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 in six games. Orlando will advance to the South Division Finals of the Kelly Cup Playoffs with the win.

Both teams skated to a scoreless opening 34 minutes until Dureau broke the deadlock at 14:04 of the second period with help from Tyler Bird and Spencer Kersten. While Tanner Eberle sat in the box for a minor boarding penalty, Orlando capitalized on Greenville’s one-man deficit. Kersten carried the puck through the neutral zone before dishing a cross-ice pass to Bird. Bird passed it directly on Dureau’s stick and deflected it past Jacob Ingham for the 1-0 Orlando lead. Five minutes later, the Solar Bears doubled their lead on a play from Dureau and Ben Carroll. Carroll skated into the offensive zone to receive a pass from Jimmy Mazza before flinging a pass across the crease for Dureau to counter Ingham on the left.

Orlando added its third goal just 3:28 into the final frame. Off a faceoff in the Solar Bears’ defensive zone, Darik Angeli dished a cross-zone pass to meet Kersten in the neutral zone. Kersten skated the puck down the remaining length of the ice before cutting into Ingham’s crease, burying a top-shelf shot. Colton Young got the Swamp Rabbits on the board at 15:33, shortly after Greenville pulled Ingham to add an extra attacker. With help from Josh McKechney and Samuel Jardine, Young fluttered a shot past Evan Fitzpatrick. However, Orlando found the back of the empty net twice more before the final buzzer–one from Aaron Luchuk, the other off Bird’s stick–to solidify its 5-1 win.

Jacob Ingham (0-1-3) stopped 18 of 21 shots from the Solar Bears, while Fitzpatrick stoned all but one of the Swamp Rabbits 47 on the night.

The Swamp Rabbits 2023-24 ECHL Season has ended with a defeat. On behalf of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits organization and our ownership with Spire Sports + Entertainment, thank you for making this season memorable! I appreciate your support, and we’ll see you back at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in October!

About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …
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 and the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Greenville is an ECHL Premier ‘AAA’ Hockey League member.

GREENVILLE SWAMP RABBITS

HOWLINGS

The post ORLANDO ENDS SWAMP RABBITS SEASON first appeared on Howlings.

By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

ORLANDO, Fla. – Despite a high-scoring affair, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits fell to the Orlando Bears in the third overtime matchup of the series, 6-5, in Game 5 of the South Division Semifinals on Sunday night. The loss gives the Solar Bears a 3-2 series lead ahead of the teams’ return to Greenville for Game 6 on Tuesday, April 30th.

Orlando kicked off the scoring at 3:31 of the opening period when Spencer Kersten snuck in Alex Frye’s rebound for an early 1-0 lead, scoring the first goal for just the second time this series. However, the Solar Bears’ effort proved to be in vain, as the Swamp Rabbits netted three unanswered goals to take a 3-1 lead before the opening period buzzer sounded. Bobby Russell kicked things off for Greenville, whizzing the puck straight through traffic and past Evan Fitzpatrick to tie the score at 1-1 halfway through the first (Logan Britt and Young assisted). Shortly after Russell tied the game, Brannon McManus netted the go-ahead for Greenville, potting the back door rebound of Nick Prkusic’s net-front attempt. Prkusic received a pass through the neutral zone from Ethan Somoza and skated the puck toward Fitzpatrick’s crease. Fitzpatrick denied Prkusic’s attempt with a kick save, but McManus caught the rebound. Less than a minute later, Young netted a goal of his own to establish a two-goal lead. Fitzpatrick blocked Tyler Inamoto’s wrist shot from the blue line, but Young backhanded the rebound straight through the netminder’s legs to push the Swamp Rabbits to a 3-1 lead entering the middle frame.

The score danced back and forth during the second period. The Solar Bears came out swinging, opening the period with a goal from Tyler Bird to bring the game within one. Jayden Dureau skated the puck through all three zones before dishing a cross-ice pass to Bird in front of the crease. Bird’s shot deflected off the body of a Swamp Rabbit and went in at 3:14 (Marc-Andre Gaudet also assisted). However, it didn’t take long for Greenville to respond. Halfway through the period, Russell ripped a shot clean through traffic for his second of the contest (assisted by Young and Quinn Olson) to reinstate the Swamp Rabbits’ two-goal lead. The two teams traded goals again to close the middle frame; Orlando struck again, courtesy of Luke Boka, who lifted the puck into the net from a side angle (assisted by Jesse Jacques and Kersten) at 14:24. Two minutes later, in a lone effort, Carter Souch carried the puck through the neutral zone and fell to his knees while spinning around a defender. Souch backhanded a shot past Fitzpatrick from his knees for the 5-3 lead entering the third period.

