One of few forwards/defensemen in hockey, Marcus Perrier re-signed with the South Carolina Stingrays, head coach and director of hockey operations Ryan Warsofsky announced today.
“We got to Game 7 of the Kelly Cup Finals my rookie year, and Game 7 of the Conference Finals last year, so it feels like we have unfinished business,” Perrier said. “I’m excited to come back for another shot at the Kelly Cup.”
“He is another big part of our team,” Warsofsky said. “He is a great person, which is first and foremost for us. On the ice, he throws the body and his weight around. He played forward and defense for us last year and brings that toughness element.”
Perrier, 24, returns to the Lowcountry for his third season in the ECHL since leaving Bowling Green University. His 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 58 games tied him for 11th place on the club list last season with team captain Andrew Rowe (28 games played). His 174 penalty minutes were second only to defenseman Bobby Shea at 180; Trevor Gilles finished fifth with 106.
According to hockeyfights.com, Perrier has fought 19 times in his ECHL career, with his last one coming against Luke Curadi in Game 6 against the Adirondack Thunder. This was the third of four fights in the last 70 seconds of the Stingrays 4-1 victory.
Perrier has 40 professional points in his two regular seasons with South Carolina, in addition to his 10 playoff points.
For his of-ice community work, Perrier won the title of the 2016 Jerry Zucker Community Service Award, usurping the title from teammate Patrick Gaul.
Perrier is renowned for his tough play and ability to slot in at defense should the team need him to do so. His one goal in the 2016 playoffs came in Game 4 against the Wheeling Nailers, playing as a defenseman. The goal sparked a comeback, ending in a 4-2 Stingrays win.
