The St Louis, Missouri native made his professional debut with Wichita Thunder last season and scored five points (3G, 2A) in 17 games, after finishing his college career at Michigan State University earlier that year.
The 25-year-old has spent all his career in America, playing in some of the top junior leagues in the U.S. and in the first division of the NCAA.
Combs is a winner of the top goalscorer award in both the British Colombia Hockey League (52 goals, 2016-2017) and Tier 1 Elite Hockey League 18U Division, (30 goals, 2013-2014).
The 5-foot-6-inch, left winger, was also a United States Hockey League Clark Cup Finalist in 2015-2016 and named to the BCHL First Team All-Star in 2016-2017.
Stars General Manager and Head Coach, Omar Pacha is excited to have Charlie joining the club and speaking about his latest signing, he said: “I watched a lot of tape on Charlie over the last few months and he is a real talent.
“When you are building a team, you always want to have some younger guys and first year pros in there and he adds that for us, but the big thing is that Charlie played through last season and got a bit of experience in the ECHL, which is great.
“He is a guy with skill, he has a great shot too and he reads the play really well and we are bringing him in to fulfil that offensive role for us.
“He also has a bit of chip on his shoulder too and that makes him play with some grit, but the major upside for us is that he is a real natural goalscorer and he can bring a lot to the team.
“He is not just a shooter, Charlie can make plays and he is a really good person off the ice too, so I am really happy to get a guy who has that skill and can buy into our system.”
The Stars Boss then revealed the role his former player, Anthony Beauregard played in bringing Combs to Dundee.
Pacha explained: “Combs was the number one player that Beau mentioned throughout the recruitment process and when I spoke to him, he highly recommended Charlie.
“They played on the same lines in some games at Wichita and if they are linemates with Beau and come recommended from him, then they are usually a fantastic player.”
After signing his contract and securing his first full season of playing pro hockey, a delighted Charlie said: “I have never been to Europe before, but I am really excited to get over to Dundee and start the season.
“I have heard a lot about the league, and I am definitely excited to get going.
“I played with Anthony Beauregard for a bit in Wichita last year, after my college season had ended and he got talking to me.
“We discussed how I wanted to play in Europe, and he told me that Dundee would be one of the best spots and he put in a good word for me.”
Combs continued: “My brother has been overseas for a while and I have been watching his career and it looks awesome.
“It is something I have always wanted to do, and Dundee is one of the places that really intrigued me and from talking to Omar, it sounded like a great opportunity for me to get overseas and start my career and I felt like we clicked really well.
“He called me the day after 4, July and we had a long chat and the conversation was easy and it flowed really well, so that was something that I really liked, as it made me already feel comfortable.
“Then knowing Beauregard played there too and his playstyle is something I like to say I model my own around, so seeing his success in Dundee, I am hoping my game can translate just like his.”
Combs’ former teammate Beauregard, then added: “Charlie is a small player, but he has a huge heart.
“He is one of the best team players I have played with and the fans will love his style.
“He is going to be the guy who you want on the ice for a goal or to be a game-changer.
“He has good skills, good vision, good speed, and like me, he loves the put his nose into the dirty areas.
“I am 100% sure that the fans will love Charlie, like they loved me!”
Charlie’s career started back in 2011 with his hometown club, St Louis AAA Blues and in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League U16 Division, he scored 26 goals and assisted six times for 32 points.
In the 2012-2013 season, the 194lbs forward, who shoots with his left-hand, then moved up to the U18 Division and bagged 31 points (20G, 11A) in 40 matches during his first year, before hitting 53 (30G, 23A) in 34 games of his second campaign.
At age 19, Combs then joined Amarillo Bulls in the North American Hockey League and scored 21 times, while setting up 14 more goals in 56 games.
In the summer of 2015, the Missouri-born winger was drafted by Dubuque Fighting Saints in the 20th round (319th overall) in the USHL Entry Draft.
Charlie then made 11 appearances for Dubuque the following season, scoring five points, but he would soon be traded to Muskegon Lumberjacks.
However, after six matches, Combs then moved to BCHL side, Wenatchee Wild and helped them to make a 10-game playoff run.
Therefore, in the 2015-2016 season, the forward totalled 42 points (24G, 18A) in 55 matches.
In his first full campaign with the Wild, Charlie had his career best season, scoring 89 points (52G, 37A) in 68 matches.
After his successful ending to his junior hockey career, the then 22-year-old committed to Bemidji State University and began playing for Beavers in 2017.
In his rookie season, Combs netted 20 points (13G, 7A) from 37 games, before reaching 22 points (11G, 11A) in 38 games of his second year.
Then the 2019-2020 campaign would turn out to be his last at Bemidji State, as he scored 12 goals and six assists in 33 games, before transferring to Michigan State University last season\.
Across his four years of playing in the NCAA, Charlie accumulated 70 points (42G, 28A) from 131 games and then earned a move to the ECHL for the remainder of the season.
The American joined Wichita Thunder for 17 games and whilst playing alongside Beauregard, he scored three times and created two more goals.
Therefore, in his career so far, Combs has featured in 441 matches, scored 218 goals, assisted 139 times, and has collected 364 penalty minutes.
Charlie is our 17th signing of the summer and joins Drydn Dow, Craig Garrigan, Kris Inglis, Alexandre Ranger, Connor Sills, Craig Moore, Kyle Haas, Brett Orr, Dillon Lawrence, Gabriel Desjardins, Brython Preece, Toms Rutkis, Timi Lahtinen, Spencer Dorowicz, Adam Morrison, and Philippe Sanche on the roster for next season.
You can still get your early bird season tickets to watch these 17 players and the rest of the team in the 2021-2022 campaign by contacting: [email protected]
Combs will wear the #9 Stars jersey next season.
To view Charlie’s career stats on Elite Prospects click HERE.
Banner Image: Michigan State Spartans Athletics.
Featured Image: WCHA.
