SWAMP RABBITS BUILDING 26-27 ROSTER WITH MOVES
TREVOR JANICKE JOINS SWAMP RABBITS IN 2026-27 3rd-year forward reunites with Costello; earned 28 points in Ft Wayne, finished in the Western Conference Final
By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and AHL’s Ontario Reign, announced today via a Swamp Rabbit Moving Transaction that forward Trevor Janicke has signed with the team for the 2026-27 ECHL Season.
Janicke is the second newcomer and fifth player announced to the roster for the upcoming season, joining Cade McNelly and returners Jake Murray, Jack Brackett, and Josh Zary.
Janicke joins the Swamp Rabbits following his second professional season, which was spent with the Fort Wayne Komets. The 5’11”, 200-pound forward matched his rookie season goal total of 11 and surpassed his assist and point totals with 17 and 28, respectively, along with a +15 rating in 64 contests. Janicke also suited up in 17 Kelly Cup Playoff games, adding an assist in a run that finished in the Western Conference Finals against the Kansas City Mavericks.
Janicke reunites with Head Coach/GM Chad Costello, who was his interim coach with the Rapid City Rush during his rookie year. In the 2024-25 campaign, Janicke earned 25 points in 30 games.
“It helps to be playing in a beautiful place like Greenville, South Carolina. Playing in the South Division is an exciting challenge, and I’ll welcome that head-on. However, if I’m being honest, my decision to come to Greenville came down to Coach Costello. When he and I were together briefly in Rapid City, it was some of the most fun and success I’ve ever had playing hockey,” Janicke said of signing with the Swamp Rabbits and reuniting with Costello. “I learned a ton last season to build into this October: it was my first ‘full’ season regarding games played and included a long, grinding playoff run finishing two wins from a Kelly Cup Final. I grew as a leader and learned when to say my piece and be more vocal, so I’m excited to bring that to Greenville this year.
“I am a full 200-foot player: I love scoring and shooting the puck, and I was relied upon heavily last season for the defensive and physical side of my game. I can be trusted in any situation, and plan to use my energy, relentless play, and 110% effort approach every time I suit up,” Janicke concluded. “I’m excited to meet my new teammates and contribute to what I believe will be a highly competitive team next year. I look forward to the challenge of the South Division and can’t wait to help this team win some games.”
“Trevor is a massive addition to our roster in every facet, both on and off the ice. I’m really excited to reunite with someone I consider to be an outstanding human being and just as good a hockey player,” Chad Costello, Head Coach/GM of the Swamp Rabbits, said of his newest signing. “Trevor has my full trust to play in any situation that arises in a game. All of his success on the ice is a direct result of his effort. He’s relentless offensively, responsible defensively, and his character will contribute greatly in our locker room. Just as important, Trevor is committed to making an impact in the community. Fans will love watching him compete for us this season.”
A native of Maple Grove, MN, Janicke, 25, enters his third professional season with 109 games to his credit: 94 of them have come in the ECHL with the Komets and Rush, where he’s earned 22 goals, 31 assists, and 53 points, and the remaining 15 are with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers, where he has an assist to his credit. Before turning professional, Janicke spent five NCAA seasons with the University of Notre Dame, amassing 44 goals and 85 points in 175 games with the Fighting Irish. He also captained the USHL’s Central Illinois Flying Aces and spent two seasons in the United States National Team Development Program, suiting up for the USA at the 2018 U-18 World Junior Championships, where he earned a silver medal. Janicke was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2019 NHL Draft (5th Rd/#132).
Janicke comes from a hockey family. His brother, Justin, was a former college and USNTDP teammate of his and was drafted by the Seattle Kraken in 2021. He recently finished this past season as a runner-up for the Kelly Cup Championship with the Kansas City Mavericks. Their father, Curtis, also went to Notre Dame and racked up 144 points in 125 games across four seasons.
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SWAMP RABBITS RE-SIGN JOSH ZARY FOR 2026-27 SEASON Rookie forward enters first full pro season, earned a goal, five points in 18 games out of college in 25-26
By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and AHL’s Ontario Reign, announced today via a Swamp Rabbit Moving Transaction that Josh Zary has re-signed with the team for the 2026-27 ECHL Season.
Zary is the fourth player announced to the roster, joining fellow returners Jake Murray and Jack Brackett and newcomer Cade McNelly.
Zary returns to the Swamp Rabbits after turning professional with the team towards the end of the 2025-26 ECHL Season. The 6’1”, 200-pound forward made his professional debut at Jacksonville on March 13th and registered his first professional point on March 20th in a 4-3 overtime loss at Savannah. Zary later picked up his first professional goal on March 29th vs Jacksonville in his home debut and finished the season with five points in 18 contests.
