(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 third year forward Chaz Smedsrud for the 2026-27 ECHL Season.

Smedsrud joins fellow newcomers Cade McNelly, Blake Bennett, Trevor Janicke, Peter Tischke, Mike O’Leary and Colton Young. Alongside him are returners Jake Murray, Jack Brackett, Josh Zary, Neil Shea, Ryan O’Reilly, Jake Percival, Connor Milburn, Hudson Schandor, and Joe Prouty.

Smedsrud comes to the Swamp Rabbits following his second professional season, spent entirely with the Rapid City Rush. The 6’2”, 195-pound forward was the only “iron man” for the Rush, playing all 72 games while posting seven goals, 21 assists, and 28 points, his second of as many full professional seasons with 20 or more assists. He played his 100^th career professional game in a 4-1 win on December 5^th at Tahoe.

Smedsrud reunites with Head Coach/GM Chad Costello, who originally signed him with the Allen Americans at the end of the 2023-24 ECHL Season. He later rejoined him in the Black Hills in the 2024-25 campaign when Costello served in the interim as Associate Coach of the Rush. Smedsrud also teams up again with Blake Bennett and Trevor Janicke on the ice.

“Everything I’ve heard about the Greenville organization is first class. Being honest, a lot of my desire to come to Greenville comes down to Coach Costello. I played with him for a bit in Allen as a first-time pro right out of college and found my way back to him in Rapid City. I’m pumped to play for him again,” Smedsrud said of coming to the Upstate. “Costy allows his players to play freely and use their talent for the better of the team. He’s clear on roles and because of all of that can get the best out of his players, including myself. I was able to use those lessons last season and play every game with great performance on the ice and the proper recovery and self-care off it.

“I pride myself on being a 200-foot player. I like to play defensively, but I like to make plays too. I can score, I can pass, and I use all of that to play the right way,” Smedsrud continued. “Heading into my third season, I’ve come to learn its hard to win games, which is why it feels so great when you do. In order to do that, we need to  bring a hard work ethic to the rink and utilize the veteran presence and leadership we have on our team, which will hopefully let us roll into the playoffs and beyond.”

“I couldn’t be happier to bring Smeds back on our team. I’ve had the privilege of knowing him and his family for quite some time, and I can tell you we’re not only getting a great hockey player, but an outstanding human being. This is a great signing for our organization,” Costello remarked of his reunion with Smedsrud. “It sounds cliché, but Chaz can do it all. Power play, penalty kill, up the lineup, down the lineup, and all forward positions: his versatility is his greatest strength. Add in his size and ability to skate with it, and it makes him a dangerous ‘Swiss Army Knife’ for our forwards. Coming into year three, I expect Chaz to take it to the next level and turn his learning and growth into execution during a season with high expectations.”

Hailing from Luverne, MN, Smedsrud, 28, enters his third full professional season, all taking place in the ECHL ranks, bringing career totals of 22 goals, 57 assists, and 79 points in 152 contests. Before heading to the pro level, he skated four seasons of NCAA hockey with Union College, earning 62 points (29g-33ast) in 141 games. Smedsrud preceded his college career with three junior seasons: two in the SJHL with the Notre Dame Hounds, and one in the USHL with the Madison Capitols.

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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.