TOSTI: SWAMP RABBITS LAND FORWARD CALEB HERBERT
Swamp Rabbits Land Forward Caleb Herbert
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 the addition of forward Caleb Herbert to the roster for the 2017-18 season. Herbert enters his fourth year in pro hockey and has split time between the AHL and ECHL.
Herbert, 25, brings 150 games of experience and 80 points (43G, 27A) to Greenville. The 5-foot-11 forward has skated for the Hershey Bears and Texas Stars in the AHL, while also spending time with their ECHL affiliates, the South Carolina Stingrays, and Idaho Steelheads. Herbert has earned four call-ups to the AHL from the ECHL over the last three seasons.
“Caleb is an AHL caliber player who has dynamic offensive skill. He is very versatile and able to play in many different situations and positively affect the game,” said Head Coach Brian Gratz. “We made a push to bring Caleb to Greenville and believe he is going to help elevate our team toward our ultimate goal of winning a championship.”
Herbert is familiar with the Palmetto State, playing parts of two seasons in North Charleston, SC. As a rookie, he ranked second on the team with 19 goals and helped the Stingrays to the 2015 Kelly Cup Final. The following year, Herbert earned nearly a point per game after joining the club in February. His 10 goals in the 2016 postseason led the Stingrays, who fell in the Eastern Conference Championship to the Wheeling Nailers.
“Deciding where to sign was a tough decision and one that I thought about a lot. After having a number of great conversations with Coach Gratz about Greenville and the opportunity and potential that exists there, I knew it was the right choice for me,” said Herbert.
“There are some high-end talented guys coming into Greenville this year,” he continued. “I felt comfortable with the core group of guys that are joining the team and we should be an exciting group on the ice.”
The Bloomington, MN native was a 5th round draft selection by the Washington Capitals in 2010 and signed a two-year, entry-level contract in 2014. Herbert chose to forgo his senior season at the University of Minnesota-Duluth after earning 89 points (32G, 57A) in 112 NCAA contests. His point production placed him among the Bulldogs top-four skaters all three years he played at UMD. Herbert led his alma mater in scoring during his junior year.
Herbert will reunite with one-time teammate Joe Basaraba. The pair skated together at Minnesota-Duluth for three years and began last season together in Idaho. He also suited up alongside Joe Houk and Allan McPherson with the Stars for one game last season.
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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