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

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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

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By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

ORLANDO, Fla. – Ben Freeman broke a 1-1 deadlock late in the second period, and Jacob Ingham stopped all but one of 29 shots on net to help lead the Greenville Swamp Rabbits to a 2-1 win over the Orlando Solar Bears on Wednesday night. Because it came against Orlando, the win slashes the Swamp Rabbits magic number to clinch a playoff spot from 21 to 17 with 15 games remaining.

Both teams left the first just as it started, deadlocked, but each team potted one goal in the first 20 minutes. Aaron Luchuck started off Orlando on the right foot 85 seconds into the game, cashing in a close-range rebound from the left past Swamp Rabbits net-minder Jacob Ingham, giving the Solar Bears an early 1-0 lead (Avery Winslow and Brayden Low assisted). Near the halfway point of the frame, Brannon McManus tied the game up for Greenville. With 9:14 gone by in the first, McManus, off of a d-zone faceoff, chipped the puck by his defender and skated up the ice uncontested. McManus fired a laser off the back bar of the net past Solar Bears goalie Evan Fitzpatrick to square the game at 1-1.

Both teams skated without any additional fireworks for most of the second until Ben Freeman broke the tie late in the period. With 2:54 left, the Swamp Rabbits captain took the puck on the left wall and rifled a shot through traffic, bouncing off of an Orlando defender and into the net to give the Swamp Rabbits a 2-1 lead (Anthony Beauchamp and Ryan Francis assisted).

The third period was a defensive war, with the Solar Bears hammering 13 shots on net in the last 20 minutes. The Swamp Rabbits stood tall and weathered a late push, with Fitzpatrick pulled for the extra attacker to finish a hard-earned 2-1 win.

Jacob Ingham stopped all but one of 29 shots on net, winning his fifth consecutive start since February 18^th (16-6-1-0).

The Swamp Rabbits conclude their four-game road swing with a showdown against the Savannah Ghost Pirates tomorrow night. Puck drop for Thursday, March 7^th, is slated for 7:00 p.m. EST from Enmarket 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

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Young wins it in OT, Pavlychev gets 100 as a Swamp Rabbit, and Bednard shines in a goalie duel

By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Colton Young fired the overtime winner 1:57 into overtime, and Nikita Pavlychev notched his 100th point with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits with the primary assist, capping off an intense midseason goaltending duel that finished as a 2-1 win over the Orlando Solar Bears on Friday night from Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The win pushes Greenville to 25-10-1-0 through 36 games, the best midseason record in Head Coach Andrew Lord’s four seasons in Greenville.

Both teams skated to a scoreless deadlock after 20 minutes of play, with Brandon Halverson turning aside all 18 Swamp Rabbits shots he faced defending the Solar Bears net. Ryan Bednard, 2024 ECHL All-Star net-minder for Greenville, staved off the 10 shots provided by Orlando.

The Swamp Rabbits opened the game’s scoring halfway through the second period, solving the goaltending battle for the time being. At 7:35, Brannon McManus finished serving the front end of a Nikita Pavlychev double-minor for roughing, shot out of the penalty box, and tracked the puck deep in the Solar Bears zone. McManus found Jake Smith right between the hash marks, and the latter buried his shot past Halverson to put the Swamp Rabbits ahead 1-0 (McManus had the lone assist).

Early in the final period, Alexandre Fortin squared the game up on a break into the Swamp Rabbits third. With 2:16 played in the third, Fortin snuck in close to Bednard, who denied him on his initial chance. Exposed and outstretched, Fortin squeaked the puck past him to tie the game at 1-1 (Jesse Jacques had the lone assist). Unable to find a winner, both teams went to overtime, the Swamp Rabbits’ second bout past 60 minutes in the last week.

It took less than two minutes to produce a winner, and the Swamp Rabbits claimed the second point for the second time in as many overtime games. At 1:57 of overtime, Nikita Pavlychev came through neutral ice in transition with Colton Young to his left. Pavlychev deferred to Young, who rifled the OT-winner past Halverson to win the game for the Swamp Rabbits, 2-1 (Pavlychev and Max Coyle assisted)

Ryan Bednard stopped all but one of the 31 shots faced in earning the win between the pipes (11-8-0-0). With an assist on Young’s overtime strike, Pavlychev notched his 100th point as a member of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, comprised of 47 goals and 53 assists over 96 games.

