BY: Jordan Kuhn, Greenville Swap Rabbits
GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Greenville Swamp Rabbits have signed forward Patrick Polino to a Standard Player Contract for the upcoming 2020–21 season. The 25-year-old will enter his rookie season after completing four years at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Polino is coming off of his best season as a college hockey player with 11 goals, which ranked second-best on the club, and he shot a blistering 15.4% on the season. Throughout 131 games at the NCAA level, he scored 24 goals and 28 assists, good for 52 points.
“Talking with head coach Andrew Lord, he was really excited to start a new chapter and a lot of positive things he wanted to bring to the program and elevate the program to make it a top contender in the league,” Polino said. “That made me excited. The way he wants to play works into my style and it was a great fit for me.”
Out of Buffalo, New York, Polino enjoyed a long and fruitful career in the United States’ top junior league, the USHL. He played four full seasons with a mix of the Chicago Steel, Green Bay Gamblers and Lincoln Stars. He scored 100 points in 208 games at the USHL level after being drafted fourth overall by the Steel in Phase I of the 2011 USHL Draft.
Polino served as an alternate captain in his senior season at RPI, and with the Steel and the Stars in his junior career.
“I had great reports on Patrick both as a teammate and a player. He was an assistant captain this past year for RPI and had a great senior year individually while also helping his team to a very solid finish in the regular season,” Lord said. “Patrick skates well and is very elusive in tight space—two things that will be big keys to his effectiveness at the pro level.”
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SEASON TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!
Support the Swamp Rabbits and get the best price on tickets for the 2020–21 season. Take part in team events and get some sweet benefits, starting at just $450 per seat, or just $12.50 per game.
GEAR UP!
The Hop Shop will be open this Saturday at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Check out all of the best new Swamp Rabbits apparel and be ready for the upcoming season!
