Offensive-minded defenseman joins Swamp Rabbits blue line
BY: Jordan Kuhns, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Greenville Swamp Rabbits have announced that they have signed defenseman Jon Jutzi to a professional contract for the upcoming 2018–19 season.
“I’m excited. I know we have a new coach coming in and I’m looking for a fresh start. People I know that have played here before said great things,” said Jutzi. “I want to improve. In my mind, I don’t think I had the best year last year, so I’m hoping to go and have a fresh start here, get better in all aspects of my game, and help Greenville win some hockey games.”
Jutzi, a veteran of 95 ECHL games, and 6 games at the AHL level adds an offensive element to the blue line. The Tavistock, Ontario native added 14 points in his debut season in Orlando, and 9 more in his follow-up season in Kalamazoo.
“Jutzi is a guy who is looking for an opportunity, and I think he’s a guy who can bring some offense from the blue line. He’s got good skills and a good hockey sense,” said head coach Kevin Kerr. “We want him to be very similar to Sean Flanagan, and you have to let him play his game, and you have to give him some freedom to play that offensive game.”
“He will be a solid two-way defenseman for us.”
Jutzi completed a strong four-year stint at Minnesota State University-Mankato and racked up 44 points in 144 games for the Mavericks. In his senior season, he served as an alternate captain for the team that went 21-13-7, posted a career-high 15 points, and helped lead the team to the WCHA Final Five. Twice, the Mavericks won the WCHA championship with him on the squad, and three times, he captured WCHA All-Academic honors.
The Swamp Rabbits have signed 23 players for the upcoming season. The full list can be found below, or on the offseason player tracker at SwampRabbits.com. The full 2018 Training Camp roster will be unveiled on Thursday, September 20.
Forwards (13): Stanislav Dzakhov, Chris Izmirlian, Jarrid Privitera, Dylan Vander Esch, Stephen Pierog, Austen Brassard, Mike Pelech, Travis Howe, Alex Globke, Timmy Moore, Will Merchant, J.T. Henke, and Johno May.
Defensemen (8): Jon Jutzi, Chad Duchesne, Kyle Chatham, J.C. Brassard, Trevor Owens, Jake Bolton, and Sean Flanagan.
Goaltenders (2): Garrett Bartus and Devin Buffalo.
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