Atkinson signs with Swamp Rabbits

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Los Angeles Kings and American Hockey League’s Ontario Reign, announced that defenseman Josh Atkinson has signed with the team for the 2025-26 season.

Atkinson joins the Swamp Rabbits after finishing his fourth season in Europe and third with Hungary’s Fehérvár AV19 in the ICEHL. In 44 games last season, he recorded 22 points (6g-16a) in 44 games while adding an assist in seven playoff games.

A native of St. Albert, Alberta, Atkinson earned 80 points (25g-55a) in 136 games with Fehérvár AV19 and another seven points (1g-6a) in 13 DEL games with the Bietigheim Steelers over his last four European campaigns. He last played in North America in the 2020-21 season, and brings 236 games between the AHL with the Iowa Wild and Chicago Wolves and ECHL with the Atlanta Gladiators and Allen Americans over five seasons.

Prior to turning pro, Atkinson skated four seasons of college hockey with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, earning 2016 WCHA All-Academic Team honors while racking up 48 points (8g-40a) in 144 contests. He also played two seasons with the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Lloydminster Bobcats.