The Solar Bears brought the game within one for the third time to open the final period. Gaudet played the puck off Inamoto’s body while I stride through the neutral zone. The puck was redirected off of the Swamp Rabbit defenseman and onto the stick of Jacques, who quickly ripped it past Jacob Ingham to bring the score to 5-4. The period remained relatively quiet until the 16:52 mark when Aaron Luchuk received a pass from Brayden Low from behind the net and beat Ingham on the left to tie the game at 5 a side (Jimmy Mazza also assisted). Neither team beat the buzzer for the game-winner during the final three minutes of regulation, forcing overtime for the third time in five games so far this series.

Just 1:40 into overtime, Low netted the game-winner for the Solar Bears. Low picked up the loose puck in the slot and poked it past Ingham to secure Orlando’s third overtime win of the series (assisted by Tyler Bird).

Ingham stopped 31 of 37 shots in his third overtime loss of the series (0-0-3). For the win, Evan Fitzpatrick stopped 38 of 43 shots from the Swamp Rabbits.

The Swamp Rabbits continue their quest for the Kelly Cup in Game 6 of the South Division Semifinals on Tuesday, April 30. Puck drop is slated for 7:05 p.m. EST at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …
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 and the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s LA Kings and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Greenville is an ECHL Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League member.

GREENVILLE SWAMP RABBITS

HOWLINGS

The post ROAD WARRIORS LOST TO RABBITS; SWAMP RABBTS IMPRESSIVE IN DEFEAT first appeared on Howlings.

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 night. The win for the Swamp Rabbits splits the series at 1-1 heading into the next three games in Orlando this weekend.

Both teams repeated Game 1 and skated scoreless through 20 minutes of play. Jacob Ingham manned the net again for Greenville and staved away only four shots on the net, while Evan Fitzpatrick turned away 15 in the opening frame.

The deadlock was finally broken by the Swamp Rabbits, who jumped out to a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes. Josh McKechney started off the scoring when he slammed a Colton Young effort in close range of the net past Fitzpatrick to push the Swamp Rabbits ahead 1-0 at 2:28 (Young and Quinn Olson assisted, the latter earning his first professional point). Following the goal, the Swamp Rabbits penalty kill was tested, and a five-minute major was needed to kill off due to an elbowing penalty assessed to Bobby Russell. The Swamp Rabbits thwarted the effort and followed it with a power play goal of their own, the only one in the series thus far. With 8:33 left in the second, Carter Souch, on the team’s second power play, took a Sam Jardine pass on the left side of the zone and rifled a shot over Fitzpatrick’s shoulder to double the Swamp Rabbits lead at 2-0 (Jardine and McKechney assisted).

The Solar Bears stormed out of the gate to start the third, tying the game at two in the blink of an eye during a wild scoring exchange. Brayden Low got Orlando on the board when he deflected a Jimmy Mazza shot past Ingham at 2:09 of the third, slashing the Greenville lead to 2-1 (Mazza and Aaron Luchuk assisted). Exactly 1:36 later, Spencer Kersten maneuvered the puck in close range of the Swamp Rabbits’ net and redirected it off of his body and by Ingham to square the game at 2-2 at 3:45 of the third (Darik Angeli and Alex Frye assisted). Ingham was replaced in net by Luke Richardson for the Swamp Rabbits, who didn’t allow anything behind him for the remainder of the game. The switch kicked the Swamp Rabbits in gear: 51 seconds later, Carter Souch found Tanner Eberle streaking to the back of the net, resulting in a backdoor tap-in for the veteran to put Greenville ahead for good, 3-2 at 4:36 (Souch and Nick Prkusic assisted). Eberle’s tally ended a scoring run of three goals between teams over 2:27 of hockey in the third. Adding insurance for Greenville was Quinn Olson, who batted the puck out of mid-air on a skilled maneuver late in the game past Fitzpatrick to push the Swamp Rabbits ahead at 4-2, bringing the game to its final score (Anthony Beauchamp and Josh McKechney assisted).

