Swamp Rabbits Ink Blue Liner Sean Flanagan
Greenville comes to an agreement with rookie defenseman after playing four years at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
BY: Brian Tosti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Greenville, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, announced today that defenseman Sean Flanagan has been signed to a standard player contract for the upcoming 2017-18 season. Flanagan becomes the third player signed by the Swamp Rabbits this offseason, joining forwards Nick Betz and Ricky DeRosa.
“Sean brings size and skill to our blue line and has the ability to create offense, joining the rush and activating in the offensive zone. Last year he gained some valuable experience in the ECHL in addition to his college success,” said Head Coach Brian Gratz. “We’re very excited to have signed Sean this season and can’t wait to see him here in Greenville in October.”
Flanagan, 25, skated in four ECHL contests for the Reading Royals after concluding his senior season at Minnesota State University, Mankato. The four-year letter winner amassed 54 points (13G, 41A) in 140 NCAA games. As an alternate captain last year, Flanagan captured WCHA All-Academic and Scholar-Athlete honors for the third consecutive year in addition to playing all 39 games for the Mavericks. He tallied a collegiate career-best 16 points (5G, 11A) as a senior.
“I watched (Coach) Schwab play junior hockey in my hometown of Kindersley when I was growing up,” said Flanagan. “After my college season ended, we spoke and he mentioned there might be an opportunity for me in Greenville for this year. After talking to him and Coach Gratz we decided this would be a great spot for me to go, so I’m really excited and anxious to get there.”
The 6-foot-1, 186-pound defenseman earned a career-best two goals and two assists on Oct. 30, 2015, against Alaska. As a freshman and sophomore, Flanagan helped Minnesota State capture the WCHA Conference Championship. The Kindersley, Saskatchewan native had a flair for the dramatic early in his career, leading all NCCA rookie defensemen with three game-winning goals. Following his freshman season, he was named to the 2013-14 WCHA All-Rookie Team.
Before turning to the NCAA, Flanagan skated two seasons in the British Columbia Hockey League for the Penticton Vees and Salmon Arm Silverbacks. In 115 BCHL games, Flanagan recorded 50 points (14G, 36A) and added five points (1G, 4A) in 15 playoff games to help Penticton to the Fred Page Cup Final. During his first season in Salmon Arm, he was named the Silverbacks Best Defenseman in 2011-12.
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