The Greenville Swamp Rabbits recently agreed to a partnership with the Florida Panthers, keeping them aligned with the nearby Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. Today, the Swamp Rabbits received some of the benefits that come along with an NHL affiliation, as two draft picks were added to the roster.
Along with several other additions (including Jacob Ingham, a Los Angeles Kings prospect), the Swamp Rabbits gained Ben Finkelstein and Karch Bachman today. Both players were originally drafted by the Panthers but became unrestricted free agents when they failed to sign entry-level contracts this summer.
Finkelstein, 23, was selected 195th in 2016 before playing four years in college. Two years for St. Lawrence University followed by another two at Boston College will lead the undersized defenseman to a professional career that starts in the ECHL.
Bachman, 23, was actually drafted a year earlier, selected 132nd in 2015. He spent four years at Miami University (Ohio), scoring 31 points in 34 games as a senior and earned NCHC Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors. He’ll be joining the Swamp Rabbits to start his pro career, but is still a name to keep an eye on as a potential AHL option down the road.
One other notable name among the Greenville additions is Adam Samuelsson, the 6’6″ son of former NHL defenseman Ulf Samuelsson, who recently joined the Panthers as an assistant coach. The 20-year-old defenseman has bounced all over the place the last few seasons, spending time at Boston College, playing for Sioux City of the USHL, and suiting up 43 times for the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL this season.