(GREENVILLE, S.C.) – 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 the team has re-signed rookie forward Jake Percival ahead of the 2026-27 Season.

Percival, the 10^th player announced this offseason, joins fellow returners Jake Murray, Jack Brackett, Josh Zary, Neil Shea, and Ryan O’Reilly, and newcomers Cade McNelly, Blake Bennett, Trevor Janicke, and Peter Tischke.

Percival returns to the Swamp Rabbits after turning professional with the team towards the end of the 2025-26 campaign. The 5’10”, 180-pound forward factored in six games for the Swamp Rabbits, making his pro debut on April 9^th vs Bloomington and scoring his first professional goal two nights later, tying the game with 72 seconds left in regulation to force an eventual shootout in the rematch. Percival’s ascension to the professional ranks followed the conclusion of his senior NCAA campaign with UConn, splitting 16 points evenly between eight goals and eight assists in 38 games. He helped lead the Huskies to their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance, going +1 in a 2-1 first round defeat to #3 National Seed Michigan State.

“The atmosphere did it for me. The fans, the coaches and staff, my teammates…the culture is there. Everyone involved made me feel comfortable as I acclimated to the pro game. Simply put, it feels like home. This is a place I can see myself playing in for a very long time,” Percival said of his return to Greenville. “There were lots of emotions to sort out in joining the Swamp Rabbits: my college career ended sooner than I expected in a close playoff loss, but shortly after I got a text from Costi and another from [Hudson] Schandor, so it felt very right for Greenville to be the next stage on my path.

“Those six games were really important for me, not just to start my career and see what pro hockey was like, but to also get a sense for the league. You have to remember, I played in the exact same place for the last four years, so going from being fully aware of what to expect versus something I’d never experienced before was quite the change,” Percival added. “My main goal turning pro was proving that I belonged in this league and could make a difference. Even though my points might not have reflected my play, I wanted to make plays and be an asset to this team. I want to bring a winning mindset and a work ethic that isn’t matched. I will outwork our opponents every night. We expect playoffs, our fans expect playoffs, and it comes if we bring a winning mentality and a high compete level. I’m excited about rejoining this team and getting started.”

“I’m really excited to see Jake back in a Swamp Rabbits jersey. He came ready from the moment the puck dropped on his professional career, and I liked what I saw despite his time here being brief,” Chad Costello, Head Coach/GM of the Swamp Rabbits said of bringing back Percival. “Being ready at all times is a great asset, and it speaks to the compete Jake brought and will continue to bring to this team. His speed was very effective, his ability to create offense near the net was consistent, and his work ethic will continue to be his x-factor as he grows into the pro ranks. He’s a brilliant young addition to this team and I’m happy we get a full 72-game slate with Jake starting in October.” 

From Avon, CT, Percival, 24, completed his UConn career with 30 goals and 61 points in 147 games. In the 2024-25 campaign, he was a teammate of Hudson Schandor and helped the team to their first-ever NCAA Tournament behind a career-high 19 points (9g-10ast) in 39 games. The team finished in the Regional Final round, suffering a heartbreaking loss in overtime to Penn State. Before going to college, Percival played one USHL season with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, earning 39 points (15g-24ast) in 59 games.

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About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …
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 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.