Pelech returning to Greenville

GREENVILLE, S.C. —The Greenville Swamp Rabbits have re-signed forward Michael Pelech for the 2019–20 season.

Pelech, 29, will enter his 11th professional season, and his second with the Swamp Rabbits, after being acquired in a trade with the Utah Grizzlies on July 25, 2018. He served as team captain and had a banner year by scoring a career-high 65 points. Pelech led the Swamp Rabbits in assists (47), points (65), shorthanded goals (2), power-play assists (10) and shorthanded assists (3), and finished third in goals (18). He was ninth in the league in points, and his assist total was good for fourth in the league. He was also the only Swamp Rabbits player to play in all 72 games.

Pelech ranks ninth in ECHL history with 642 games played, tied for 21st with 335 assists and tied for 31st with 488 points.

A 2009 sixth-round selection of the Los Angeles Kings, Pelech has played for eight ECHL teams and seven AHL teams. He is part of a strong hockey family, being the nephew of longtime hockey executive Mike Gillis, and the brother of longtime pro Matt Pelech, and current New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech.