BY: Jordan Kuhn, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Brendan Connolly, who ranks second all-time in scoring in Greenville hockey history, is coming back to the Upstate. The 35-year-old centerman has agreed to a Standard Player Contract with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits for the upcoming 2020–21 season.
Connolly played three seasons for the Greenville Road Warriors (2010–13) and led the team to three Kelly Cup Playoff runs. Across 150 games as a Road Warrior, he scored 166 points, good for a 1.11 point-per-game pace.
“Greenville was a good fit for me. I always loved playing in Greenville, loved the organization, and loved the fans. I knew if I got another opportunity here, I’d take it,” Connolly said, noting that he has made his home in the Upstate since playing in Greenville. “Knowing Andrew Lord‘s track record, how he was able to put together and build an organization like Cardiff into a powerhouse in the Elite League, you see his dedication and his work ethic on display. It’s contagious, and it’s something you want to be a part of.”
On top of being one of the top scorers in franchise history, Connolly ranks third in goals (70), third in assists (96), fourth in penalty minutes (332), and ninth in games played (150).
The Canmore, Alberta native has played 603 games as a professional across eleven full seasons out of Ferris State University. He brings significant championship pedigree between a Kelly Cup championship with the Alaska Aces in 2014, a Danish Cup championship in 2017, and two Challenge Cup championships (2018, 2020).
Connolly is also a proven playoff performer. In 57 pro playoff games, he has scored 17 goals and 27 assists. 18 of those playoff games were as a member of the Road Warriors.
Connolly returns to North America after playing pro hockey in Europe over the past five seasons. The past three seasons have been in the EIHL, with the Belfast Giants, Glasgow Clan, and the Sheffield Steelers, which gave head coach Andrew Lord plenty of firsthand evidence to bring him on board.
“I’ve played and coached against Brendan for years, and he is a player that drives you insane to play or coach against. His compete level is extremely high, and he plays right on the line game in and game out,” said Lord. “This is a great veteran forward signing for our hockey organization. Brendan brings a wealth of experience, a very well-rounded game, and a lot of offensive ability.”
“Brendan will push everyone around him to bring their very best on a nightly basis. He has a great overall skill set and has produced everywhere he has played in addition to his compete level. Brendan is extremely happy to be back in Greenville, where he previously had three great seasons.”
Connolly’s consistent point production, 618 points in 603 games, has given him plenty of personal accolades. He was named to the ECHL All-Star Game and the ECHL Performer of the Year in 2011, was named ECHL Player of the Month twice, and named an EIHL Second Team All-Star in 2020. Connolly posted a 1.107 points-per-game pace as a member of the Road Warriors, and a 1.024 points-per-game pace in his entire pro career.
Never afraid to get in the mix, Connolly has 1,280 career penalty minutes, including a career-high mark of 186 during the 2016–17 season.
Connolly spent four seasons in Big Rapids and put up 81 points in 147 games at the collegiate level at Ferris State. That was preceded by a junior career all spent in Alberta’s province, with 145 points in 180 games, and 562 penalty minutes, at the AJHL level.
#RABBITSRISING#
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!
Get ready for the 2020–21 season by heading to our online store, the Hop Shop! Stay safe with Swamp Rabbits masks, or show your excitement for new head coach Andrew Lord with our special edition Lord #71 t-shirt.
Related
Related posts
Top picks
WOLF PACK PREGAME: ATLANTIC SEMIS VS. BRUINS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins open their second Calder Cup Playoff series in as many years against each other tonight at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. The puck drop is set for 7:05…
WOLF PACK COMPLETE PAIR OF TRANSACTIONS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack Bryce McConnell-Barker Reassigned by Rangers, Maxim Barbashev Released from ATO HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the club has reassigned forward Bryce McConnell-Barker to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack from…
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…
WOLF PACK PREGAME: ATLANTIC SEMIS VS. BRUINS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins open their second Calder Cup Playoff series in as many years against each other tonight at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. The puck drop is set for 7:05…
WOLF PACK COMPLETE PAIR OF TRANSACTIONS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack Bryce McConnell-Barker Reassigned by Rangers, Maxim Barbashev Released from ATO HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the club has reassigned forward Bryce McConnell-Barker to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack from…
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…
ORLANDO ENDS SWAMP RABBITS SEASON
Swamp Rabbits show life late, but Orlando pulls away to win the series BY: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC– Jaydon Dureau’s two-goal night spearheaded a 5-1 Orlando Solar Bears win over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Tuesday to win the South Division Semifinals…
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…
Stay connected with ours socials