In relief, Luke Richardson picked up his first career postseason win, stopping all 11 shots he saw in 16:15 of work (1-0-0). Jacob Ingham started for Greenville and turned aside 10 of 12 in 43:42 game time.

The Swamp Rabbits shift the series to Orlando for Game 3 on Friday night, April 26^th. Puck drop at the Kia Center is slated for 7:00 p.m. EST.

About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …
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 and the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Greenville is an ECHL Premier ‘ AA’ Hockey League.

GREENVILLE SWAMP RABBITS

HOWLINGS

The post SWAMP RABBITS ANSWER BACK IN GAME 2 first appeared on Howlings.

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 by a 1-0 score.

Both goaltenders answered each other’s energy with game-breaking save after game-breaking save. Jacob Ingham, manning the Swamp Rabbits net, stopped all seven shots he saw, while Evan Fitzpatrick, in net for the Solar Bears, returned serve with a dozen saves in the first 20 minutes.

Special teams factored into the second frame, with both teams going 0-for on their respective advantages. The physical element was evident between both combatants, and the goalies again did their jobs. Fitzpatrick turned away 14 shots in period two, while Ingham denied five sent his way.

By the end of the third period, both teams combined for six posts clanked: four for Swamp Rabbits, including a crossbar, and two crossbars for the Solar Bears. Orlando fired a game-high 11 shots to Ingham in the final 20 minutes, which he thwarted. Fitzpatrick matched his counterpart, staving away nine shots.

One goal was all that was needed in this tight affair, and it eventually came from Spencer Kersten. With 7:38 left in the first overtime, Luke Boka worked the puck from behind his back in the right-wing corner to Kersten, who had space in the same side faceoff circle. Kersten fired his shot that squeaked through Ingham and in, ending the game after 72:22 in favor of Orlando. The 1-0 final score coincidentally gives the Solar Bears a 1-0 series lead.

Jacob Ingham turned aside only one shot of 29 and chucked his way in his playoff debut (0-0-1).

The 2024 South Division Champions now look to rebound against the Orlando Solar Bears in Game 2 of the South Division Semifinals. Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is tomorrow, Monday, April 22^nd, and is slated for a 7:05 p.m. EST puck drop at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …
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 and the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s LA Kings and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Greenville is an ECHL Premier’ AA’ Hockey League member.

GREENVILLE SWAMP RABBITS

HOWLINGS

The post SWAMP RABBITS DROP GAME 1 in OT first appeared on Howlings.

By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack concluded their 2023-24 regular season on Sunday afternoon at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. A third-period tally from the home side proved the difference, as the Bruins took a 4-2 decision.

Patrick Brown drove down the right-wing side before threading a pass to the front of the net for Nick Zabaneh. Zabaneh, playing in his first professional hockey game after signing a professional tryout agreement earlier in the day, beat Dylan Garand at 11:11 of the third period. His first career goal proved to be the game-winner.

The Wolf Pack would surrender the game’s first goal for the second straight day. Trevor Kuntar rushed to the net this time, getting inside on a defenseman. Kuntar went to the backhand and stuffed home his tenth season goal at 13:29.

For the second straight game, the Wolf Pack responded quickly. Victor Mancini threaded a pass to Anton Blidh on the left-wing side, who worked his way into the left-wing circle. Blidh then fed Jake Leschyshyn in front, who buried his eighth season goal at 16:14.

1:28 later, Blake Hillman gave the Wolf Pack their first lead of the hockey game. Off a faceoff win, Mac Hollowell fed Hillman at the point. With Riley Nash and Alex Belzile providing screens in front, Hillman fired a shot into traffic that eluded Brandon Bussi to make it a 2-1 game at 17:42.

Nash, who won the faceoff, was awarded the secondary assist.

Georgii Merkulov’s team-leading 29^th goal of the season got the Bruins even 5:41 into the middle stanza. Garand denied Mason Lohrei’s blast from the high slot, but the rebound came right to Merkulov at the top of the crease. The All-Star forward smashed home the rebound, sending the sides to the final frame with a 2-2 score.

Zabaneh’s tally at 11:11 broke the tie for good, restoring the Bruins’ lead. Merkulov then completed the first 30-goal season of his career at 18:38, hitting an empty net to seal the deal.