The Swamp Rabbits now travel down the coast to battle the Jacksonville Icemen tomorrow night, their final game before the All-Star Break. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 p.m. EST at VyStar Veterans Memorial 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, 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.

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Fifth-year net-minder earns first career selection to ECHL’s midseason classic.

SHREWSBURY, NJ – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, are excited to announce goaltender Ryan Bednard has been selected to the 2024 ECHL All-Star Team as part of the 2024 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic presented by Gulfstream.

Swamp Rabbits fans can watch Bednard represent Greenville in the League’s midseason showcase, hosted by the Savannah Ghost Pirates, on Monday, January 15, at 7:00 p.m. ET at Enmarket Arena. The game will air LIVE exclusively on NHL Network and be streamed via FloHockey.

Bednard’s all-star selection is the first of his five-year professional career. Through 15 games in the 2023-24 campaign, the 6’5″, 207-pound net-minder compiled a record of 8-7-0-0 with one shutout, a 3.27 GAA, and 0.903 SV%. With his lone shutout earned thus far, Bednard became the Swamp Rabbits all-time leader with 7 to his credit.

A native of Macomb Township, Mich. Bednard, boasts a record of 65-52-10-3 in 133 ECHL games with nine shutouts, a 2.85 GAA, and 0.909 SV% with the Swamp Rabbits, Wheeling Nailers, and South Carolina Stingrays. Four of his five professional seasons have come in The Upstate, earning a record of 49-33-7-3 with his team record seven shutouts, a 2.78 GAA, and 0.912 SV% in 94 games. Additionally, Bednard has logged 17 games, six wins, and one shutout in the American Hockey League with the Springfield Thunderbirds, Syracuse Crunch, Hershey Bears, Abbotsford Canucks, and Belleville Senators. Before turning professional, the 26-year-old backstopper skated in the NCAA with Bowling Green State University, the USHL with the Youngstown Phantoms, and the NAHL with the Johnstown Tomahawks. The Florida Panthers drafted him in the 2015 NHL Draft (7^th Rd/#206).

The 2024 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic presented by Gulfstream will consist of the host Savannah Ghost Pirates taking on a team of ECHL All-Stars representing the other teams in the League. The event will also feature several skills events, which will count as a goal towards the winning player’s team score. The 2024 ECHL All-Star Skills Competition will occur between periods of the game, with results counting towards the cumulative score. The game’s first two periods will be 5-on-5, while the final period will consist of 3-on-3.

There have been 72 players from the ECHL All-Star Game have gone on to play in the National Hockey League, including 56 since 2002.

The roster for the ECHL All-Stars was determined by a vote of coaches, team captains, media relations directors, broadcasters, and media members.

ECHL All-Star Roster

Goaltenders
Ryan Bednard, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Peyton Jones, Iowa Heartlanders
Thomas Milic, Norfolk Admirals

Defensemen
Kris Myllari, Allen Americans
Jalen Smereck, Cincinnati Cyclones
Nathan Staios, Florida Everblades
Gabriel Chicoine, Maine Mariners
Jonny Tychonick, Newfoundland Growlers
Connor Moore, South Carolina Stingrays
Luka Profaca, Tulsa Oilers
Kyle Mayhew, Utah Grizzlies
Trevor Cosgrove, Worcester Railers

Forwards
Patrick Grasso, Adirondack Thunder
Mitch Fossier, Atlanta Gladiators
Jack Dugan, Fort Wayne Komets
Mark Rassell, Idaho Steelheads
Cameron Hillis, Indy Fuel
Brendan Harris, Jacksonville Icemen
Ty Glover, Kalamazoo Wings
Max Andreev, Kansas City Mavericks
Mitchell Hoelscher, Orlando Solar Bears
Alex Aleardi, Rapid City Rush
Matt Brown, Reading Royals
Brandon Hawkins, Toledo Walleye
Anthony Beauregard, Trois-Rivières Lions
Dillon Hamaliuk, Wheeling Nailers
Peter Bates, Wichita Thunder

