TOSTI: JC BRASSARD LANDS CONTRACT IN GREENVILLE
Rookie defenseman becomes first blue liner signed to the Swamp Rabbits for upcoming season.
BY: Brian Tosti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Greenville, SC –The Greenville Swamp Rabbits announced today the signing of defenseman JC Brassard for the upcoming 2018-19 season. The blue liner skated with the South Carolina Stingrays for 12 games after completing his senior season at Union College last year.
Brassard, 22, assisted the Stingrays in a postseason push, signing his first pro deal with the club on Mar. 16. The defenseman scored a pair of goals and added three assists and additionally logged four more games in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. His first pro goal was part of a two-point night and held up as the game winner against the Orlando Solar Bears on Mar. 25.
“Last year definitely helped me get acquainted to the style and the competition. It will definitely make me more confident for next year,” said Brassard. “Coach Kerr and I have talked about me being a threat on the ice offensively while being responsible defensively. I hope to make the most of my opportunities offensively and doing what I need to do to help the team win.”
“I have heard from many people that Greenville is a great place. It seems that everyone I’ve talked to about the city either know about it or have been to there and they loved it,” he continued. “It terms of hockey, it was a new experience with a new organization that seemed excited to have me on board. Coach Kerr seemed very excited about next year and that attracted me a lot to the team.”
Before turning pro, the Scituate, Massachusetts native played four seasons at Union College. Each year with the Dutchmen, Brassard recorded at least 10 points each year and earned 52 points (8G, 44A) in 135 career NCAA contests. His highest output came as a senior this past year, producing two goals and adding 19 assists on offense. His contributions led all defensemen at his alma mater and included a pair of power play goals.
“JC is going to give us some skill on the back end to round out our defensive core,” said Hear Coach Kevin Kerr. “He can be a strong player on the power play and is an asset in the offensive zone. He’s the type of player who can be a solid positional defender and has the ability to rush the puck up the ice. It’s exciting when you can bring in a player like that to your team so we’re very happy to have him in Greenville.”
Prior to enrolling at Union College, the 5-foot-11 defender attended prep school at the Noble & Greenough School. Brassard captained the team in 2013-14, earning 43 points (11G, 32A) in 27 games and ranked third on the program in scoring. After 82 games and 71 points (17G, 54A), Brassard ranked third in program history among all defensemen.
Brassard is the fifth player to sign with the Swamp Rabbits this month, joining forwards Timmy Moore, Will Merchant, JT Henke and Johno May. As the off season continues, stay tuned to SwampRabbits.com for a full updated list of players to sign for the upcoming season.