The Wolf Pack opens the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs this Thursday night! Game 1 of the club’s best-of-three First Round series will occur at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, as the Wolf Pack battle the Charlotte Checkers.

The puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.

For playoff information, please visit hartfordwolfpack.com/tickets/playoff-information.

About OVG360: OVG360, a division of Oak View Group, is a full-service venue management and hospitality company that helps client partners reimagine the sports, live entertainment, and convention industries for the betterment of the venue, employees, artists, athletes, and surrounding communities. With a portfolio of more than 200 client partners spanning arenas, stadiums, convention centers, performing arts centers, cultural institutions, and state fairs around the globe, OVG360 provides a set of services, resources, and expertise designed to elevate every aspect of business that matters to venue operators. Service-oriented and driven by social responsibility, OVG360 helps facilities drive value through excellence and innovation in food services, booking and content development, sustainable operations, public health and safety, and more.

ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since its inception in 1997. The Wolf Pack is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers and plays at the XL Center. The Wolf Pack has been home to some of the Rangers’ newest faces, including Igor Shesterkin, Filip Chytil, and Ryan Lindgren. Follow the Wolf Pack on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

HARTFORD WOLF PACK

HOWLINGS

The post WOLF PACK DROP SEASON FINALE 4-2 TO BRUINS first appeared on Howlings.

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 opening round: the South Division Semifinals against the Orlando Solar Bears.

Home games are listed in BOLD CAPS:

• GAME 1: APRIL 21ST, 3:05 p.m. EST AT BON SECOURS WELLNESS ARENA
• GAME 2: APRIL 22ND, 7:05 p.m. EST AT BON SECOURS WELLNESS ARENA
• Game 3: April 26th, 7:00 p.m. EST at Kia Center
• Game 4: April 27th, 9:00 p.m. EST at Kia Center
• Game 5*: April 28th, 7:00 p.m. EST at Kia Center
• GAME 6*: APRIL 30TH, 7:05 p.m. EST AT BON SECOURS WELLNESS ARENA
• GAME 7*: MAY 1ST, 7:05 p.m. EST AT BON SECOURS WELLNESS ARENA
  *if necessary

Memberships for all games, as necessary, as well as single-game tickets for the Kelly Cup Playoffs, are on sale now! Visit https://swamprabbits.com/2024kellycupplayoffs for membership information.

The Swamp Rabbits, 2024 South Division Champions, now look forward to the beginning of the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs, taking on the Orlando Solar Bears in the South Division Semifinals. Game 1 of the best-of-seven series is Sunday, April 21st, slated for a 3:05 p.m. EST puck drop at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …
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 and the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s LA Kings and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Greenville is an ECHL Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League member.

GREENVILLE SWAMP RABBITS

HOWLINGS

The post SWAMP RABBITS SCHEDULE FOR SOUTH DIVISION SEMIFINALS first appeared on Howlings.

By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

GREENVILLE, SC—The ECHL announced today that Andrew Lord, Head Coach/General Manager of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, a proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, received the John Brophy Award as the ECHL’s Coach of the Year.

Lord, who finished as runner-up for the award in his first season in 2021, becomes the first coach in both franchise and Greenville professional hockey history to receive the league’s honor.

The John Brophy Award is presented annually to the ECHL coach who has contributed the most to his team’s success. The coach is chosen by ECHL coaches, broadcasters, media relations directors, and media members. The trophy is named for John Brophy, who won a record three ECHL titles with Hampton Roads in 1991, 1992, and 1998 and was inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame in 2009.

This season, Lord guided the Swamp Rabbits to a 44-23-4-1 record and 93 points in the standings, claiming the organization’s first South Division Championship in over a decade with a second straight 40-win campaign. Additionally, the Swamp Rabbits earned their 30^th win of the season in just 42 games, the fastest pace ever in Greenville professional hockey history. They won eight straight road games from November 14^th to December 9^th, a new franchise record. By holding the highest win percentage in the Eastern Conference before the Christmas break, Lord was named one of two coaches of the ECHL All-Star Team for the 2024 ECHL All-Star Classic in January.

