Swamp Rabbits legend to join Kerr, Thomas as a member of the coaching staff
BY: Jordan Kuhns, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Greenville Swamp Rabbits are proud to announce that former captain, longtime leader, and Greenville hockey legend Bretton Cameron has returned to the team to serve as the skills and development coach for the 2018–19 season. Cameron, who played in Greenville for seven seasons, joins head coach Kevin Kerr and assistant coach Kahlil Thomas as a member of the coaching staff and will look to help lead the team to a Kelly Cup championship.
Cameron’s long career of 401 games at the ECHL level, 314 of them spent in the Upstate, and 23 more of them at the AHL level, was played over eight seasons. That experience will be counted on to add that experience of not only being a professional but also being a professional in Greenville, to the incoming team. In honor of his leadership and his tremendous career in the Upstate, no player will be issued Cameron’s iconic #11 this season.
“I’m excited to come back in a different role and still continue to be in the hockey community in Greenville. I couldn’t see myself just retiring and going cold turkey,” Cameron said. “I want to provide a sense of familiarity to the organization and to the team and direct these guys in the right direction.
“Having such a turnover in terms of coaching staff and players, hopefully, I can help them out as much as I can and provide in any way possible.”
The last five seasons of Cameron’s career were his most productive, but they were also spent as a large part of the leadership group. His last four seasons saw him serve as the captain of the organization, and in that time, notched 43 goals and 55 assists in 180 games. Cameron announced his retirement on August 16, 2018, following the conclusion of the 2017–18 season.
“Bretton is a winner. He competed hard as a professional and gave it all every single night,” said Kerr. “We are building a winning culture here in Greenville, and we feel we are in a better position to win with Bretton on our staff.”
“We are thrilled and honored to have Bretton join our hockey staff and continue his career in pro hockey. Bretton was a leader and a character player on and off the ice here in Greenville,” said Steve Donner, the president and CEO of the Swamp Rabbits organization. “I can’t think of a better person to help shape our hockey culture and work with our players to teach them how to be a successful pro and get to the next level.”
“He will be a big help to our coaches with his familiarity of the league and our division. He will continue to be a big part of our team in the community as he has shown by committing to live here with his family.”
Cameron, a member of the 2007 WHL champion Medicine Hat Tigers, and a productive player who scored 120 points in 179 games with the organization began his professional career with the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL. He was acquired by the Greenville Road Warriors in January of 2012 and fashioned the ever-familiar #11 throughout.
Cameron holds a bevy of organizational records, including the most games played (314), fourth-most goals (68) and assists (97), third-most points (165), and second-most penalty minutes (591).
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