BY: Jordan Kuhn, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, led by head coach Andrew Lord, added significant veteran experience in the form of signing 6-foot-3, 205-pound winger Garrett Thompson to a Standard Player Contract for the 2020–21 season. Thompson, 30, has experience in nearly 400 games at the professional level.
Thompson has spent the last two seasons overseas and won a championship in the process. He scored 9 points in 19 playoff games with Frisk Asker in Norway to capture the Norwegian championship. Last season he played for HKM Zvolen in Slovakia’s top hockey league.
“I’ve heard that Greenville is an unreal city. I talked to people I know around the league that has been through there, and based on that, I made the decision to stay in the United States this year,” Thompson said. “I had a lot of interest in Greenville knowing that Andrew Lord was going to be the head coach, and Todd Mackin and Spire came on board. That is a lot of drive for those that want to win and have a winning culture. Ideally, that’s what it came down to.”
Thompson put in the work in the ECHL and the AHL out of Ferris State University. He played for the Binghamton Senators after signing an entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators organization after the conclusion of his collegiate career, followed by the Fort Wayne Komets, San Antonio Rampage, and Iowa Wild over the course of playing in North America starting in the spring of 2014.
“This is a great addition to our organization and an important signing at this time. Garrett can have a huge impact on our team next season both on and off the ice,” Lord said. “He is a big forward who skates well for his size, and who has produced consistently over the years. He is very comfortable playing on either wing and is a very reliable 200-foot player.”
Thompson has terrorized the ECHL ranks historically, with 147 points in 167 regular-season games, and 33 points in 44 playoff games. His last two seasons in the ECHL saw him score over 20 goals.
“I’ve been tracking Garrett for years now back to his Fort Wayne days and it’s great to finally land him,” Lord added. “What stands out more than anything is how great a teammate and person Garrett is, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him on board for next season.”
Overall, the Michigander has scored 248 points in 371 pro games of work. He sits four goals away from hitting the century mark.
Thompson’s pro potential showed throughout his time at Ferris State. As a Bulldog, he scored 87 points 139 games, finished his career a +20, and helped lead the way to their winning the regular-season championship in 2012. He also showed his potential as a nominee for the 2010 USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year with a 50-point season in Traverse City during the 2009–10 season.
#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!
Check out the brand-new “Greenville Strong” and “Our State” t-shirts, with proceeds going to the ECHL’s COVID-19 Relief Fund, or the GGHA, depending on the shirt design. Head to the Hop Shop online today and give ’em a look.
Related
Related posts
Top picks
WOLF PACK SEND BRUINS PACKING WITH OT WIN
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack are headed to the Atlantic Division Finals for the second straight season. A wild bounce saw a puck clip Jake Leschyshyn and beat Brandon Bussi 9:41 into overtime of Game 4 at…
PRE-GAME: WOLF PACK CAN CLOSE OUT BRUINS TONIGHT
PRE-GAME REPORT: WOLF PACK LOOK TO CLOSE OUT SERIES AGAINST BRUINS AT XL CENTER By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack welcome the Providence Bruins to town tonight for Game 4 of their Atlantic Division Semifinals series. Thanks to…
WOLF PACK SUFFER UGLY LOSS TO P-BRUINS IN GAME 2
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack were forced to settle for a split in Providence, as the Bruins roared back to take Game 2 6-0 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion on Friday night. The series, now tied 1-1,…
WOLF PACK TAKE GAME ONE OF SEMIS IN P-TOWN
By: Shay Costa, Howlings PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack’s Anton Blidh scored 1:28 into the third period to give the team a 4-3 road win against his former team, the Providence Bruins, in Game One of the Atlantic Division semifinal in front of…
WOLF PACK SEND BRUINS PACKING WITH OT WIN
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack are headed to the Atlantic Division Finals for the second straight season. A wild bounce saw a puck clip Jake Leschyshyn and beat Brandon Bussi 9:41 into overtime of Game 4 at…
WOLF PACK SUFFER UGLY LOSS TO P-BRUINS IN GAME 2
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack were forced to settle for a split in Providence, as the Bruins roared back to take Game 2 6-0 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion on Friday night. The series, now tied 1-1,…
WOLF PACK TAKE GAME ONE OF SEMIS IN P-TOWN
By: Shay Costa, Howlings PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack’s Anton Blidh scored 1:28 into the third period to give the team a 4-3 road win against his former team, the Providence Bruins, in Game One of the Atlantic Division semifinal in front of…
WOLF PACK GET 3-PT NIGHT FROM PITLICK IN GM 1 WIN
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – Tyler Pitlick picked up three points on Wednesday night as the Hartford Wolf Pack marched into the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence and took Game 1 of their best-of-five Atlantic Division Semifinals series. The Wolf Pack…
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