BREAKING: Kings extend affiliation agreement with ECHL’s Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Today, the Kings made an announcement regarding their affiliation with the ECHL’s Greenville Swamp Rabbits, extending the agreement through the 2025-26 season. This partnership, established since 2021, has seen Kings players, under NHL and AHL contracts, competing in South Carolina since 2020.
While the immediate benefits of an ECHL affiliation may not always be apparent, it holds significance for NHL clubs. For the Kings, goaltender Jacob Ingham serves as a prime example. Despite early setbacks due to injuries during his entry-level contract years, Ingham showcased his talent after signing an AHL contract with Ontario.
Starting his season in Greenville, he played a pivotal role in the team’s success, earning a 17-10-4 record with impressive statistics. His performance led to an NHL contract extension through 2023-24, securing his future within the organization.
Ingham’s journey underscores the importance of ECHL affiliations in providing opportunities for player development, especially for prospects like Erik Portillo. With limited roster spots in the NHL and AHL, affiliations like this allow talented players to gain valuable playing time. Moreover, the ECHL has evolved into a robust development league, attracting NHL-contracted and potential AHL players seeking significant ice time.
This shift reflects the league’s growing reputation for fostering skill and speed, evident in the success of players who have transitioned from the ECHL to the NHL, as seen with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Overall, the extension of the affiliation with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits signifies a continued commitment to player development within the Kings organization.
LA Kings Director of Player Development, Glen Murray
The LA Kings are pleased to declare the continuation of our partnership with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL for the upcoming two seasons. We commend Head Coach & General Manager Andrew Lord and his team for their exceptional efforts in nurturing our prospects this past season. We anticipate witnessing further growth and progress in the years ahead.
Greenville Head Coach Andrew Lord
We’re thrilled to prolong what has been incredibly successful for us. We’re appreciative of the Los Angeles Kings for extending our partnership. Since we first joined forces, the communication from top to bottom regarding hockey, players, and overall organizational success has been unparalleled.
This is crucial in today’s game, as it contributes significantly to both winning and fostering talent effectively. Our affiliation has facilitated the growth and advancement of our staff, propelling them to the next stages of their careers, while also affording players the chance to challenge themselves professionally as they pursue their on-ice aspirations.
I extend my gratitude to Rob Blake, Nelson Emerson, Rich Seeley, and both the Kings and Reign organizations for their professionalism and dedication to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, contributing to the ongoing excellence of our sport.
From the Greenville official release –
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, winners of the 2024 South Division title, announced their continued partnership with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and AHL’s Ontario Reign. This collaboration, which started as a working relationship in 2021-22 and became official in the 2022-23 ECHL Season, will extend for another two seasons until the 2025-26 season.
Since joining forces in 2022-23, the Swamp Rabbits have facilitated the advancement of more than twelve players to the Ontario Reign, the AHL affiliate. Two of these players were recognized as ECHL All-Stars, including goaltender Ryan Bednard in the recent season. Moreover, Swamp Rabbits’ goaltender Jacob Ingham secured his second NHL contract this year, signing in March.
Over the past two seasons, the Swamp Rabbits, Reign, and Kings have all made it to their respective league playoffs, making them one of only four NHL affiliation systems achieving such consistent success.
Looking ahead to the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs, the Swamp Rabbits will compete against the Orlando Solar Bears in the South Division Semifinals. The series will kick off with Game 1 on April 21st at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, starting at 3:05 p.m. EST.
Meanwhile, the Kings have a day off today and will resume practice tomorrow. It was a challenging night yesterday for those hoping the Kings would secure third place in the Pacific Division. More updates will follow tomorrow as the playoff scenario becomes clearer with games taking place elsewhere tonight.