Former Everblades forward adds immediate offensive firepower to lineup
BY: Jordan Kuhns, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Greenville Swamp Rabbits’ offense received a major boost. The team has come to an agreement on terms of a Standard Player Contract with the 10-year pro, Nathan Perkovich. The veteran forward has played at the AHL and ECHL levels in North America, as well as the KHL, Russia’s top professional league, and the EBEL, the top professional league in Austria.
Across each of those leagues, the 33-year-old forward has taken part in 440 pro contests, has scored 80 goals and 81 assists. Last season, split between Croatia’s Medveščak Zagreb and the ECHL’s Florida Everblades, Perkovich had a standout season. He posted 22 goals and 12 assists and finished a +14. He showed a penchant for being clutch, having finished second on the ‘Blades with five game-winning goals. On a completely stacked Everblades club, Perkovich ranked sixth in scoring (34 points), fifth in goals (22), second in power play goals (5) and tops in shootout goals (3).
Perkovich was tasked to be a set-up man during Florida’s run to the Eastern Conference Final against Newfoundland. In 14 playoff games, he scored a goal and added seven assists.
Prior to last season, the 6-foot-5, 216 pound Perkovich had spent the last seven seasons with Zagreb—many of those games played at the KHL level. He was named the captain of the club during the 2017–18 season, and kept that role into 2018–19, but left for North America seven games into the season.
While it took some time for Perkovich to acclimate to junior hockey out of Detroit Catholic Central High School, where he won two state titles, the lessons learned under legendary head coach Mark Carlson with the USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders took hold. After the 2003–04 season in Iowa, the New Jersey Devils drafted him in the eighth round, 250th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
After two seasons with the Chicago Steel, his last being the most productive on his club, he moved to the college ranks with Lake Superior State University.
At Lake State, the Croatian-American forward had a storied career. He led the Lakers in goals as a freshman (15) and a sophomore (17). He shared possession of the Soo Blueliners Most Outstanding Freshman award with teammate Simon Gysbers, and his 25 points as a sophomore gave him sole possession of team MVP.
Overall, he scored 44 goals and 27 assists in three seasons at Lake Superior State University.
His first assignment in pro hockey following his junior year at Lake State was to the Lowell Devils. He spent 161 games at the AHL level before making the jump across the pond to play in Croatia.
Perkovich has routinely represented Croatia in the World Championships. His latest time doing so, following the 2016–17 season, he served as an alternate captain of the squad.
The following players are now under contract for the 2019–20 season:
F – Michael Pelech (29)
F – Johno May (25)
F – Travis Howe (25)
F – Kamerin Nault (23)
F – Mason Baptista (29)
F – Roman Ammirato (26)
F – Daniel Perez (25)
F – Nathan Perkovich (33)
D – J.C. Brassard (23)
D – Luke Ripley (25)
D – Adam Larkin (24)
More signings will take place throughout the offseason, so stay tuned to the Swamp Rabbits on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
###
Get Social: Follow the Swamp Rabbits and get behind-the-scenes coverage like never before on the team’s official Facebook and Twitter pages!
Contact a Swamp Rabbits Account Executive at 864.674.PUCK (7825) for information on 2019–20 ticket plans, special group rates, and hospitality opportunities and secure your seats today! Get the latest Swamp Rabbits gear by visiting the “Hop Shop” online at Shop.SwampRabbits.com to browse the full collection of fan wear and novelties!
Related
Related posts
Top picks
ROAD WARRIORS LOST TO RABBITS; SWAMP RABBTS IMPRESSIVE IN DEFEAT
SOLAR BEARS TAKE SERIES LEAD WITH OVERTIME WIN Orlando puts Greenville on the brink despite Colton Young’s 3-point night, Bobby Russell’s pair of goals By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits ORLANDO, Fla. – Despite a high-scoring affair, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits fell to the Orlando…
WOLF PACK TO PLAY BRUINS IN ATLANTIC SEMIS
WOLF PACK TO FACE PROVIDENCE BRUINS IN ATLANTIC DIVISION SEMIFINALS Foes Faceoff For Second Straight Postseason HARTFORD, CT—For the second straight postseason, The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins will face off in the Atlantic Division Semifinals. This series will follow a 2-2-1 setup, with the…
GARAND AND WOLF PACK ELIMINATE CHECKERS IN 3
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack CHARLOTTE, NC – Dylan Garand made a playoff career-high 39 saves on Sunday afternoon to help the Hartford Wolf Pack complete their First Round series victory over the Charlotte Checkers. The Wolf Pack used a five-on-five, powerplay, and shorthanded…
SWAMP RABBITS DROP GAME 1 in OT
Spencer Kersten ends a 72-minute game to steal Game 1 from Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – Spencer Kersten ended a marathon goalie duel to give the Orlando Solar Bears a lead in the South Division Semifinals, 1-0, over the Greenville…
WOLF PACK TO PLAY BRUINS IN ATLANTIC SEMIS
WOLF PACK TO FACE PROVIDENCE BRUINS IN ATLANTIC DIVISION SEMIFINALS Foes Faceoff For Second Straight Postseason HARTFORD, CT—For the second straight postseason, The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins will face off in the Atlantic Division Semifinals. This series will follow a 2-2-1 setup, with the…
GARAND AND WOLF PACK ELIMINATE CHECKERS IN 3
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack CHARLOTTE, NC – Dylan Garand made a playoff career-high 39 saves on Sunday afternoon to help the Hartford Wolf Pack complete their First Round series victory over the Charlotte Checkers. The Wolf Pack used a five-on-five, powerplay, and shorthanded…
CALDER CUP PLAYOFF SCHEDULE RELEASED
By: Jason Chaimovich, American Hockey League SPRINGFIELD, MA – The AHL Playoff Games begin on Tuesday: OPENING SCHEDULES ANNOUNCED FOR 2024 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS The American Hockey League has released the following schedules for the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs opening series, including the best-of-three First…
WOLF PACK DROP SEASON FINALE 4-2 TO BRUINS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack concluded their 2023-24 regular season on Sunday afternoon at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. A third-period tally from the home side proved the difference, as the Bruins took a 4-2 decision….
SWAMP RABBITS ANSWER BACK IN GAME 2
Eberle nets game-winner; three multi-point performers shine in win BY: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—Tanner Eberle broke a deadlock in a wild third period to headline the Greenville Swamp Rabbits’ Game 2 win over the Orlando Solar Bears by a 4-2 score on Monday…
SWAMP RABBITS DROP GAME 1 in OT
Spencer Kersten ends a 72-minute game to steal Game 1 from Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – Spencer Kersten ended a marathon goalie duel to give the Orlando Solar Bears a lead in the South Division Semifinals, 1-0, over the Greenville…
SWAMP RABBITS SCHEDULE FOR SOUTH DIVISION SEMIFINALS
Swamp Rabbits and Solar Bears begin a best-of-seven series this Sunday in Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, announced the full schedule for the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs…
ANDREW LORD NAMED ECHL COACH OF THE YEAR
Fourth-year bench boss becomes first in both franchise and Greenville hockey history to receive recognition By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—The ECHL announced today that Andrew Lord, Head Coach/General Manager of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, a proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los…
Stay connected with ours socials