Ross never forgets the Lowcountry

Editor's note: This is the sixth in a series of stories that looks at life after sports for former local athletes who made headlines years ago.

Mike Ross nearly didn't make it to South Carolina.

After averaging almost 30 goals a game during his first two pro seasons with the ECHL's Columbus Chill, Ross was traded to the South Carolina Stingrays just a few days before the end of training camp in October of 1995.

Like a lot of young professionals, Ross was initially shocked about the trade and gave some serious consideration to hanging up his skates for good.

"I had 60 points each of my first two seasons with Columbus. I thought I'd had two pretty successful seasons and that I'd proven myself," Ross said. "When I first heard about the trade I was like, 'that's it, I'm done.' I'm going to go out and get a real job."

Instead, Ross called his old college roommate, Jamie O'Brien, who had played for the Stingrays the year before, to ask for a little advice.

"I knew Mike wasn't ready to hang 'em up," said O'Brien, who was roommates with Ross for two years at Brown University. "I got the feeling talking with him that his desire and passion to play was still there and he wasn't ready to have a 9-to-5 job. I thought he'd really love Charleston and I knew they were putting together a good team."

For a couple of days, Ross weighed his options, but finally decided to join the Stingrays.

"One of the best decisions I've ever made," Ross said with a chuckle. "I was going back and forth about what to do, but after I talked with Jamie I knew I still I wanted to play. Jamie played a big part in me coming to South Carolina. I'm glad I listened to him."

The rest, as they say, is history.

Ross played just two seasons for the Stingrays, but left an indelible mark on the franchise.

In 138 games, Ross recorded 171 points, including 83 goals and 98 assists. He still holds the franchise record for most points in a season (110) and his 60 assists during the 1996-97 season is second all-time in Stingrays history.

"Mike was one of the best offensive player the Stingrays have ever had," said former Stingrays great Dave Setiz. "He was a great playmaker, maybe the best the Stingrays have ever had and a great goal scorer. But he was a solid two-way player as well. I don't think he gets enough credit for that. He killed a ton of penalties for us. He was good in both ends of the ice."

During the 1997 season, Ross teamed up with Ed Courtenay and Rob Concannon to form one of the most potent lines in the ECHL. The trio combined for 290 total points, including 128 goals and 162 assists.

"There was no one in the league that was going to stop that line," Seitz said. "Mike and Eddy were so smart and so creative that no one was going to stop them. Robbie was a great energy guy and together they just dominated other teams. It was a lot of fun to watch."

The crowning moment for Ross and the Stingrays came in 1997 when they beat Louisiana in the Kelly Cup finals to capture the franchise's first ECHL championship.

"We were so dominant that season," Ross said. "We had such a great team and the expectations were through the roof. When we finally beat Louisiana in in Game 5 to win it, it was such a fantastic feeling. It was a relief because there was so much pressure to win a championship, but it was such a great feeling of accomplishment as well. A lot guys play this game for a long time never get a chance to win a championship at any level."

Ross can still remember the 10-hour bus ride back from Lafayette, La.

"It was one long party," Ross said. "We had two buses. The team chartered a bus for all wives and girlfriends. Everyone had a blast."

Ross credits former Stingrays head coach Rick Vaive into molding that team's into a functioning unit.

"There were some very strong personalities on that team," Ross said. "Vaive did a great job of keeping everyone focused. There was never a dull moment on or off the ice. It certainly made coming to the rink a lot of fun."

After winning the championship in 1997 and earning league MVP honors, Ross decided he'd have enough and retired.

"It was a dream season," Ross said. "From a team perspective, from an individual standpoint, it was a great way to finish off a career -- on top."

Shortly after he left the game, Ross got a job with Plaskolite, a manufacturing company in Columbus, Ohio, and has been there ever since. He is currently a regional sales manager and has three daughters Taylor (10), Carly (8) Regan (4).

"My family keeps me busy," Ross said.

But there are days when Ross reflects on his time in the Lowcountry.

"I've got so many great memories of Charleston and playing for the Stingrays," Ross said. "We've got a ton of photos in our basement from those days. It was two of the best years of my life."