#briantosti

Broadcaster joins the organization from the Dubuque Fighting Saints BY: Brian Tosti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits Greenville, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits have announced the hiring of Jordan Kuhns as the new “Voice of the Swamp Rabbits,” and will serve the organization as the Director of Media Relations and Broadcaster. Kuhns joins the Swamp Rabbits organization from the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL. “I could not be more excited to be a member of this organization today,” Kuhns said. “I can’t wait to return to South Carolina, integrate myself into the Greenville community, and get started generating excitement for the upcoming season, which is just a few weeks away from getting underway.” Kuhns will broadcast all 72 games on the Swamp Rabbits Radio Network on Mixlr.com, with an additional 12 games featured on ESPN Upstate. The broadcast partnership kicks off with a full day broadcast before Opening Night on October 12 vs. Toledo. The 28-year-old Pennsylvania native served as the Director of Broadcasting & Media Relations for the Fighting Saints over the past three seasons and brings eight years of broadcasting experience to the Swamp Rabbits. Kuhns called over 200 games for the Fighting Saints on Dubuque’s Super Hits 106.1 FM and joined an exclusive group of broadcasters from the USHL to cover the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo, and the 2017 NHL Draft in Chicago. Kuhns also guided the Saints’ media strategies through the organization’s ownership change in the summer of 2018, as well as the transition of coaches from Jason Lammers to Oliver David. He was the face of the ‘Live Like A Saint’ program, an assembly that emphasized character education in schools all throughout the Dubuque area, and delivered a message of respect, responsibility, and acceptance to thousands of schoolchildren. “I want to thank Steve Donner, and my predecessor and good friend Brian Tosti for this opportunity. I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to Nick Shane and the rest of the Fighting Saints’ staff for giving me the experience I needed to move forward in my career,” Kuhns added. “We abided by a tradition of excellence in Dubuque, and I will do everything in my power to keep that standard in mind in everything I do here.” Kuhns is no stranger to the Palmetto State. In the summer of 2015, he served as the Director of Broadcasting & Media Relations with the Lexington County Blowfish of the Coastal Plain League (CPL). He helped bridge the gap in transitioning the team from Columbia to Lexington and assisted the team in winning CPL Organization of the Year. Additionally, Kuhns was selected as CPL Broadcaster of the Year at the conclusion of the season. A cum laude graduate of Millersville University in 2012, Kuhns was a frequent voice of Millersville University’s athletics on the Marauder Sports Broadcasting Network between 2010 and 2014 and was the school’s first-ever broadcaster and media director for the club hockey team, pioneering an entire media department. He also called Misericordia University athletics for the ESPN Williamsport family of stations during the 2014–15 athletic year. Kuhns becomes the fifth broadcaster in team history joining Ray Schmitt (Penn State), Andy Zilch (San Diego Gulls), Alan Fuehring (Bridgeport Sound Tigers), and Brian Tosti (Texas Stars). Read the full article

Tosti heads to the AHL after two seasons in Greenville BY: Brian Tosti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE,  S.C. –The Greenville Swamp Rabbits announced that Director of Media Relations / Broadcaster, Brian Tosti, has accepted a position with the AHL’s Texas Stars as club’s Director of Broadcasting & Media Relations. “The last two years in Greenville have been incredible. Being part of this organization and community was an absolute thrill,” said Tosti. “I want to thank everyone from the Swamp Rabbits in the last two years, especially Fred Festa, Chris Lewis, and Brian Gratz for believing in me and bringing me to the Upstate. I wouldn’t have this great opportunity with the Texas Stars without the experience I gained in Greenville.” Last season, Tosti earned recognition from the ECHL for his work and was named a finalist for the league’s 2018 Broadcaster of the Year award. In addition to serving as the voice of the organization, he also generated print and audio content while serving as the team’s liaison to the ECHL’s media department. He took on additional responsibilities which included managing the Swamp Rabbits website, collaborating on social media campaigns and content, generating sales of corporate partners and season tickets, and managing the club’s email marketing campaigns. Tosti’s work and accolades included selections to cover the 2016 NHL Draft as well as the 2015 & 2016 USHL Phase I Draft shows. His work on the 2015 USHL Draft show also earned a nomination at the Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards. Before joining the Swamp Rabbits, the Clifton Park, New York native manned the mic for the Bloomington Thunder in the USHL and began his career in 2013 as a member of the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs broadcast team. Tosti graduated from the State University of New York, at Oswego in 2013 with a BA in Broadcasting and Mass Communication. Tosti becomes the third broadcaster in the organization’s history to earn a position in the AHL. He will join former Greenville broadcasters Andy Zilch (San Diego Gulls) and Alan Fuehring (Bridgeport Sound Tigers) at the ‘AAA’ level this season. The Swamp Rabbits will announce the club’s replacement for the role of Director of Media Relations and Broadcaster tomorrow afternoon. Get Social: Follow the Swamp Rabbits and get behind-the-scenes coverage like never before on the team’s official Facebook and Twitter pages. Contact a Swamp Rabbits Account Executive at 864-674-PUCK (7825) for information on 2018-19 ticket plans, special group rates, and hospitality opportunities and to secure your seats today! Get the latest Swamp Rabbits gear by visiting the “Hop Shop” online at SwampRabbits.com/shop to browse the full collection of fan wear and novelties! Read the full article