“I’m extremely honored to receive this award from the ECHL. It’s truly humbling,” said Lord. “A recognition like this is a true testament to the organization that we have here in Greenville. From Assistant Coach Kyle Mountain, Video Coach River Pease, our support staff in Alec Muise and AJ Smith, our players, front office, and ownership, this is a collective effort and a true reflection of our culture and determination to be better both on the ice and in the community. I’m grateful to Jeff Dickerson, our owner, Todd Mackin, Tim Vieira, our President, and everyone who made this season possible. It’s a true honor, and I’m thankful for the ECHL’s recognition.”

Over four years in the Upstate, Lord has compiled a 155-94-30-9 record in 288 games, a 0.606 win percentage. He’s led the Swamp Rabbits to the Kelly Cup Playoffs each season, reaching as far as the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals in his first campaign.

“I couldn’t be prouder of Andrew in receiving this honor from the ECHL. It is very much well deserved,” said Todd Mackin, President of Spire Holdings. “It was apparent during our hiring process four years ago that Andrew had what it takes to transform our team into one of the most competitive in the entire ECHL. He tirelessly works with his staff to build a team that’s worthy of representing our community and competing amongst the best in the league. Back-to-back 40-win seasons, postseason qualification each year, and over a dozen players promoted to the American Hockey League only scratches the surface of where his career trajectory will take him. We are grateful for everything he’s done for our team, both on and off the ice. I look forward to watching him continue this excellence as he pursues our first Kelly Cup Championship as an organization.”

Before joining Greenville before the 2020-21 season, Lord led the Cardiff Devils of the Elite Ice Hockey League to nine separate titles, including three Conference championships, two Challenge Cup championships, two League titles, and two Playoff championships. As the winningest coach in Devils history, he led the team to a 221-75-22 record across his six seasons as head coach. Before entering the coaching ranks, Lord enjoyed a lengthy professional hockey career out of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). He spent ten seasons in the pro ranks, totaling 462 games. His best work as a pro was done in the EIHL, where he scored 173 points in 216 games, all with Cardiff.

“Coach Lord epitomizes what it takes to be the best at his craft. The accountability and urgency he brings to our team make us better as an organization, not only on the ice, but off the ice and in the community,” said Tim Vieira, Swamp Rabbits President. “Working with him is an immense privilege. His leadership of our men on the ice and our support staff has been evident from the very first day we worked together – and this recognition is a culmination of that dedication since day one. From coaching the ECHL All-Stars, to setting team records, and elevating everyone around him, there is no one more deserving of this honor.”

The Swamp Rabbits, 2024 South Division Champions, now look forward to the beginning of the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs, taking on the Orlando Solar Bears in the South Division Semifinals. Game 1 of the best-of-seven series is Sunday, April 21^st, slated for a 3:05 p.m. EST puck drop at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

John Brophy Award Winners (ECHL Coach of the Year)
2023-24 Andrew Lord, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
2022-23 Everett Sheen, Idaho Steelheads
2021-22 Jeff Pyle, Atlanta Gladiators
2020-21 Bruce Ramsay, Wichita Thunder
2019-20 Steve Bergin, South Carolina Stingrays
2018-19 Matt Thomas, Cincinnati Cyclones
2017-18 Brad Ralph, Florida Everblades
2016-17 Dan Watson, Toledo Walleye
2015-16 Richard Matvichuk, Missouri Mavericks
2014-15 Derek Lalonde, Toledo Walleye
2013-14 Spencer Carbery, South Carolina Stingrays
2012-13 Jarrod Skalde, Cincinnati Cyclones
2011-12 Rob Murray, Alaska Aces and John Wroblewski, Gwinnett Gladiators
2010-11 Brent Thompson, Alaska Aces
2009-10 Derek Laxdal, Idaho Steelheads
2008-09 Rick Kowalsky, Trenton Devils
2007-08 Chuck Weber, Cincinnati Cyclones
2006-07 Davis Payne, Alaska Aces
2005-06 Glen Gulutzan, Las Vegas Wranglers
2004-05 Nick Vitucci, Toledo Storm
2003-04 Pat Bingham, Wheeling Nailers
2002-03 Claude Noel, Toledo Storm
2001-02 Dave Farrish, Louisiana Ice Gators
2000-01 Troy Ward, Trenton Titans
1999-00 Bob Ferguson, Florida Everblades
1998-99 Bob Ferguson, Florida Everblades
1997-98 Chris Nilan, Chesapeake IceBreakers
1996-97 Brian McCutcheon, Columbus Chill
1995-96 Roy Sommer, Richmond Renegades
1994-95 Jim Playfair, Dayton Bombers
1993-94 Barry Smith, Knoxville Cherokees
1992-93 Kurt Kleinendorst, Raleigh IceCaps
1991-92 Doug Sauter, Winston-Salem Thunderbirds
1990-91 Don Jackson, Knoxville Cherokees
1989-90 Dave Allison, Virginia Lancers
1988-89 Ron Hansis, Erie Panthers

