Swamp Rabbits Add Goaltender Evan Weninger

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Greenville Swamp Rabbits have agreed to terms with goaltender Evan Weninger on a Standard Player Contract, effective for the 2020–21 season. Weninger, 24, joins the Swamp Rabbits after a short stint overseas with Manglerud Star in Norway."I'm really excited, and I'm ready to get going. I've heard nothing but good things about the team, the organization and the coaching staff," Weninger said. "I can't wait to get things going and I like the group of guys that we have. There's a good chance we can make a bit of a run here."Weninger enters his second full professional season out of the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He split the season between the Wichita Thunder, the Allen Americans, and Manglerud Star last season, and began his pro career with the Florida Everblades on an amateur tryout contract before being a goaltending insurance policy during the South Carolina Stingrays' playoff run in 2018–19.In 15 appearances at the ECHL level, Weninger has a 6-5-3 record, a 2.73 goals against average and a .922 save percentage. He won his first appearance with the 'Blades on April 6, 2019, and surrendered just one goal in the victory."Evan had a great first year as a pro in Allen, Wichita and then Norway. He has shown he can give his team a chance to win on a nightly basis and also has the ability to steal games," said head coach Andrew Lord. "He isn't the biggest goalie but his quickness and lateral movement is excellent. I've heard nothing but good things about Evan, and I'm happy that he has decided to stay in North America this upcoming season."Weninger is prominently featured in the University of Nebraska-Omaha's all-time leaderboards. He finished his career with the most saves (3,260), saves per game (28.35), shutouts (8) and minutes played (6,522:35). He also ranks third in wins (48), ninth in goals against average (3.14) and third in save percentage (.905).He earned NCHC All-Rookie Team honors during his freshman year, and was named NCHC Goaltender of the Week three times in his career at UNO. He made 40 saves in a shutout win against Mankato on October 10, 2015, and became the first UNO goalie to record a shutout in his first collegiate appearance. He also scored a goal against Miami University of Ohio on January 12, 2018, and became the 10th goaltender in NCAA history to score a goal.Weninger spent his junior career with the Kindersley Klippers and put up sparkling numbers, including a career 38-16-2 record, a 2.09 GAA and a .940 save percentage across two seasons and 61 appearances. His 2.06 GAA and .942 save percentage earned him SJHL Goaltender of the Year in 2015 and a spot on Team Canada West in the 2014 World Junior A Challenge.

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