Swamp Rabbits add Zuhlsdorf

GREENVILLE, S.C. —The Greenville Swamp Rabbits have signed defenseman Ryan Zuhlsdorf to a contract for the 2020–21 season.

Out of Edina, Minnesota, Zuhlsdorf played for the University of Minnesota over the past four seasons. With Zuhlsdorf in the lineup, the Golden Gophers won the 2017 Big Ten regular-season championship, which set an NCAA record with their sixth consecutive regular-season title. He was a four-year letter winner, a two-time Big Ten All-Academic selection and the recipient of the Dr. V. George Nagobads Unsung Hero Award.Prior to his collegiate career, Zuhlsdorf enjoyed a productive career in the United States Hockey League. After being drafted by the Sioux City Musketeers, his 22 points in 56 games and +25 rating earned him USHL All-Rookie honors. Halfway through the year, he earned his first shot with the U.S. Junior Select Team, and helped Team USA win the gold medal at the 2014 World Junior A Challenge in Kindersley, Saskatchewan. He was also named to the 2015 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game held in Dubuque, Iowa.It was after that productive season that he was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.The next season, Zuhlsdorf was named captain of the Musketeers, and posted 23 points in 30 games. In the midst of that, Zuhlsdorf earned a spot on the U.S. Junior Select Team for the second time, and won the bronze medal with Team USA in the 2015 World Junior A Challenge in Whitby, Ontario.Zuhlsdorf was traded to the Dubuque Fighting Saints. With Dubuque, he proved to be a stalwart defenseman who helped the Saints earn a sixth-consecutive berth into the Clark Cup Playoffs, and make it to the Clark Cup Final for the third time in team history. At Edina High School, Zuhlsdorf was part of a powerhouse club that captured the 2014 MSHSL Class AA State Championship, and as part of the Edina Bantam program, won the Youth Hockey Hub Bantam Player of the Year in Minnesota.