(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 signed veteran forward Mike O’Leary for the 2026-27 ECHL Season.

O’Leary joins fellow newcomers Cade McNelly, Blake Bennett, Trevor Janicke, and Peter Tischke, alongside returners Jake Murray, Jack Brackett, Josh Zary, Neil Shea, Ryan O’Reilly, Jake Percival, Connor Milburn, and Hudson Schandor.

O’Leary comes to the Swamp Rabbits following a career-year last season with the Tahoe Knight Monsters. The 6’2”, 200-pound forward racked up a personal best 33 points (12g-21ast) in 65 games in his first full ECHL season in Nevada, matching a career high in goals and setting a new mark in assists. He added another two appearances in the 2026 Kelly Cup Playoffs, falling in the first round to the eventual Kelly Cup runner-up Kansas City Mavericks.

“I’ve actually been talking with Coach Costello over the past few offseasons, and this year, I’m excited to work alongside him. As a veteran, it’s an advantage to choose where you want to play, and that decision comes after deliberating over many factors in a city and organization. My wife and I have appreciated our previous stops, but the challenge of playing in the South Division in addition to the quality-of-life Greenville can offer as a city really stood out to us. We’re excited to join a first-class organization in the Swamp Rabbits with elite, stable ownership in Spire,” O’Leary said of coming to the Upstate. “First and foremost, I love hockey, my teammates, and having fun…no team is successful without enjoying the journey, so I try to bring that fun to the rink, as that’s when I know I’m at my best. On the ice, I try my best to play the right way. I may not be the flashiest player, but I try to be whatever the team needs me to be on any given night, playing a variety of roles over the course of a season. That versatility has led me in the right direction as long as I’ve played.

“On the team front, playoffs are non-negotiable. It should go without saying for anyone signing with us here. Playoffs are the bar, but once you get in, you never know what can happen, so that’s the goal and expectation,” O’Leary concluded. “Speaking for me, my goal is to come in and be a leader. I want to help our younger guys grow as people and players. No player knows how much longer their careers will last, regardless of how long you’ve been playing, so I want to enjoy the time I have still playing and have fun, bringing a great attitude into the rink every day I get to wear a Swamp Rabbits sweater. My wife and I can’t wait to meet everyone in Greenville and get started in the next few months.”

“Mike is a massive addition to our lineup. I’m excited to get to work with him after getting to know him over the last few offseasons,” Chad Costello, Head Coach/GM of the Swamp Rabbits said of his veteran signing. “First and foremost, Mike is a leader. He’s played nearly a decade, has almost 200 AHL games to his name, has played top European level hockey, and comes with a wealth of experience. His versatility is his best asset: he’s a big body and can play just about any role that’s needed, which is why he had the career year he enjoyed in Tahoe last season. I expect him to be an impact in our room on a daily basis, and really set a tone for everyone right off the hop in camp. It’s not every day you can sign and work with a player of Mike’s track record, and I’m glad he’s on our side in this division this season.”

From Halifax, NS, O’Leary, 28, enters his seventh season of professional hockey, of which he’s played 292 career games with 33 goals, 58 assists, and 91 points. More than half of his experience comes in the AHL ranks, playing the vast majority of that time with the Hartford Wolf Pack and also making stops with the Iowa Wild and Milwaukee Admirals, earning 44 points in 188 contests. Previous to his season in Tahoe, O’Leary skated briefly with the Florida Everblades and parts of two seasons with Ilves in Liiga, the top league in Finland, earning a bronze medal in 2025. Before turning professional, O’Leary played four NCAA seasons at Notre Dame, winning two Big Ten Championships and helping the Fighting Irish to the 2018 Frozen Four, and skated one USHL season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints, leading the team to a runner-up finish in the Clark Cup Finals in 2016.

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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.