TOSTI: CARTER SANDLAK JOINS SWAMP RABBITS ROSTER 

Carter Sandlak Joins Swamp Rabbits Roster

Greenville adds fourth-year forward with more than 50 games of AHL experienceBY: Brian Tosti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Greenville, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, have come to terms with forward, Carter Sandlak for the 2017-18 season. The winger brings AHL experience to the roster, logging 54 games with the Charlotte Checkers in his first two professional seasons.

Sandlak, 24, spent last season with the Toledo Walleye suiting up for 41 games with the regular season champs. The 6-foot-2, 205 pound forward netted five goals and added two assists for the Walleye, but missed nearly two months of the season due to injury. Sandlak has battled the Swamp Rabbits six times during his career, including one contest last year.

“Carter has great hockey sense and is a tough, hard-nosed player who also brings experience at the next level,” said Head Coach Brian Gratz. “Over the last two seasons, we have seen him play with Toledo and Florida and felt he would be a good addition to our team. We’re excited to welcome him to Greenville and have him contribute to our team achieving its goals, while we help him reach his.”

During his first two pro seasons, Sandlak played his games within the Carolina Hurricanes system. The London, Ontario native netted two goals and grabbed three helpers in the AHL with the Checkers and was a mainstay in Charlotte as a rookie. In 29 ECHL games with the Florida Everblades from 2014 to 2016, Sandlak earned 15 points (5G, 10A). He also set a career best with the Everblades, collecting three points (1G, 2A) against the Wheeling Nailers in a 5-2 comeback win. In total, Sandlak has played 70 ECHL games, earning 22 points (10G, 12A) and logging 78 PIMS.

“Last year, the season didn’t go the way I wanted it to, but I think that adversity made me grow as a player and as a person,” said Sandlak “I’ve heard nothing but good things about the Swamp Rabbits organization. (Greenville) is a great place to play and the staff is great, so it was a no brainer for me.”

Before turning pro, Sandlak spent five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He played a majority of his career with the Belleville Bulls but also held roster spots with the Guelph Storm and Plymouth Whalers. Sandlak ended his OHL tenure with 272 games, 122 points (59G, 63A), and 375 PIMS.

Carter also comes from a hockey family as his father, Jim Sandlak, played more than 500 NHL contests with the Vancouver Canucks and Hartford Whalers. Sandlak becomes the eighth skater signed by the Swamp Rabbits this offseason (Nick Betz, Ricky DeRosa, Sean Flanagan, Chad Duchesne, Austin McKay, Joe Houk, and Evan Jasper).

The Swamp Rabbits open the season against the Wheeling Nailers on Oct. 13, 2017. The puck will drop for the Swamp Rabbits’ Opening Weekend at 7 p.m. EST at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Hockey Demo Days: Join the Greenville Swamp Rabbits for their Hockey Demo Day. Head to Dicks Sporting Goods on Woodruff Road on Sunday, July 30 from noon to 4 p.m. for an afternoon of fun! There will be free hockey instruction in the Dew Street Hockey Zone, corn hole, music, food, giveaways and much more. Call Charlie with the Swamp Rabbits at (864) 250-4937 for more information.

Get Social: Follow the Swamp Rabbits and get behind-the-scenes coverage like never before on the team’s official Facebook and Twitter pages. Download the Swamp Rabbits app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for up to date information right in the palm of your hand.

Contact a Swamp Rabbits Account Executive at 864-674-PUCK (7825) for information on 2017-18 season tickets and to secure your seats today! Get the latest Swamp Rabbits gear by visiting the “Hop Shop” online at SwampRabbits.com/shop to browse the full collection of fan wear and novelties!

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