ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Tampa Bay Reassigns Hart, Ikonen to Greenville

Published on December 2, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


Greenville, SC - The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, today announced forwards Brian Hart and Henri Ikonen have been reassigned to the team from the AHL's Syracuse Crunch by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Hart, 22, signed a three-year, two-way NHL contract with the Lightning on June 28, 2015 and was initially loaned to Greenville on October 22. In 15 games with the Swamp Rabbits, he recorded seven points (6g, 1a) and two penalty minutes. Hart also played three games with Syracuse earlier this season, including his AHL debut on November 18 against Portland. He did not make an appearance during his latest AHL stint.

Prior to turning pro, the Cumberland, Maine native played three seasons at Harvard University from 2012-15. In 98 career games, Hart recorded 18 goals and 32 assists for 50 points. He ranked sixth on the Crimson last season with a career-best seven goals and tied for seventh in points (17).

The 6'3, 212-pound forward was selected in the second round, #53 overall, by Tampa Bay in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Ikonen (pronounced AWH-ree, EE-kah-nehn) appeared in 17 games with the Crunch this season, collecting four points (1g, 3a) and four penalty minutes. He also skated in 59 contests with Syracuse during the 2014-15 campaign, earning 13 points (5g, 8a) and 43 penalty minutes. Overall, Ikonen has recorded 19 points (6g, 13a) and 49 penalty minutes in 82 career games with the Crunch.

A native of Savonlinna, Finland, Ikonen played seven games with Team Finland at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championships in Sweden, helping the squad win the Gold Medal at the tournament.      

From 2012 to 2014, Ikonen skated in 115 major-junior contests with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), collecting 121 points (47g, 74a) and 79 penalty minutes. The 6'0, 185-pound forward set career highs for goals (25), assists (45), points (70), plus/minus (+17) and penalty minutes (49) during the 2013-14 season.

Ikonen was selected in the sixth round (154th overall) by Tampa Bay in the 2013 NHL Draft. He was signed to a three-year, two-way NHL contract with the team on April 6, 2014.

Thirsty Thursday: The Swamp Rabbits return to SANDLAPPER Securities Rink at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena tomorrow 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!

Check out the Greenville Swamp Rabbits Statistics

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