Rising third-year pro inks deal with Swamp Rabbits with over 100 games on ECHL resume.

BY: Brian Tosti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Greenville, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits announced today that defenseman Jake Bolton has signed a contract with the organization for the 2018-19 season. The blueliner is entering his third professional season and brings 124 games of ECHL experience to Greenville’s defense.

Bolton, 26, was a regular for the Quad City Mallards last season, serving as the team’s alternate captain and playing 52 games for the club. From the blue line, Bolton contributed 18 points (5G, 13A) of offense to the Mallards. Additionally, he skated ten games between the Wheeling Nailers and Florida Everblades at the start of the season and earned three points (1G, 2A) in those games.

“I was pumped to sign in Greenville because I had a great talk with Coach Kerr about the culture of our team and what kinds of players we were looking for,” said Bolton. “I’ve been a part of a few different teams and know how this league works, so I wanted to find a team where everyone else has bought into the same idea. We’re going to be a team that is tough and will work hard every day to get better to become a staple in the league.

“It had everything I was looking for in a team. I have loved coming to Greenville on road trips for any reason you can name,” he continued. “The town is gorgeous, and there is so much to do when you’re not at the rink. On the hockey side, it’s a first-class facility to play in, and the fans bring an electric energy to the game that is fun to play in front of. It seemed like the perfect fit for me from every angle.”

The Ellington, Connecticut native has logged 124 games in his career and notched 36 points (9G, 27A) across five ECHL teams. The defenseman is familiar with the South Division after playing games with the Florida Everblades and Atlanta Gladiators. He also saw time with the Wichita Thunder and Wheeling Nailers.

Bolton made his debut on Mar. 18, 2016 at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena while skating for the Atlanta Gladiators. In seven games after completing his senior collegiate season, he scored a goal and added two assists with the ‘Glads.

“Jake brings a level of experience to our blue line this year. When you look at him as a player, he has been through it all,” said Coach Kerr. “We are looking for him to be a big part of a defensive core to shut down the defensive zone and contribute some offense when he can. He’s an exciting signing for us, and we’re happy to have him in Greenville this year.”

Before turning pro, Bolton played four seasons at the College of the Holy Cross. He played in nearly every game for the Crusaders, suiting up for 145 games and earning 54 points (1G, 43A). The 6-foot-2 skater ranked seventh in school history in games played, points, and goals by a defenseman. In his final two seasons, Bolton served as an assistant captain.

Bolton becomes the fourth defenseman on the Swamp Rabbits offseason roster in addition to JC Brassard, Trevor Owens, and Sean Flanagan. Forwards Alex Globke, Timmy Moore, Will Merchant, JT Henke and Johno May have also signed for the upcoming 2018-19 season. As the offseason continues, stay tuned to SwampRabbits.com for a full updated list of players to sign for the upcoming season.

The post TOSTI: JAKE BOLTON ADDS EXPERIENCE TO GREENVILLE DEFENSIVE CORE first appeared on Howlings.

Two forwards, one defenseman, and first goaltender signed on

BY: Michael Keeley, Maine Mariners

PORTLAND, ME – July 13, 2018 – The Maine Mariners took a big step in shaping the roster for their inaugural season, announcing the signings of four players on Friday. Forwards Ryan Ferrill and Tyler Maltby, defenseman Alex Adams, and goaltender Connor LaCouvee have all agreed to deals with the Mariners for the 2018-19 season.

Connor LaCouvee (6’1, 201) comes straight from the college ranks where he led Minnesota State-Mankato to an NCAA Tournament run in between the pipes. LaCouvee posted a 23-6-1 record with a 1.80 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage. The wins and GAA marks landed him in the top five nationally. The 24-year-old LaCouvee hails from Qualicum Beach, British Columbia. He played three seasons at Boston University before transferring to Minnesota State.

“Connor had a great senior year at Mankato, putting up some very impressive numbers,” said Mariners head coach Riley Armstrong. “We are looking for Connor to come in and battle for the net. We will have a competitive training camp with our goalie situation.” 

Ryan Ferrill (6’3, 218) has ECHL experience with the Greenville, suiting up for four games with the Swamp Rabbits in 2017-18. A native of Havertown, PA, he played four years of NCAA DI hockey at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. The 25-year-old forward also played Junior hockey in New England, suiting up for the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs.

“Ryan will bring a good grind and puck possession game to the team,” said Armstrong. “He has some ECHL experience going down to play with Greenville at the end of last season.”

Tyler Maltby (6’2, 213) is a Canadian-born forward from Sherwood Park, Alberta. The 22-year-old spent three very successful seasons with the Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL), racking up 95 goals and 72 assists in 163 career games. In that span, he also accumulated 391 penalty minutes. He split last season playing for the University of Lethbridge and the Stony Plain Eagles ACHW).

“Tyler will be a wild card coming into training camp for us,” said Armstrong. “He put up some big numbers in the AJHL offensively but also did some damage in the penalty minutes department. I’m really excited to see what Tyler will bring come October.”

Alex Adams (6’2, 194) is a 25-year-old defenseman from Orangeville, Ontario who joins the Mariners after making his pro hockey debut with the Knoxville Ice Bears (SPHL) in 2017-18.

“Alex played college hockey in Canada before going to play in the SPHL at the end of college career,” said Armstrong. “Alex will help out on the offensive side of our blue line.”

Adams had ten points (four goals, six assists) in 15 games for Knoxville before finishing the season in Australia with the Adelaide Adrenaline where he put up 17 more points in 14 games. His college career was spent mostly with Wilfrid Laurier University. Adams has been a “Mariner” before, spending a brief time with the Yarmouth Mariners of the MJAHL in the 2013-14 season.

With the additions, the Mariners inaugural roster currently sits at thirteen players (seven forwards, five defensemen, and one goaltender):

F: Alex Kile, Trevor Fleurent, Mike Marnell, Riley Bourbonnais, Brady Vail, Ryan Ferrill, Tyler Maltby
D: John Furgele, Derek Pratt, Matias Cleland, Zach Tolkinen, Alex Adams
G: Connor LaCouvee

The Mariners, proud affiliate of the New York Rangers, will start play in the inaugural season October 13, 2018 as members of the ECHL. The ECHL is the premier AA hockey league in the United States. Season tickets for the Mariners inaugural season are on sale now by visiting www.marinersofmaine.com or call toll free 833-GO-MAINE.

The post KEELEY: MARINERS ADD FOUR TO INAUGURAL ROSTER first appeared on Howlings.