Saponari Returns from AHL Lake Erie
November 24, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release
Greenville, S.C. - The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, today announced forward Vinny Saponari has been returned from the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters. He is expected to be in the lineup tomorrow night against Norfolk.
Saponari, 25, began the season with the AHL's Portland Pirates and recorded four points (1g, 3a), six penalty minutes and a +4 rating in six contests. He signed with Greenville on November 19, but was loaned to Lake Erie the following day, where he made one appearance.
A native of Powder Springs, Georgia, Saponari is coming off a breakout 2014-15 season with Greenville, in which he led the club with 69 points and tied for 17th in overall league scoring. Saponari also notched a team-high 51 assists (tied for fifth in the ECHL) and added five power-play goals. Those totals, along with his 18 goals and +17 rating, all served as career-bests. In addition, Saponari played three games with Hartford last season and registered one assist.
His most notable performances with Greenville came on December 5, 2014, and February 15, 2015. The first of which was a four-point (4a) effort in his 100th professional game against Orlando, while the latter was another four-point outing (4a) on his 25th birthday against Atlanta.
Saponari spent the 2013-14 campaign with the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals and collected 33 points (15g, 18a), 14 penalty minutes and a +11 rating in 58 games. He also made 14 appearances with the Cincinnati Cyclones and notched 11 points (1g, 10a), four penalty minutes and a +3 rating. Saponari made his professional debut near the end of the 2012-13 campaign with the AHL's St. John's IceCaps and produced two points (1g, 1a) in seven games.
Prior to turning pro, the 6'1, 195-pound forward split his collegiate career between Boston University (2008-2010) and Northeastern University (2011-13). During his freshman season at Boston in 2008-09, he earned 17 points (8g, 9a) and 44 penalty minutes, and helped capture the 2009 NCAA Championship. He also played one season of junior hockey in the United States Hockey League (USHL) for the Dubuque Fighting Saints in 2010-11. In 56 regular-season games, he tallied 64 points (18g, 46a) and a +17 rating, with an additional nine points (5g, 4a) in 11 playoff contests, to help Dubuque win the 2011 Clark Cup Championship.
Saponari was selected in the fourth round (#94 overall) by his hometown team, the Atlanta Thrashers, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
Next Time Out: The Swamp Rabbits return to action on Wednesday with a 7:15 p.m. puck drop against the Norfolk Admirals in Norfolk, Virginia. Fans can follow all of the action online via ECHL.TV or through the free Mixlr app. The Palmetto Restaurant and Ale House, located at 103 E. Beacon Drive in Greenville, will also be hosting a watch party with live coverage all night long.
Get Social: Follow the Swamp Rabbits all season long and get behind-the-scenes coverage like never before on the team's official Facebook and Twitter pages.
Trolley On Over: Greenville's downtown trolley route has been altered to include a stop at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The expanded route will operate for all Swamp Rabbits' games taking place Thursdays through Sundays during normal trolley service hours.
Call 864-674-7825 or visit SwampRabbits.com for tickets. Bring a group of 15 or more out to a game and receive great discounts, merchandise offers and hospitality opportunities! Call a Swamp Rabbits Account Executive for more information! Get the latest Swamp Rabbits gear at the "Hop Shop" team store or visit the "Hop Shop" online at SwampRabbits.com/shop to browse the full collection of fan wear and novelties!
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