Serving as the start of the All-Star festivities, the Savannah Ghost Pirates will also be hosting Fan Fest on Sunday, January 14, at Enmarket Arena. Fan Fest will feature live music, interactive games, player autographs, giveaways, and an exclusive area dedicated to the Hockey Hall of Fame featuring some of hockey’s most famed memorabilia exhibits and trophies. CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets for Fan Fest.

The 16th class of the ECHL Hall of Fame will be officially inducted at a luncheon presented by BFL CANADA and Sutton Special Risk on Monday, January 15, at noon at the Savannah Convention Center. Tickets include a plated lunch with the ECHL Hall of Fame ceremony and are on sale for $75 per person.

The 2024 Warrior/ECHL All-Star Classic, presented by Gulfstream, will occur on Monday, January 15, 2024, at Enmarket Arena. CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets today!

About the ECHL

Formed in 1988-89 with five teams in four states, the ECHL has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 28 teams in 20 states and two Canadian provinces for its 36th season in 2023-24. There have been 744 players who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League after starting their careers in the ECHL, including four who have made their NHL debuts in the 2023-24 season. The ECHL has affiliations with 28 of the 32 NHL teams in 2023-24, marking the 27th consecutive season that the League has affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. Further information on the ECHL is available on its website at ECHL.com.

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, 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.

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GREENVILLE, SC – Luke Richardson’s 31 saves paved the way for the Greenville Swamp Rabbits to top the Savannah Ghost Pirates 5-2 on Saturday night at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

GAME SHEET: Click HERE

Greenville started the game with a similar opening to the previous night’s meeting with the Orlando Solar Bears, as Jake Smith gave the Rabbits the 1-0 lead just 5:52 into the game with a power-play one-timer for his ninth of the season. Just beyond the midway point, Smith snapped the puck to Tanner Eberle, who added to Greenville’s advantage with his fifth of the season at 10:20.

In the second period, Greenville extended its lead to 3-0 at 4:24, as Brannon McManus one-timed his fifth of the season into the Savannah net. Later, at 14:56, Eberle’s shot was left loose in the crease for Colton Young to poke his third of the season into the Ghost Pirates net. The fourth goal saw the night end for Savannah goaltender Kaden Fulcher, as Michael McNiven replaced him after allowing the four goals on 26 shots. After the goaltending change, Savannah broke up Luke Richardson’s shutout bid with a power-play goal at 19:55 from Pat Guay.

Savannah clawed closer to the Swamp Rabbits with a second power-play goal from Guay at 12:55 in the third period. Late in the period, as Anthony Beauchamp was on a breakaway toward the empty Savannah net, Ghost Pirates forward Logan Drevitch committed a hooking infraction that drew an awarded goal to Beauchamp at 18:25 for the 5-2 score line.

W: Richardson

L:  Fulcher

With the win, the Swamp Rabbits improved to an Eastern Conference-best 20-8-0-0 and remained atop the South Division, while the Ghost Pirates fell to 9-15-3-1.

The Swamp Rabbits travel to Hertz Arena in Estero, Florida, for a pair of meetings with the Florida Everblades beginning on December 28.

Swamp Rabbits Single-Game tickets, Full Season, and Half Season Tickets for the 2023-24 season are on sale now at SwampRabbits.com or by calling (864) 674-7825.

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, 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.

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GREENVILLE, S.C.  – Aaron Luchuk’s hat-trick performance helped to overpower the Greenville Swamp Rabbits as they fell to the Orlando Solar Bears 7-2 on Saturday night at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

GAME SHEET: Click HERE

The first meeting between the Swamp Rabbits and the Solar Bears didn’t take long to produce offense, as Jake Smith scored his seventh of the season just 3:18 into the game for the 1-0 Greenville lead. Not long after, at 5:59, Orlando answered with a deflection goal from Tanner Dickinson. Later in the period, at 17:54, Orlando broke into the zone with a 2-on-1 and capitalized with an Aaron Luchuk goal for the 2-1 lead.

