SWAMP RABBITS BRING BACK HUDSON SCHANDOR
HUDSON SCHANDOR RETURNS TO GREENVILLE FOR 2026-27 SEASON
Second-year forward earned 25 points in 54 games
By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and AHL’s Ontario Reign, announced today via a Swamp Rabbit Moving Transaction that the team has signed second-year forward Hudson Schandor for the 2026-27 Season.
Schandor, the 12th player announced this offseason, joins fellow returners Jake Murray, Jack Brackett, Josh Zary, Neil Shea, Ryan O’Reilly, Jake Percival, and Connor Milburn. Alongside them are newcomers Cade McNelly, Blake Bennett, Trevor Janicke, and Peter Tischke.
Schandor returns to Greenville, where he spent the entirety of his rookie season in 2025-26 while on an AHL contract with the team’s affiliate, the Ontario Reign. The 5’10”, 180-pound forward earned 25 points (5g-20ast) in 54 games with a +2 rating before an injury sidelined him late in the season. Among his season highlights, Schandor made his pro debut on October 17th against Utah, notched his first point on October 19th with an assist against South Carolina, earned his first professional goal on December 12th at South Carolina, and racked up a career-high three assists in a 5-1 thrashing at Orlando on January 5th. He finished in the top-10 on the team in scoring, and his points and assists were good for third amongst Swamp Rabbits rookies.
“Greenville is as great a city as you could ask for. The fans are incredible and care about us and the game, our partners are a great support, and the familiarity with Coach Costello was a few key reasons in coming back. However, there was just a sense of brotherhood I truly enjoyed, and given that most of my teammates are coming back, that ultimately led me back here to the Swamp Rabbits,” Schandor said of his return to Greenville. “I went through so many learning experiences last season as a first-year pro. It was tough getting hurt at the end of the year, but that taught me how to be a great teammate off the ice and how to deal with adversity. As the season progressed, I learned to stay with the game and that good things would happen. Having a great attitude when things go south, or you’re riding a high, while you’re playing three-in-three, or on a grueling road trip really helped with the success I felt I attained.
“On the ice, I feel I played well up the middle. I tried to play hard in our own end and be reliable in winning draws. All of what I felt I accomplished was effort based, and I look to bring that next season,” Schandor continued. “Next season I want to pick up where I left off: I felt my offense started to pick up before the injury, I was playing well off the rush, and was contributing in any and all areas. Coming into this year, we have a great idea of what our team will be and what we need to do. We need to stay with our process and expect to be great every day, showing up to the rink with a worker’s mentality and a great attitude. Our expectations will come to fruition if we believe in ourselves and start with the basic principles of attitude and mentality.”
“Schandy was a major target for us to bring back this offseason, and to see he is back in a Swamp Rabbits sweater only means great things for us this October,” Chad Costello, Swamp Rabbits Head Coach/GM, said of Schandor’s signing. “Schandy came out of college highly touted and on an AHL deal, and he proved quickly why scouts feel so highly of his game. His character drove everything he did: he came with the right attitude, an unrelenting work ethic, and a mindset of growth and learning. Losing him to injury last season was tough, both for his health and because he really found an offensive groove and was playing some of his best hockey. This October, I expect Schandy to be ready to finish what he started and be an all-around threat up front and up the middle for us winning draws. October is getting closer, and bringing Schandy back at this point in the process is huge for our team.”
From North Vancouver, British Columbia, Schandor, 25, turned professional after he completed his fifth and final NCAA season with the University of Connecticut in 2024-25, racking up career highs with 31 assists and 41 points in 37 games. Serving as Captain for a second straight season, Schandor led the Huskies to their first-ever NCAA Hockey Tournament, falling in the Regional Finals to Penn State in a 3-2 overtime nailbiter. For his efforts, he was recognized as Hockey East’s Best Defensive Forward, earned a Second All-Star Team nod, and received the Len Ceglarski Award for Sportsmanship, his second time earning the honor, making him one of only four ever to receive the honor more than once. He was also named to the New England All-Star Team and similarly earned New England’s Best Defensive Forward recognition. He finished his NCAA career with 37 goals, 89 assists, and 126 points in 156 games, and preceded his college career with three BCHL seasons with the Surrey Eagles and Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …
Acquired by Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E) in 2020, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team has been providing family-friendly, live entertainment at Bon Secours Wellness Arena since 2010. Formerly the Greenville Road Warriors, the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s LA Kings and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Greenville is a member of the ECHL, Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League.