“It was a no-brainer for me, to be honest. I was welcomed with open arms, blown away by the organization from upstairs to the locker room, and appreciated how much the city embraces this team,” Zary said of coming back to the Upstate. “I realized quickly that the professional game is different from college, but the 18 games I played exceeded my expectations and helped me grow as the season went on. The main lesson learned was that you can’t take a game off: the season is grueling, and I’ll see that firsthand going into a full 72-game season. You have to take care of yourself, stay engaged, and be the best version of yourself night in and night out to not only to succeed, but to stay in the league.
“I’m excited to continue with Coach Costello as well. My teammates were phenomenal to work with, but Coach Costello was exceptional in allowing us to really acclimate to the pro game by just playing, making mistakes, and learning each day we skated together,” Zary concluded. “As far as next year goes, I expect to win. We obviously fell short last season, but if you’re not going into a new year preparing to win, you’re not setting yourself up for success. On top of that, I personally expect to be the best player I can be. Whatever role is given to me, I expect to succeed and help the team win. I can’t wait to get back to Greenville in a few months.”
“It’s funny that Josh says it was a no-brainer to return because, for me, it was a no-brainer to re-sign him. I’m so glad to have him back in a Swamp Rabbits sweater for his first full professional season,” said Chad Costello, Swamp Rabbits Head Coach/GM. “Josh knew exactly the player he needed to be when he turned professional. He came in with confidence, toughness, and a relentless work ethic that helped him build to the end of the season. Zar can play all three forward positions, big PK minutes, win draws, and isn’t afraid to play in the hard areas to create goals or chances. I expect him to really find his stride in this first full season, score some big goals, and be a dependable player when we hit the ice starting in October.”
From Nanaimo, BC, Zary, 24, turned professional following his final NCAA season with Ferris State University, logging 13 goals and 20 points in 36 games. In total, he played 128 games in his college career between Ferris State and Long Island University, scoring 57 goals and totaling 88 points. With LIU, Zary became the program’s first-ever 20-goal scorer in his sophomore campaign, setting that career-high as part of a personal best 32 points in 35 games. Before going to college, he split four seasons in the BCHL with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs and Cowichan Valley Capitals, earning 40 goals and 81 points in 118 games. He is the first cousin of current NHLer Connor Zary, the 24th overall selection to the Calgary Flames in 2020, who has nearly 200 NHL games played and captured the 2021 U20 World Junior Championship silver medal with Team Canada.
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McNELLY ACQUIRED IN A TRADE WITH TULSA Third-year defenseman racked up 83 PIM in 41 games with the Oilers last season
By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and AHL’s Ontario Reign, announced via a Swamp Rabbit Moving Transaction that the team has acquired third-year forward/defenseman Cade McNelly in a trade with the Tulsa Oilers for forward Caiden Gault.
McNelly is the first new player, and third overall, announced to the team’s roster for the upcoming campaign, joining defenseman Jake Murray and forward Jack Brackett, both returners from last season.
McNelly comes to the Swamp Rabbits after completing his second professional season with the Tulsa Oilers. The 6’3”, 205-pound forward/defenseman earned the first three goals of his professional career, coming via a hat trick on January 17th in a 5-2 win against Allen, while registering 83 PIM in 41 games. In the series between the Swamp Rabbits and Oilers in February last season, McNelly fought John Parker-Jones in the finale, a 5-2 win for Tulsa.
“When I first heard I was traded to the Swamp Rabbits, I was really excited. I enjoyed the brief time I spent there during our three-game series last season, and while the Swamp Rabbits didn’t make the postseason, I thought it was a great team we were playing against. I’m thankful to be a part of it now,” McNelly said of his trade to the Upstate. “I bring hard work and a very physical style to my game. Most of that comes down to fighting and standing up for my teammates, but I also chip in where I can. I feel I can play solid minutes, regardless of whether it’s at the forward or defenseman position. It’s all about what the team needs.
“Going into my third season as a pro, I’m always working on my game, but I’m also continuing to learn how to be a professional. I feel that’s key to developing, so I’ll always continue to prioritize that, whether it’s the x’s and o’s or my off-ice habits,” McNelly concluded. “My expectation is to get better every day and do what I can to elevate the guys around me, whether they’re younger or older. If I can push myself and my teammates to be a little better every day, it’ll pay off tremendously in the standings. I can’t wait to get started in a new city in Greenville and meet all the fans come October.”
“I’m really pleased we were able to acquire Cade. In this trade, we receive a player who is another team-first individual that will stand up for us on the ice,” Chad Costello, Head Coach/GM of the Swamp Rabbits, said about today’s deal. “Cade doesn’t just bring toughness to our organization, but also versatility. At this level, having a player who can seamlessly transition between forward and defenseman provides our lineup with great flexibility on any given game day. I expect him to push everyone around him to be better and bring a major physical element to our organization.”
