The ECHL announced today that Andrew Lord, the Head Coach/General Manager of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, has been honored with the prestigious John Brophy Award, recognizing him as the ECHL’s Coach of the Year. This is the second time that he has been considered for this honor. Previously, Lord had been a runner-up for the award during his inaugural season in 2021. He now makes history as the first coach in Greenville’s professional hockey history to attain this accolade.
The John Brophy Award is bestowed annually to the ECHL coach deemed to have made the most significant contribution to their team’s success, determined through a vote by ECHL coaches, broadcasters, media relations directors, and media personnel, named in honor of John Brophy, who had secured a remarkable three ECHL titles with Hampton Roads in 1991, 1992, and 1998.
Brophy, the namesake of the award, coached for 13 seasons in the ECHL, spending 11 seasons with Hampton Roads and two with Wheeling. During this time, Brophy secured three championships and was honored with his induction into the ECHL Hall of Fame in 2009.
Coach Lord had guided the Swamp Rabbits to a 44-23-4-1 record and 93 points this season, claiming the organization’s first South Division Championship in over a decade with a second straight 40-win campaign. Additionally, the Swamp Rabbits earned their 30th win of the season in just 42 games, the fastest pace ever in Greenville professional hockey history, and won eight straight road games from November 14th to December 9th, a new franchise record. By holding the highest win percentage in the Eastern Conference prior to the Christmas break, Lord was named one of two coaches of the ECHL All-Star Team for the 2024 ECHL All-Star Classic in January, held in Savannah, GA.
He has guided the Swamp Rabbits to the Kelly Cup Playoffs every season, with their best performance being reaching the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals in his debut season.
The Swamp Rabbits have secured the 2024 South Division Championship and are now set to begin the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs. In the South Division Semifinals, they will compete against the Orlando Solar Bears with the first game of this best-of-seven series scheduled for Sunday, April 21st, with a puck drop at 3:05 p.m. EST at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
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