Ticketing information for the preseason game on October 4 has not been announced. More information will be released shortly. Stay tuned to SwampRabbits.com, and Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information. For all additional questions, please contact the Swamp Rabbits at 864.674.7825. Get Social: Follow the Swamp Rabbits and get behind-the-scenes coverage like never before on the team’s official Facebook and Twitter pages! Contact a Swamp Rabbits Account Executive at 864.674.PUCK (7825) for information on 2018–19 ticket plans, special group rates and hospitality opportunities and secure your seats today! Get the latest Swamp Rabbits gear by visiting the “Hop Shop” online at SwampRabbits.com/shop to browse the full collection of fan wear and novelties! Read the full article

Swamp Rabbits sign rookie netminder after a stellar senior season in the NCAA BY: Brian Tosti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits Greenville, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits announced that netminder Devin Buffalo has signed his first professional contract with the club for the upcoming 2018-19 season. Buffalo has attended Dartmouth College for the last four years and ended his senior campaign as a nominee for the Hobey Baker Award. Buffalo, 24, played 64 games in his collegiate career, playing the majority of his minutes as a junior and senior with the Big Green. His career record ended at 25-30-5 with a .901 save percentage and 3.03 goals against average. His senior season included career highs across the board with a 15-11-1 record, .906 save percentage and 2.84 goals against average. “Devin had a great season at Dartmouth last year and has worked extremely hard to get here he is in his career,” said Swamp Rabbits head coach Kevin Kerr. “We are excited to have him in Greenville and eager to see how his work ethic and play will translate at the ECHL level.” The Wetaskiwin, Alberta native tallied a pair of shutouts in his career and made more than 30 saves in 21 different games. Buffalo’s career high of 48 saves came as a junior when facing Quinnipiac University. Before enrolling at Dartmouth, Buffalo played a majority of his junior career for the Flin Flon Bombers in the SJHL. Across three seasons, the goaltender played 105 games and earned a career 53-42-0-7 record. During his final season with the Bombers, he moved over to the Drumheller Dragons in the AJHL for the final 11 games of his junior career. The Swamp Rabbits have now signed 18 players for the upcoming season. The full list of players can be found below or check out our offseason player tracker at SwampRabbits.com. Forwards (11): Jarrid Privitera, Dylan Vander Esch, Stephen Pierog, Austen Brassard, Mike Pelech, Travis Howe, Alex Globke, Timmy Moore, Will Merchant, JT Henke and Johno May. Defensemen (6): Luke Ripley, Kyle Chatham, Jake Bolton, JC Brassard, Trevor Owens, and Sean Flanagan. Goaltender (2): Garrett Bartus and Devin Buffalo Read the full article

University of Vermont product signs first pro deal with Greenville. BY: Brian Tosti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits Greenville, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits announced today that forward Jarrid Privitera has signed a rookie contract with the team for the upcoming season. The winger played the last four seasons at the University of Vermont. “We’re excited to add Jarrid to our organization for this upcoming year. He’s a skilled forward that adds some speed to our offensive unit,” said Swamp Rabbits head coach Kevin Kerr. “He is a scrappy player who can find ways to score goals and will give us some added depth on the wing.” Privitera, 24, logged 139 games with the Catamounts from 2014 to 2018. The 5-foot-8, 153-pound forward tallied 59 points (27G, 32A) during his tenure and ranked third in scoring on the team as a sophomore. His 10 goals during the 2015-16 season were tied for the team lead and set a personal best during his collegiate career. Before enrolling at Vermont, Privitera played a pair of seasons with the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL. In 117 games, he notched 62 points (25G, 37A) in his career. He also was a top-6 score for the Saints and served as an alternate captain in his second USHL season. In the 2012-13 campaign, Privitera helped his club win the Clark Cup Championship by earning six points (2G, 4A) during his team’s 11-game postseason run. The Swamp Rabbits have now signed 18 players for the upcoming season. The full list of players can be found below or check out our offseason player tracker at SwampRabbits.com. Forwards (11): Jarrid Privitera, Dylan Vander Esch, Stephen Pierog, Austen Brassard, Mike Pelech, Travis Howe, Alex Globke, Timmy Moore, Will Merchant, JT Henke and Johno May. Defensemen (6): Luke Ripley, Kyle Chatham, Jake Bolton, JC Brassard, Trevor Owens, and Sean Flanagan. Goaltender (1): Garrett Bartus Read the full article

