Stingrays add Kiser, Busenburg to roster

The South Carolina Stingrays got a whole lot tougher and a whole lot better defensively this week.

The Stingrays signed defensemen Marc Busenburg and Nate Kiser to one-year contracts, the team announced Wednesday.

Along with signing Busenburg and Kiser, the Stingrays also renewed their affiliation with the NHL's Washington Capitals and the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League for the 2007-08 season.

Getting Busenburg and Kiser for the upcoming season solidifies the team's blue line, said Stingrays head coach Jared Bednar.

"Marc and Nate are exactly what you want from veteran players," Bednar said. "They both bring so much to the table. They both have a great work ethic and they're both great leaders in the locker room, and they're great in the comm-unity. They'll make my job that much easier during the season."

Busenburg, 29, played in 35 games for the Stingrays last season, recording five goals and 15 assists for 20 points. He also saw action in 27 games with the Bears, registering three points (3 A).

"Marc is a tremendous two-way player. I think he was the best all-around defenseman in our division last season," Bednar said. "He's very solid defensively and really moves the puck well on the power play. He logs a lot of ice time. There were a lot of teams around the league that were after him, so we're ecstatic to get him back."

In seven seasons as a professional, the former University of Connecticut standout has accumulated 106 points (29 G, 77 A) in 414 career games in the ECHL (Stingrays), AHL (Hershey, Rochester, Springfield), UHL (Adirondack), WCHL (San Diego), and in Sweden (Skelleftea).

Kiser, 25, was among the toughest players in the ECHL a year ago, while also having one of his best offensive campaigns. Kiser led South Carolina with a plus-minus rating of plus-14 and a career-high 222 penalty minutes, which ranked seventh in the ECHL. In 64 games, the Southgate, Mich., native collected five goals and 15 assists for a career-high 20 points.

"He adds a lot of toughness to our blue line," Bednar said. "He's miserable to play against and kills a lot of penalties for us. He does a great job of protecting our skilled guys and does it with a touch of class. I think he has improved every season, and I think he'll continue to improve this season."

In four professional seasons, Kiser has 61 points (12 G, 49 A) and 761 penalty minutes in 257 career games with South Caro-lina and Dayton in the ECHL, and Syracuse, Portland and Albany of the AHL.

Meanwhile, for the third consecutive season the Stingrays will be affiliated with Washington and Hershey.

"We are excited to have extended our affiliation with South Carolina," Capitals vice president and general manager George McPhee said. "Our prospects have had a terrific experience with the Stingrays and we look forward to continue working together."

Last season, the Stingrays received six players who were under contract with Washington, including defenseman Sasha Pokulok, the Capitals' first-round pick in 2005.

"Washington and Hershey sent us some very talented players last season," Bednar said. "The affiliation with Washington and Hershey is as good as any in the ECHL. We look forward to working with them again this season."

South Carolina began its affiliation with Washington prior to the 2004-05 season. Since then, four players — Maxime Daigneault, Jonas Johansson, Daren Machesney, and Joey Tenute — have gone on to dress for the Capitals.

"I'm not sure how many players we'll be getting from Washington this season," Bednar said. "We got six last year and I would expect it to be about the same number this season."

Reach Andrew Miller at apmiller@postandcourier.com or 937-5599.