Joe Basaraba Inks Contract with Swamp Rabbits
Greenville completes acquisition of fourth-year pro.
By: Brian Tosti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Greenville, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, announced today that the team has signed recently acquired forward Joe Basaraba to a contract for the upcoming season. Greenville exchanged the rights to Basaraba with the Idaho Steelheads on Aug. 10.
“Joe is a hard-working, two-way player who can step in and fill a top end role for us down the middle or on the wing,” said Head Coach Brian Gratz. “He’s a real character guy who has proven he can produce at this level and be a leader. We’re excited and ready to get him acclimated to Greenville.”
Basaraba, 25, completed his second season in Idaho during the 2016-17 campaign, ending his tenure in Boise, ID with 78 points (33G, 45A) in 119 games. The forward ranked among Idaho’s top-seven scorers each season. Last season, the 6-foot-3 skater earned career best numbers, tallying 46 points (21G, 25A) and playing in all 72 games. In three professional seasons, the Fort Frances, Ontario native has played 168 ECHL games and tallied 109 points (47G, 62A) between Idaho and Cincinnati.
As a top-five scorer for the Steelheads, Basaraba tallied eight multi-point games last season including a career best four point (2G, 2A) performance against the Utah Grizzlies on Feb. 17. Basaraba donned an alternate captain letter for the Steelheads for a number of games last season as well.
“With the success that the team had last year, the returning players and the additions Coach Gratz has made to the roster this summer, it looks like we will have another strong team in Greenville this season. I’m just excited to get things going in October. It can’t get here soon enough,” said Basaraba.
Basaraba captured the 2011 NCAA Frozen Four Championship at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. The versatile forward completed his four-year tenure with the Bulldogs in 2014 and captained his alma mater as a senior. In 148 NCAA contests, the 6-foot-2 winger recorded 56 points (28G, 28A).
Prior to embarking on his NCAA career, Basaraba attended and played for Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep School. After two seasons with Shattuck St. Mary’s, he was selected in the third round of the 2010 NHL Draft by the Florida Panthers.
Greenville begins the season on Oct. 13, 2017, at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena against the Wheeling Nailers. The puck drops for the Swamp Rabbits’ Opening Weekend at 7 p.m. ET in the first of two contests against the Nailers.
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