SWAMP RABBITS RE-SIGN JOE PROUTY
SWAMP RABBITS RE-SIGN JOE PROUTY FOR FIRST FULL PROFESSIONAL SEASON
Rookie defenseman earned first three career assists in 10 games out of NCAA Michigan Tech
By: Mark Benetti, 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 re-signed Joe Prouty for his first full professional season.
Prouty joins fellow returners Jake Murray, Jack Brackett, Josh Zary, Neil Shea, Ryan O’Reilly, Jake Percival, Connor Milburn, and Hudson Schandor, and teams up with newcomers Cade McNelly, Blake Bennett, Trevor Janicke, Peter Tischke, Mike O’Leary, and Colton Young.
Prouty comes back to the Swamp Rabbits after turning professional towards the end of the 2025-26 ECHL Season. The 6’1”, 205-pound blue-liner made his professional debut on April 2nd, a 4-0 shutout against Atlanta, and earned his first career point, an assist, two nights later against South Carolina. Prouty finished his first professional stint with three assists and an even rating in 10 games. He turned professional after his final NCAA season at Michigan Tech, serving as alternate captain of the Huskies while smashing career highs with a dozen assists and 14 points in 39 games, leading the team to the CCHA semifinals.
“I know I was only there for four weeks, but I loved my time in Greenville. It’s such an awesome city, with great fans and a first-class organization to be a part of as I start my career. It’s not a hard decision to run it back as a Swamp Rabbit for my first full season,” Prouty said of returning to Greenville. “Talking to friends of mine who have made that college-to-pro transition, I knew the game would be faster and a bit more physical. Thankfully, I had great teammates that helped me acclimate and a great staff, led by Costi, to guide me, so it was a fun experience getting to play at this level following my time at Michigan Tech.
“When I first came to Greenville, I wanted to bring physicality on the back-end and throw some bodies around. As my 10 games progressed, I felt I didn’t just get better, but I got way more comfortable in my role and being that physical presence defensively,” Prouty concluded. “Now that I’ve had a full offseason to prepare, I want to continue where I left off in throwing some hits and playing sound defensively, while also finding opportunities to chip in some goals and points here and there. Our expectations are high, which only intensifies the excitement of coming back for a full 72-game season. I’m very much looking forward to being a Swamp Rabbit and returning to Greenville again this October.”
“Prouts adds youth and a physical intensity to our back-end. I liked what I saw from him turning pro at the end of the season last year, and now that he’s had a full offseason to get even stronger and bigger than he already is, I can’t wait to see what kind of a presence he brings as a full-fledged pro,” Chad Costello, Head Coach/GM of the Swamp Rabbits, said of signing Prouty again. “Joe is a bulldog on the back-end: he doesn’t shy away from contact, will hit anything that moves in his corner, and is sound positionally. I expect even more ferocity from him this season and look forward to watching him grow with us in his first full campaign.”
From Apple Valley, MN, Prouty, 24, played three prior seasons with Lindenwood University, and leaves the NCAA chapter of his career with five goals and 35 points in 129 contests. Before going to college, he played parts of three NAHL seasons with the New Mexico Ice Wolves, logging 34 points in 132 games with 288 PIM.
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.