About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …
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 and the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s LA Kings and the AHL’sLAntario Reign. Greenville is a ECHL, Premier’ AA’ Hockey League member.

GREENVILLEAA’AMP RABBITS

HOWLINGS

The post ANDREW LORD NAMED ECHL COACH OF THE YEAR first appeared on Howlings.

By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

GREENVILLE, SC—The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, announced the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoff Roster with the ECHL. Earlier this evening, the roster was formally introduced to the team’s fans at their official Playoff Kickoff Party at Harley-Davidson of Greenville.

The following players will represent the Upstate in the quest for Patrick Kelly’s Cup:

FORWARDS (12)

• #7 Tanner Eberle
• #9 Brett Kemp (Reserve)
• #16 Ethan Somoza
• #17 Josh McKechney
• #18 Carter Souch
• #19 Colton Young
• #22 Quinn Olson (Reserve)
• #24 Ben Freeman – CAPTAIN
• #27 Anthony Beauchamp
• #39 Brannon McManus
• #51 Zach Tupker
• #77 Nick Prkusic

DEFENSEMEN (9)

• #3 Joe Leahy
• #5 Tyler Inamoto
• #10 Max Martin
• #12 Jake Flynn
• #13 JD Greenway
• #21 Bobby Russell
• #23 Max Coyle
• #29 Logan Britt (Reserve)
• #81 Sam Jardine

GOALTENDERS (2)

• #31 Luke Richardson
• #68 Jacob Ingham

PLAYOFF ELIGIBLE LIST (4)

• #14 Wyatte Wylie (D, currently with AHL Ontario)
• #15 Nikita Pavlychev (F, currently with AHL Ontario)
• #44 Ryan Francis (F, currently with AHL Ontario)
• #45 Ryan Bednard (G, currently with AHL Ontario)

Playoff Rosters consist of a maximum of 24 Players – a 20-man active roster and a four-man reserve list. Upon submission of its Playoff Roster, each Member is required to include:

1. At least 17 active, available (i.e., not injured or on recall) skaters to its Active Roster, and at least two (2) eligible goaltenders to its initial Playoff Roster.
2. A list of all other Players who meet the Playoff Roster Eligibility requirements but who are unavailable at the time that Playoff Rosters are due to the League Office due to recall to the AHL or NHL. The Playoff Eligible List may only list Players who are unavailable due to recall. All other players (i.e., injured Players) must be listed on a Member’s initial Playoff Roster (active roster or reserve list) to participate in the Playoffs.

Throughout the Playoffs, but before the start of the Kelly Cup Finals, as the recalled Players listed on a Member’s Playoff Eligible List become available (due to assignment, release from PTO, or their respective AHL teams’ seasons having ended), Members shall be permitted to supplement their initial Playoff Rosters with Players listed on their Playoff Eligible Lists, up to a maximum of 24 Players total. Once a Member has named a total of 24 Players to its Playoff Roster, or the Kelly Cup Finals have begun (whichever comes first), the Member’s Playoff Roster shall be fixed for the duration of the Playoffs (barring emergency conditions).

A Player who has finished the Regular Season on Injured Reserve may still be named to a Member’s 24-man Playoff Roster and will be eligible to participate in the Playoffs once his full IR time has been completed (provided all other playoff eligibility requirements have been satisfied). Once a Player has completed his remaining IR time, he will be activated and placed on the Member’s Active Roster.

Emergency conditions shall be established when the Member’s playing strength is reduced below two (2) goalkeepers and sixteen (16) skaters because of injury, illness, recall, or suspension by the League. However, should a Member release a Player(s) from its Playoff Roster, its emergency conditions will drop by the same number as the Players they release. Only amateur Players may be signed and added to the Active Roster under emergency conditions.

