BY: Mark Shelley, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, ECHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers, announced today the club has signed defenseman Joe Gatenby to an ECHL contract.
Gatenby, 24, joins the Swamp Rabbits after spending time on an Amateur Tryout with the Ontario Reign, on which he did not appear for the American Hockey League side. Before his ATO, the Kelowna, BC native completed his final season at the University of New Brunswick, where he totaled 10 points (2g, 8a) in 23 games. In 53 career games with his collegiate club, Gatenby amassed 41 points.
Before his collegiate career, the 6’0″, 192-pound blue-liner appeared in six regular season and four postseason games for the Atlanta Gladiators in the ECHL. Over that span, Gatenby posted seven points (2g, 5a) for the Swamp Rabbits’ fellow South Division side.
Gatenby’s junior career saw the newly minted Swamp Rabbit play two seasons for the Kamloops Blazer and three seasons with his hometown Kelowna Rockets, winning a WHL Championship with the Rockets in 2014-2015.
The Swamp Rabbits, who clinched a second consecutive postseason berth on Saturday night in Norfolk, begin their quest for the Kelly Cup on April 22 and 23 at Hertz Arena against the Florida Everblades.
Tickets for all Swamp Rabbits home games can be purchased at SwampRabbits.com or by calling 864.674.7825.
ABOUT US
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 proud affiliates of the NHL’s Florida Panthers and AHL’s Charlotte Checkers. Additionally, Greenville is a member of the ECHL, Premier ‘AA’ Hockey.
