By DONNY NADEAU
Saint Mary's Sports Information Director
 
WINONA, Minn. — For Saint Mary's University's Kyle Meeh (Fenton, Mo.) and Jack Stang (Mendota Heights, Minn.), COVID-19 proved to be nothing more than a speed bump in the road to their professional hockey careers.
 
Meeh and Stang had both signed amateur try-out contracts in late February with the Kansas City Mavericks of the East Coast Hockey League and the Evansville Thunderbolts of the Southern Professional Hockey League, respectively, but they had their seasons cut short when the leagues were shut down.
 
This past week, the Cardinal duo once again had pen in hand, as they both signed 2020-21 pro contracts with Stenungsund HF Stingers of the Division 2 League based out of Stenungsund, Sweden.
 
A two-time All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference First-Team selection — and a near-shoo-in for a third straight all-conference honor when the league announces its post-season awards next week, Meeh played in 22 of the Cardinals' 25 games this season, owning a team-high 13 goals — tops among MIAC defensemen — while sitting fifth in assists (9) and third in points (22). His 13 goals and 22 points were both single-season career highs. Meeh closed out his Cardinal career playing in 99 games, scoring 31 goals and adding 36 assists for 67 points
 
Stang also enjoyed is best year as a Cardinal in 2019-20, playing in all 25 regular-season games, scoring three goals and adding a team-leading 24 assists for 27 points. Stang, whose 24 assists — the most in a season since Anthony Bohn recorded 26 helpers during the 2007-08 season — and 27 points were both single-season career-bests, recorded his first collegiate four-assist game against Augsburg on Jan. 31 and closed out the season recording two or more assists in a game eight times. Stang completed his collegiate career playing in 84 games, compiling 14 goals and 48 assists for 62 points.