The Swamp Rabbits, 2024 South Division Champions, now look forward to the beginning of the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs, taking on the Orlando Solar Bears in the South Division Semifinals. Game 1 of the best-of-seven series is Sunday, April 21^st, slated for a 3:05 p.m. EST puck drop at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …
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 and the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s LLAKings and L.A.eL.A.HL’s Ontario Reign. Greenville is an ECHL Premier AAA Hockey League member.

GA.AA.A.’VILLE SWAMP RABBITS

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The post SWAMP RABBITS ANNOUNCE 2024 KELLY CUP PLAYOFF ROSTER first appeared on Howlings.

By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, 2024 South Division Champions, announced today that the organization is proud to continue its affiliation with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and AHL’s Ontario Reign.

The affiliation, which began as a working partnership in 2021-22 and became an official affiliation at the start of the 2022-23 ECHL Season, will perpetuate for another two seasons into the 2025-26 campaign.

“We couldn’t be more excited to continue what’s worked so well. We’re grateful for the Los Angeles Kings for extending this partnership we have,” Swamp Rabbits Head Coach/General Manager Andrew Lord stated. “Since we began our relationship, the communication from top down on hockey, players, and organizational success has been second to none, which is key in today’s game in both winning and properly growing talent. This affiliation has helped staff develop and advance to the next level of their careers and has provided players an opportunity to challenge themselves as professionals in pursuit of their goals on the ice. I’d like to thank Rob Blake, Nelson Emerson, Rich Seeley, and the Kings and Reign organizations for their professionalism and commitment to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits and continued excellence in our game.”

Since becoming affiliates in 2022-23, the Swamp Rabbits have helped propel over a dozen players from Greenville to the team’s AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign. Among those players, two were named ECHL All-Stars, including goaltender Ryan Bednard this past season. Swamp Rabbits goaltender Jacob Ingham also earned an NHL contract this year, the second of his career, signing the deal this past March. In the last two seasons, the Swamp Rabbits, Reign, and Kings have all qualified for their respective league’s playoffs, one of only four NHL affiliation systems capable of claiming that success.

“The LA Kings are excited to announce the extension of our affiliation with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL for the next two seasons,” said Kings Director of Player Development Glen Murray. We are very proud of the work Head Coach and General Manager Andrew Lord and his staff have done with our prospects this past season. We look forward to seeing the development continue for years to come.”

The Swamp Rabbits now look forward to the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs, where they will face the Orlando Solar Bears in the opening round, the South Division Semifinals. Game 1 of the best-of-seven series will begin on April 21^st at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, slated for a 3:05 p.m. EST puck drop.

About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …
Acquired by Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E) in 2020, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team has provided family-friendly, live entertainment at Bon Secours Wellness Arena since 2010. Formerly, the Greenville Road Warriors and the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s L.A. Kings and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Greenville is an ECHL Premier’ A.A.’ Hockey League member.

GREENVILLE SWAMP RABBITS

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Rookie forward recently made professional debut with AHL Ontario on an ATO

By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, announced via a Swamp Rabbit Moving Transaction that Quinn Olson was signed before the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs.

Olson joins the Swamp Rabbits after making his professional debut on an amateur tryout with the team’s AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign. The 5’11”, 180-pound forward skated with the Reign on April 12th against San Diego, a 4-3 overtime victory in which he recorded 4 PIM. Olson’s debut came after the conclusion of his college career with the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he earned 21 points (4g-17ast) in 37 games as a fifth-year skater.

Hailing from Calgary, Alberta, Olson played 175 games with UMD over five seasons, amassing 27 goals, 69 assists, and 96 points. Before going to college, he skated in a pair of seasons with the AJHL’s Okotoks Oilers, averaging over a point-per-game with 119 in 113 contests. The Boston Bruins drafted him in the 2019 NHL Draft (3^rd Rd/#92).

The Swamp Rabbits, 2024 South Division Champions, now look forward to the beginning of the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs, taking on the Orlando Solar Bears in the South Division Semifinals. Game 1 of the best-of-seven series is Sunday, April 21^st, slated for a 3:05 p.m. EST puck drop at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …
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 and the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s LA Kings and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Greenville is a ECHL, Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League member.

GREENVILLE SWAMP RABBITS

HOWLINGS

The post QUINN OLSON JOINS GREENVILLE SWAMP RABBITS first appeared on Howlings.