The Greenville Swamp Rabbits have re-signed defenseman Dustin Geregach for the 2025–26 ECHL season. After making his pro debut late last year, the 25-year-old is set to begin his first full season in Greenville (Swamp Rabbits, 2025a).
Career Snapshot: Dustin Geregach
Geregach developed through the NCAA ranks atc, where he showed steady offensive growth from the blue line across four seasons. His senior year in 2024–25 was his most productive, notching seven goals and 21 points in 35 games. After turning pro late that season, he joined the Greenville Swamp Rabbits and made an immediate impact, contributing two goals and 11 assists in just 18 games. Prior to college, he played junior hockey with the Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL), where he recorded 36 points over two seasons, including playoff experience. With a potent blend of collegiate experience and promising ECHL production, Geregach now enters his first full professional season looking to build on that momentum.
Eight Players Received Qualifying Offers
Alongside Geregach’s signing, Greenville announced that qualifying offers were issued to eight players ahead of the July 7 deadline (Swamp Rabbits, 2025b):
In addition to bringing back Dustin Geregach, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits issued qualifying offers to eight players ahead of the July 7 deadline. A qualifying offer allows a team to retain a player’s ECHL rights, even if that player signs elsewhere for the upcoming season. This is particularly useful for players heading overseas, as it ensures the ECHL team holds their rights should they return to North America.
Goaltender: Pierce Charleson
Defensemen: Jake Murray, Joe Leahy
Forwards: Jack Brackett, Stuart Rolofs, Casey Dornbach, Ben Freeman, Arvid Caderoth
Goaltender Pierce Charleson, who wrapped up his collegiate career at Niagara with a .921 save percentage, made a late-season debut with Greenville and returns for his first full pro year. On the blue line, Jake Murray, acquired from the Bloomington Bison to complete a March 2025 trade, is coming off a 72-game season where he recorded 34 points. Joe Leahy, who split time between Greenville and HC Vítkovice last season, will return to Czechia in 2025–26 but was still qualified.
Among the forwards qualified are:
- Jack Brackett, who joined Greenville after his collegiate career at RPI and posted seven points in 15 ECHL games,
- Stuart Rolofs, a steady contributor with 23 points in 62 games,
- Casey Dornbach, a versatile center/wing who notched 26 points across stints with Greenville, Toledo, and Finland’s Jukurit,
- Ben Freeman, a four-year Swamp Rabbit and former captain now signed overseas with Frederikshavn in Denmark,
- and Arvid Caderoth, a Michigan Tech alum who split time between Greenville and Denmark last season and is heading to Sweden’s Vimmerby HC for 2025–26.
This qualifying group gives Greenville the rights to a solid blend of experience and developing talent heading into the fall.
Key Dates to Know
- July 22 – Qualifying offers expire
- August 8 – If a restricted free agent still hasn’t signed, they become unrestricted
Looking Ahead
With Dustin Geregach re-signed and eight players issued qualifying offers—including several with overseas commitments—the Greenville Swamp Rabbits are shaping a roster with flexibility and depth heading into the 2025–26 season.
The Swamp Rabbits kick things off on Friday, October 17, when they host the Utah Grizzlies at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Puck drops at 7:05 PM EDT as Greenville looks to start strong in front of their home crowd.
SOURCES:
Swamp Rabbits. (2025a, July 8). Dustin Geregach returns for first full professional season.
Swamp Rabbits. (2025b, July 8). Swamp Rabbits issue eight qualifying offers.
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