SWAMP RABBITS RECEIVE DUO FROM SYRACUSE CRUNCH

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits have been assigned defenseman Jake Massie and forward Patrick Bajkov from the American Hockey League’s Syracuse Crunch. Massie and Bajkov are both on an NHL contract with the Florida Panthers.

Massie, 24, returns to Greenville after suiting for two games last season with the Swamp Rabbits and scoring his lone ECHL goal on Oct. 20, 2019 versus Atlanta. The St-Lazare, Quebec native appeared in 29 games with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds last season and totaled five points (three goals, two assists).

“Jake has good speed and is a real pro doing everything he can to improve on a daily basis,” said Swamp Rabbits Head Coach and President of Hockey Operation Andrew Lord. “He played the majority of last season in Springfield along with a few games in Greenville, so it should be an easy transition.”

Prior to his 2019-20 rookie season, Massie skated in three seasons at University of Vermont and totaled 23 points (six goals, 17 assists) in 95 games. The blueliner produced 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 44 games with the USHL’s Omaha Lancers in 2015-16. Massie signed a two-year NHL Entry Level Contract with Florida on July 8, 2019 after being initially selected by Carolina in the 6th round, 156th overall, in the 2015 NHL Draft.

Bajkov, 23, signed to a three-year NHL Entry Level Contract with Florida on Mar. 9, 2018. Last season, the forward finished fourth on the Swamp Rabbits in points (44) and posted 20 goals across 64 games. Entering his third professional season, the Nanaimo, British Columbia native debuted with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds in 2018-19, and also played 31 games with the Florida Everblades.

“Patrick produced last season in Greenville scoring 20 goals. He has good stick skills and was effective on the PP last year,” said Lord.

Prior to turning pro, Bajkov compiled 342 games across five seasons with the WHL’s Everett Silvertips and produced 288 points (112 goals, 176 assists).

The Greenville Swamp Rabbits kickoff three games in as many days tonight at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The Swamp Rabbits battle the Orlando Solar Bears in Faith & Family Night at the arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Ticket information is available online at swamprabbits.com.

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ABOUT US

Acquired by Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E) in 2020, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team have 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 proud affiliates of the NHL’s Florida Panthers and AHL’s Charlotte Checkers. Greenville is a member of the ECHL, Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League. Since the conclusion of the 2019-20 NHL Season, 678 former ECHL players have debuted in the NHL. Nine former Greenville Road Warriors/Swamp Rabbits have later made their NHL debut