In the second period, the team traded shots before Orlando converted for a 3-1 advantage, as a misplayed puck fell for Aaron Luchuk, who scored his second of the game at 14:35. After a brutal hit in the Swamp Rabbits’ offensive zone, Greenville’s Joe Leahy dropped the gloves with Chris Harpur late in the period.

The third saw Orlando score a pair of goals to add to its advantage, as Mitch Hoelscher was credited with a power-play goal at 5:03. Alex Frye added another at 6:09. At 15:02  Smith was credited with a power-play goal for Greenville before Luchuck secured his hat-trick on an empty-net goal at 16:58. At 17:52, Tanner Schachle netted his first of the season, solidifying the 7-2 final.

W: Halverson

L: Bednard

With the loss, the Swamp Rabbits remain atop the Eastern Conference but fall to 19-8-0-0, while the Solar Bears improve to 13-9-1-1.

The Swamp Rabbits remain at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Saturday night as they welcome the Savannah Ghost Pirates at 7 p.m.

Swamp Rabbits Single-Game tickets, Full Season, and Half Season Tickets for the 2023-24 season are on sale now at SwampRabbits.com or by calling (864) 674-7825.

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, 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.

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Greenville Swamp Rabbits (19-7-0-0) vs. Orlando Solar Bears (12-9-1-1)

December 22, 2023 | 7:05 PM ET | Regular Season Game #27
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

TICKETS

Referees: JR Stragar (2)
Linesmen: Tyler Willie (78), Felix-Antoine Voyer (57)

TONIGHT’S STORYLINES

The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (1st South, 1st East) look for a rebound win on home ice in the season’s first meeting against the Orlando Solar Bears (4th South, 8th East).

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Pregame Coverage begins at 6:45 PM 
LISTEN: Bon Secours Rabbits Radio Network
WATCH: FloHockey Live Stream
Voice of the Swamp Rabbits Mark Shelley (Play-by-Play) and Matt Caldwell (analyst) on the call

SWAMP RABBITS VS SOLAR BEARS SERIES 

Regular Season Record:

Overall: (0-0-0-0) Home:(0-0-0-0) Away: (0-0-0-0)

Last Meeting: 

April 8, 2023 – Greenville 5 vs Orlando 2

Next Meeting: 

January 10, 2023 – Greenville vs Orlando

22-23 Regular Season Record:

Greenville : (6-2-0-0)

All-Time Record:

(48-38-9)

ECHL STANDINGS 
Standings

QUICK BITS

LOOKING FOR 20

As one of the winningest teams in the ECHL, the Swamp Rabbits are one of just three teams looking to hit a season milestone on Friday. Boasting a 19-7-0-0 record, the ‘Bits have the opportunity to become the first team in the league to hit the 20-win mark and maintain their comfortable lead in the Eastern Conference and South Division. A win over Orlando on Friday also solidifies the Rabbits’ spot in the league’s top 5 rankings and brings their season total to 40 points.

IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN GREENVILLE

The Orlando Solar Bears will travel to Greenville on Friday, December 22, for their first meeting with the Swamp Rabbits this season. The Rabbits came out on top in six of eight total meetings with the Bears last season, outscoring them 39-26 across all eight contests. Posting an 11-9-1-1 record, the Solar Bears are ranked ninth in the Eastern Conference with 24 points and fifth in the South Division, trailed only by Savannah and Atlanta.

TWO FOR TWO 

Two Swamp Rabbits shone during Greenville’s matchup with Atlanta on Wednesday: Jake Smith and Ethan Somoza; both players tallied a goal and an assist. Smith netted his sixth goal of the season at 3:41 of the second period, assisted by Somoza, to give the Rabbits a 2-1 lead. It was Smith’s second even-strength goal of the season, as he scored the other four on the power play. Smith also assisted Somoza’s third-period goal–his seventh since opening night–which served as the 3-3 equalizer just over halfway through the period. They have much in common: they’re both forwards, have a last name that starts with “S,” and now both have 12 points on the season.

