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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Swamp Rabbits Shuffle Roster Prior to Homestand

December 1, 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 goaltender Jeff Malcolm has been loaned to the team by Hartford, while forward Vinny Saponari has been called up to the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals. Both moves occur as Greenville gears up for a season-long five-game homestand beginning Thursday.

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 the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters the following day, where he made one appearance. He returned to the Swamp Rabbits on November 24 and played four games with Greenville, collecting five points (5a), two penalty minutes and a +4 rating. Three of those assists came in the squad's 6-3 win at Reading last Friday.

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.

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.

Malcolm made Hartford's season-opening roster on October 9 and played three games for the Wolf Pack, posting a 1-1-0 record with a 2.38 goals-against average and .906 save percentage. He was loaned to Greenville on November 9 and made five appearances with the Swamp Rabbits, registering a 3-1-1 record with a 2.56 goals-against average and .920 save percentage. The 26-year-old was recalled by Hartford again on November 24, but did not see game-action during his latest AHL stint.

Under contract with the Wolf Pack, Malcolm spent the majority of last season with Greenville and proved to be one of the strongest goaltenders in the ECHL. In 28 appearances, he went 17-10-1 with a 2.52 goals-against average, .919 save percentage and one shutout, and was named to the 2015CCM/ECHL All-Star Team on January 21 in Orlando, Florida. Malcolm made 17 saves on 18 shots during the second period that night and notched the win in net. He also spent 11 games with Hartford last season, going 7-4-0 with a 3.18 goals-against average and .899 save percentage.

Prior to turning pro, the 6'2, 179-pound netminder played four seasons at Yale University, where he finished second among Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) goaltenders in wins (20) during his senior campaign in 2012-13. He completed his collegiate career by posting a 36-save shutout in the national championship game to backstop the Bulldogs to their first-ever Frozen Four title. Overall, Malcolm appeared in 67 games at Yale and earned a record of 36-21-4 with a 2.60 goals against average, a .907 save percentage and six shutouts.

Thirsty Thursday: The Swamp Rabbits return to SANDLAPPER Securities Rink at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Thursday to battle the Cincinnati Cyclones at 7 p.m. Thursday is Thirsty Thursday featuring $2 domestic drafts during Hockey Happy Hour from 6-8 p.m. and other concession specials all night long including $2 hot dogs, pretzels and soft drinks. In addition, limited $5 tickets are available at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena box office only. Fans can follow all of the action online via ECHL.TV or through the free Mixlr app.

Family Fridays: Take advantage of the Greenville News Family Fun Pack this Friday when the Swamp Rabbits rematch against the Cincinnati Cyclones at 7 p.m. The Greenville News Family Fun Pack features four (4) red-level tickets, four (4) hot dogs, four (4) bags of chips, four (4) fountain drinks and two (2) Swamp Rabbits' foam fingers for just $60! Get yours HERE.

Teddy Time: The Swamp Rabbits will host their sixth annual "Teddy Bear Toss" Night presented by Bon Secours St. Francis Health System on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The annual tradition encourages fans to bring stuffed animals to the game and throw them onto SANDLAPPER Securities Rink when Greenville scores its first goal. The stuffed animals are then collected and donated to Toys for Tots. Last season, more than 2,500 stuffed animals were collected and donated. In addition, the Swamp Rabbits invite local elementary school choirs to perform Christmas Carols at the game for the Sing for Santa event! Each elementary school that participates can sing the National Anthem for the start of our game and then perform Christmas Carols during the first intermission. Click here for tickets.

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 extended 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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