Washington Capitals forward prospect Zac Funk was re-assigned to the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays on Tuesday.

Funk, who began the 2024-25 season in the AHL, hasn’t suited up in a game with the Hershey Bears since December 22 and was without a point in his last five appearances.

Funk, playing in his rookie season professionally, was scratched in Hershey’s first seven games of the year before carving out a regular spot in the lineup in November and December. The 21-year-old winger played in 13 games and scored his first AHL goal and registered his first AHL point on November 16 against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Funk registered only one other point, an assist, on November 30 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton before eventually being subbed out of the lineup.

“Every player has to show us as an organization that you are gonna earn a spot on this team,” Todd Nelson said earlier in the season. “We’re the Hershey Bears. You have to earn your spot here. It’s just the way it is. We have to let the chips fall as they may.”

Funk will join fellow Capitals forward prospect Alexander Suzdalev in the ECHL. Suzdalev, who was sent to the Stingrays on October 31, has 18 points (7g, 11a) in his first 19 games with South Carolina.

Funk is in the Capitals organization after leading the entire CHL in goals during his final season in junior hockey. Funk scored 67 goals as he played on the same line with Capitals’ 2024 first-round pick Terik Parascak with the Prince George Cougars.

Funk signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Capitals on March 1.

Here’s the press release from the Hershey Bears:

ZAC FUNK RE-ASSIGNED TO SOUTH CAROLINA

Rookie has three points in 13 games with Hershey

(Hershey, PA–Jan. 7, 2025) – The Washington Capitals, the National Hockey League affiliate of the Hershey Bears, announced today that the club has re-assigned forward Zac Funk to the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays. The announcement was made by Washington senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick.

Funk, 21, has skated in 13 games with Hershey this season, posting three points (1g, 2a). He tallied his first career AHL points on Nov. 16 at Lehigh Valley, scoring a goal and an assist in a 6-3 win.

He recorded 123 points (67g, 56a) in 68 games with the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League (WHL) last season. Funk led the WHL in goals, power-play goals (31), plus/minus (+56) and ranked second in points and fourth in shots (323). He had eight hat tricks while serving as an alternate captain for Prince George, and he was named a finalist for WHL Player of the Year. In the playoffs, Funk posted 18 points (8g, 10a) in 15 games with the Cougars.

Funk was signed by the Capitals on March 1, 2024 to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The South Carolina Gamecocks have landed one of the top available players in the transfer portal. Utah State running back Rahsul Faison, a standout performer this past season, has committed to join the program, according to On3Sports.

Faison, standing at 6-foot and weighing 200 pounds, delivered an impressive 2024 season at Utah State. The dynamic ball carrier totaled 198 rushing attempts, amassing 1,109 yards and eight touchdowns. His consistent production and physical presence made him a highly coveted name in the transfer market.

South Carolina’s addition of Faison is significant as the team continues to bolster its backfield depth. With his ability to break tackles and produce big plays, Faison could become an immediate impact player for the Gamecocks in the SEC.

This move also reflects the Gamecocks’ aggressive approach to the transfer portal under head coach Shane Beamer, who has consistently sought to bring in experienced talent to complement the team’s young roster.

Stay tuned for more updates as South Carolina builds momentum heading into the 2025 season.

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – Governor Henry McMaster announced Thursday that the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) officially has new leadership.

Tony Catone, who previously served as General Counsel at DSS, has been named Acting State Director of the agency until a new permanent director is appointed by McMaster and confirmed by the Senate.

Catone has served as a member of the department’s leadership team for 10 years, according to the Office of the Governor.

“As Acting State Director, our top priority for our agency will be to continue the positive reform trajectory we have forged under Director Michael Leach’s outstanding leadership,” said Catone. “His energy and deep commitment will be sorely missed.”

Catone said he intends to work on “large-scale reform efforts” for South Carolina’s foster care system as well as strengthening the agency’s Adult Protective Services. He also said he wants to continue providing support for households in need of food and improve child care affordability.

Prior to Catone, DSS was led by Michael Leach, who announced his resignation in October. Leach led DSS for over five and a half years, maneuvering the state agency through multiple hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s exhausting, and I want to spend more time present with my family, and so it’s time to go,” Leach said in an interview.

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