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, 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.

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HARTFORD, CT – Injury issues are plaguing the New York Rangers for the first time in a very long time, and as a result, it’s impacting the Hartford Wolf Pack, challenging both teams who are off to a good start to the season.

Goalie Jonathan Quick (Hamden/AOF) joins the list of the walking wounded in New York with an upper-body injury. He joins Igor Shesterkin, who is nursing a lower-body injury. Both are listed as day-to-day.

Also injured are Filip Chytil, who is believed to have a concussion, according to Mollie Walker of the New York Post, and Adam Fox, who has a leg injury.

Forward Jonny Brodzinski, defenseman Connor Mackey, and goaltender Louie Domingue, who were all on recall from Hartford, were sent back after just one game in Minnesota.

The Quick injury forced the oddity of recalling both Hartford goalies, Domingue and Dylan Garand.

Mackay was recalled as well.

The Wolf Pack play Friday in Bridgeport against the Islanders and then host the Providence Bruins.

With both Hartford goalies in New York, the call was made to the Cincinnati Cyclones, the team’s ECHL affiliates, to call up their netminders, Olaf Lindbom and Talyn Boyko.

Seth Barton opted to leave the Wolf Pack and sign with KooKoo (Finland-FEL).

UCONN gained a recruit commit for next year from a famous New England hockey surname, Mason Kesselring. He started the season with the Lincoln Stars (USHL) and was recently traded to the Fargo Force (USHL). His father, Casey Kesselring, was a 1990s-era Hockey East star with Merrimack College (1994-1998) and had a five-year minor pro career. His brother Michael is with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL) and was recalled by the Arizona Coyotes.

Nico Gross, a 2020 Rangers draftee in Switzerland. He looks to be staying there after signing a deal with HC Davos (NLA), ending a four-year relationship with EV Zug.

Hockey history with Arizona.

For the first time in 35 years, two Gordie Howe hat tricks, a fight, a goal, and an assist, were registered in one game by the same team. The last time it happened was in Winnipeg, as Peter Taglianetti and Andrew McBain registered “The Gordie.”

In Arizona, it was Liam O’Brien and Jack McBain, the son of the ex-New Haven Senator Andrew McBain.

After six games with the Orlando Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL), ex-Pack goalie Brandon Halverson signs with the Syracuse Crunch.

After four games with the Adirondack Thunder (ECHL) and under suspension, ex-Bridgeport Sound Tiger Yannick Turcotte departs overseas for Ferencvárosi TC (Hungary-MOL).

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By: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings

NEW YORK, NY – The New York Rangers first tasted Madison Square Garden Ice on Tuesday night, taking a 4-2 victory over the rival New York Islanders.

They raced out to an early 3-0 lead in the first five minutes. Rookie Brennan Othman, who’s expected to be in Hartford with the Wolf Pack, made a strong impression with a physically initiating play in an early hit behind the net on the Islanders’ Sebastian Aho.

Othmann had no points or shots but was involved every shift. Jake Leschyshyn had a tremendous blind backhanded pass to set up Ranger newcomer Blake Wheeler’s goal.

Dylan Garand, who played the second and third periods in net in relief of Igor Shesterkin, stopped nine of 10 shots. He gave up a goal to Bridgeport Islander Arnaud Durandeau, who beat him a few times last season.

Rookie Matt Rempe had a solid second-period bout, shiner and all, against a tough customer, Ross Johnston.

Ex-Pack goalie Keith Kinkaid was injured in the New Jersey Devils pre-season opener in Montreal, and the Devils play the Rangers on Thursday night.

Ex-Pack goalie Brandon Halverson returns to North American hockey from Germany DEL-2 for one more chance with Dallas Stars on a PTO training camp deal aiming for a spot with Texas Stars (AHL). Still, he signed an agreement with the Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL), who he started with last year.

Bridgeport Islanders and former NHL goalie Corey Schneider opted to retire last season rather than go to Europe and play out his career.

NEW YORK RANGERS

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