Stingrays Alumni Outlast Charleston's Beer-League Elite in 8–6 Charity Classic Thriller
A sold-out Carolina Ice Palace watched South Carolina Stingrays alumni edge a hand-picked squad of Charleston's best beer leaguers 8–6, with Connor Amsley's natural hat trick leading the locals and the CYHA Player Enrichment Fund the real winner.
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The 2026 Stingrays Charity Classic was one for the record books.
On Saturday, August 22, a sold-out crowd gathered at the Carolina Ice Palace to watch a team of South Carolina Stingrays alumni face a hand-picked collection of elite players from Charleston’s adult hockey leagues. The result was everything the local hockey community had hoped for: 14 goals, plenty of competitive fire and an unforgettable afternoon in support of a great cause.
The Alumni Came Back
Fans welcomed back an impressive collection of former Stingrays, including Dave Seitz, Matt Reid, Nate Kiser, Trevor Johnson, Lawton Courtnall, Johan Kroll, Justin Florek, Matt Scherer, Parker Milner, Rob Madore, Jason Fitzsimmons, Rob Concannon, Andrew Rowe, Scott Romfo, Hunter Bishop and Mike Hamilton. Longtime professional and Lowcountry resident Dylan Reese also returned to the ice for the occasion.
There was even more NHL pedigree behind the bench, with Daniel Island’s, and NHL legend, David Krejci, and fellow former NHL standout Erik Cole in attendance and helping guide the action.
The Beer Leaguers Held Their Own
The Stingrays alumni quickly showed that they can still play, with Justin Florek, Lawton Courtnall and Mike Hamilton among those finding the back of the net. But Charleston’s beer-league representatives made sure this was much more than a ceremonial exhibition. The local squad competed with the former professionals from start to finish, producing six goals and keeping the game entertaining until the final horn.
Leading the way for the beer leaguers was Connor Amsley of the Carolina Ice Palace A League. Amsley paced the local team in points and delivered one of the game’s most memorable performances by recording a natural hat trick — three consecutive goals — to keep the beer-league squad within striking distance.
When the final horn sounded, the Stingrays alumni had secured an 8–6 victory. The scoreboard belonged to the former pros, but Charleston’s adult-league representatives more than held their own and demonstrated just how much talent exists within the Lowcountry hockey community.
Bigger Than the Final Score
More importantly, the afternoon was about something much bigger than the final score.
The Charity Classic benefited the Charleston Youth Hockey Association Player Enrichment Fund, supporting the continued development of youth hockey players throughout the Lowcountry. The sold-out game, Stingrays alumni jersey auction and postgame VIP experience brought players, fans, families and generations of Charleston hockey together around that shared purpose.
Events like this capture what makes the Charleston hockey community so special. Former professionals returned to the ice. Local beer-league standouts received an opportunity to compete alongside and against players they once watched from the stands. Fans packed the Carolina Ice Palace. And everyone came together to help create more opportunities for the next generation of Lowcountry hockey players.
What a game. What an affair. What a day for Charleston hockey — and for a very good cause.