From Westlock, AB, McNelly, 24, turned professional after one season in Canadian college hockey with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), racking up 70 PIM in 10 games. Before his lone college campaign, he played parts of five WHL seasons with the Vancouver Giants and Seattle Thunderbirds (122gp, 6g-11ast-17pts, 317 PIM), and briefly with the BCHL’s Vernon Vipers (19gp, 3 goals, 63 PIM).
McNelly comes from an extensive hockey family. His father, Tate, tended goal for two seasons at SAIT and three seasons in the AJHL with the St. Albert Saints, while his brother, Ashton, finished his second season at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology following five seasons between the AJHL and WHL in the junior ranks. His uncle, Brent Bilodeau, was drafted 17th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 1991 and played 12 seasons of professional hockey across the AHL, IHL, WCHL, and ECHL, including six campaigns with the Johnstown Chiefs. Additionally, Brent was the Assistant Coach for the WHL’s Tri-City Americans (2010-12) and ECHL’s Las Vegas Wranglers (2005-08) and Head Coach of the CHL’s Wichita Thunder (2008-10). Yvon Bilodeau, his grandfather, was drafted 78th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1971, played nine professional seasons, and was a two-time IHL First Team All-Star. His great uncle, Bob Bilodeau, was selected 133rd overall by the Atlanta Flames in 1973 and suited up for nine professional seasons, earning two nods to the AHL’s Second All-Star Team while capturing the 1980 Calder Cup with the Hershey Bears as the captain.
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JACK BRACKETT RETURNS FOR SECOND SEASON WITH THE SWAMP RABBITS Forward completed his first full professional season in 2025-26, earning 11 goals and 13 points
By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and AHL’s Ontario Reign, announced via a Swamp Rabbit Moving Transaction that forward Jack Brackett has re-signed with the team for the upcoming 2026-27 ECHL Season.
Brackett is the second player announced to the team’s roster for the upcoming campaign, joining defenseman Jake Murray, also a returner from last season.
Brackett returns to the Upstate after finishing his first full professional season with the Swamp Rabbits. The 5’11”, 180-pound forward notched a baker’s dozen of points last year, 11 of them coming via ignition of the goal lamp in 69 games. Brackett’s 11 tallies were good for eighth-best on the Swamp Rabbits and third amongst all first-year professionals on the team
“It’s crazy to think I almost have 100 professional games, and it's very special they’ve all come as a Swamp Rabbit. I’m super excited to come back to a place that I’m super comfortable with and a place that means a great deal to me personally because I know I and the team can succeed here,” Brackett said of his return to the Swamp Rabbits. “I had a tough start to the year coming off of an offseason procedure, but I felt I finally found my footing and turned it into a solid finish that allowed me to build into this offseason and prepare for this upcoming October. I was really pleased with how I worked on my shot last season with an attacking mindset, and that’s something I’m bringing back with me this year.
“I feel, regardless of what level you’re playing at, it’s important to have a great relationship with your coach and with your teammates, and that’s what I feel I have with Coach Costello going into year two with him. It’s important for team camaraderie and helps build confidence, which Costi is doing with the team he’s putting together this summer,” Brackett concluded. “I know we can win here, and in order to do that, we not only need to have a great summer of preparation, but also really need to get off to a fast start. It’s a long season, but if your start isn’t there, it’s going to feel even longer, so if we’re ready on day one of camp and subsequently game one of 72, we’ll be in great shape to make the run I’m confident we can make.”
“It’s great to have Jack back in Greenville for his second professional season. His presence on this roster adds a tremendous amount of character in every facet of the game,” Swamp Rabbits Head Coach/GM Chad Costello said of re-signing Brackett. “Jack is an incredible person, and that aspect of him has helped propel him on the ice. He is the ultimate team-first guy: he can play key minutes, especially on the PK, his speed is a gamechanger, and his offensive touch really shined towards the end of the season. Coming into his second season with both this team and me, my expectations for Jack are high. I truly believe he will score more goals this upcoming season and will be a key contributor to our success.”
Hailing from Manassas, Virginia, Brackett, 25, enters his second professional season, with all of his time spent with the Swamp Rabbits. He made his professional debut and scored his first professional goal on March 12, 2025, and since then has suited up for the Swamp Rabbits 84 times, scoring 16 goals and totaling 20 points. Prior to his ascension to the professional ranks, Brackett played four seasons of NCAA college hockey with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), registering 37 points (12g-25ast) in 117 games as an Engineer.
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 a member of the ECHL, Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League.
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