The full schedule of games can be found at SwampRabbits.com/schedule or download the team’s Printable Schedule here. Each home game will remain scheduled for 7 p.m. while Sunday, February 24 in Orlando will be played at 1:30 p.m. In addition to the changes to the schedule, all ticket packages involving Saturday, March 30 will instead include Friday, March 29. For any questions regarding ticketing, please contact your account representative, call (864) 674-PUCK (7825), or email [email protected]. Read the full article

Chatham, 25, saw his first pro action with the Reading Royals last season. The rookie skater played three games after playing his senior season at Lake Superior State University. The blueliner was a four-year regular for the Lakers, suiting up for 146 career games and earning 24 points (5G, 19A). As a junior, the Belleville, Illinois native was named the club’s most valuable defenseman and set career bests in goals, assists, and points. Chatham also teamed up with Ripley in 2013-14 on Powell River, reaching the division final. The additions of Vander Esch, Ripley, and Chatham give the Swamp Rabbits 17 players on the offseason roster. The list also includes goaltender Garrett Bartus, forwards Stephen Pierog, Austen Brassard, Mike Pelech, Travis Howe, Alex Globke, Timmy Moore, Will Merchant, JT Henke and Johno May and defensemen Jake Bolton, JC Brassard, Trevor Owens, and Sean Flanagan. As the offseason continues, stay tuned to SwampRabbits.com for a full updated list of players to sign for the upcoming season. Read the full article

The four-year Swamp Rabbits captain concludes his playing career after eight pro seasons. BY: Brian Tosti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits Greenville, SC – After seven years in Greenville and an eight-year professional career, Greenville Swamp Rabbits captain Bretton Cameron has announced his retirement from hockey. On Twitter last night, Cameron posted the announcement saying, “Hockey has been an enormous part of my life. I have been playing professional hockey for 8 years and played junior (hockey) for 4. After much thought with my family, I’ve decided to retire from playing,” said the veteran. “To my various coaching staffs and teammates: thank you for helping me develop as a person and a player. “The Greenville Swamp Rabbits fans and booster club have been incredibly kind and supportive over the past 7 years. It has been an honor and a pleasure to play hockey for this community. Thank you to my wife, parents, siblings, grandparents, other family members and friends for supporting me all these years,” he continued. “To the Medicine Hat Tigers family: thank you so much for allowing me to play for one of the best teams in the CHL. I appreciate every memory I have from the Hat! Greenville will be home. Can’t wait to see what’s next.” Cameron, 29, retires as the longest tenured Greenville Swamp Rabbits player in franchise history. He ends his time with the franchise as the team leader with 314 games played, and 568 PIMS, while also ranking second with 97 assists, third with 165 points, and fourth with 68 goals. The veteran forward was also the longest-tenured captain in team history, wearing the badge for four seasons and an additional year as alternate captain in 2013-14. T.J. Reynolds and Sean Berkstresser were the only other players to hold the captain position for the club. The Red Deer, Alberta native began his career in 2010 with the Stockton Thunder and across eight seasons accumulated 424 games professionally, including 401 ECHL contests. Cameron’s point total reached 217 (91G, 126A) in his career and achieved his highest single-season offensive output in 2016-17 with 44 points (20G, 24A). In addition to his ECHL career, Cameron played 23 AHL games during stints with the Connecticut Whale (2011) and the Texas Stars (2013). The 5-foot-11, 190-pound skater played 10 postseason games during his career and earned three points (1G, 2A). Including his postseason action, Cameron collected 17 game-winning goals, 21 power play goals, and six shorthanded tallies. Read the full article