57 points (21g-36a) in 66 games. His assist total ranked first on the team, while his goal total was second. Eight of Novak’s tallies came on the power play and he also added two short-handed strikes while totaling 191 shots on goal. Before beginning his pro career, Novak played four years of collegiate hockey at Union College. The Dutchmen captured their first-ever NCAA National Championship during Novak’s junior season in the spring of 2014 and he was also part of back-to-back ECAC titles during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Overall from 2011-15, Novak played in 141 NCAA contests and scored 96 points (43g-53a). 

He turned pro towards the end of the 2014-15 season by signing with Albany and he remained with the Devils until the end of the 2016-17 campaign. In total, Novak scored 29 points (10g-19a) in 110 games with the Devils during parts of three seasons.