TOSTI: TROOCK SIGNS DEAL WITH SWAMP RABBITS
Troock Signs Deal with Swamp Rabbits
Greenville adds 2012 NHL Draft pick with over 100 games of AHL experience to the roster.
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 the addition of forward Branden Troock today. The winger has extensive experience in the AHL with the Texas Stars and Tucson Roadrunners over three pro seasons.
Troock, 23, comes to Greenville after seeing time with three teams in 2016-17. The 6-foot-2 skater began the season with the Texas Stars skating in 10 AHL games and earning four assists. He was then reassigned to the Idaho Steelheads for 15 games, where he netted seven goals and added a pair of assists. Troock was involved in a four player deal between the Stars and Roadrunners on Feb. 1, sending the winger to Arizona. There he played 20 of the final 30 games of the regular season and collected seven points (4G, 3A).
“Adding Branden is exciting for our team. He is an AHL caliber forward that has excelled during brief stints in the ECHL. Branden is a strong skater who can get up the ice quickly and he possesses a hard shot that is valuable in the offensive zone,” said Head Coach Brian Gratz. “In addition to his skill, we’re getting a hard working player who fits into our system here in Greenville.”
Troock hails from Edmonton, Alberta and turned pro on Apr. 15, 2014 when he signed an NHL contract with the Dallas Stars. He joined the team’s AHL roster and made his debut just four days after inking his first pro deal. That same season the Stars captured the 2014 Calder Cup Championship. For the next three seasons, he suited up for Texas with two short trips to Idaho. In total, he has earned 37 points (13G, 24A) in 118 AHL games and 16 points (10G, 6A) in 28 ECHL contests.
“The main thing for me is to use my speed on the ice. The ECHL is a different game than the AHL. Playing in Greenville, I think I’ll have more chances to be on the ice and impact the game,” said Troock. “Greenville was the first team that reached out and wanted to sign me. After talking to Coach Gratz about the team and hearing about the opportunity, I knew it was going to be the best fit for me.”
Before turning pro, Troock was selected by Dallas in the 2012 NHL Draft while skating for the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL. Over the course of four seasons in Seattle, he skated in 144 games, scored 45 goals, and added 56 assists. In his final season, Troock ranked third on the team in scoring with 58 points (24G, 34A) in 58 games. He was also a member of Canada’s 2012 Bronze Medal U18 World Championship team.
Troock is the 14th player signed with the Swamp Rabbits for the upcoming season. Greenville’s roster is now composed of forwards Branden Troock, Bretton Cameron, Nick Betz, Ricky DeRosa, Austin McKay, Evan Jasper, Carter Sandlak, Jack Nevins, Allan McPherson, Joe Basaraba, and Caleb Herbert, as well as defensemen Sean Flanagan, Chad Duchesne, and Joe Houk.
OPENING WEEKEND: 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. Join the pre-game Fan Fest at 5:30 p.m. for the Dew Street Hockey Zone, inflatables, concessions, music, and more!
NEW HOP SHOP INVENTORY: Head to the Hop Shop to check out the Swamp Rabbits new apparel and merchandise! The Hop Shop is open Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena and hours can be found at SwampRabbits.com.
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