Photo Courtesy of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits
As of Monday, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits have signed a total of four players as they prepare for the 2025-26 season under new head coach and general manager Chad Costello.
Liam Finlay and Ryan O’Reilly are the latest to ink ECHL contracts with the club, with both signing last week.
The two forwards, both newcomers, join returning defensemen Dustin Geregach and Tristan De Jong, who both signed earlier this month.
Finlay comes to Greenville after completing his fifth professional season with the EIHL’s Glasgow Clan. He earned 13 goals and 39 points in 53 games and later factored in two post-season games for the Scottish club.
Finlay is reunited with Costello, with the two previously crossing paths for a pair of seasons with the Allen Americans.
Under Costello’s guidance as a rookie in the 2022-23 campaign, Finlay ignited the ECHL with 33 goals and 70 points in 54 games. His 33 goals were third-best amongst first year players and eighth in the entire league. His 70 points ranked fourth on the rookie leaderboard.
For his efforts, Finlay represented the Western Conference in the 2023 ECHL All-Star Classic and was selected as a member of the 2023 ECHL All-Rookie Team.
“I’m pumped to join the Swamp Rabbits. I’ve talked to many former players who have played in Greenville, and everyone has raved about the lifestyle and the city. Another major factor in signing was the familiarity with Coach Costello and Tony Deynzer, our equipment manager. We’ve had a phenomenal relationship dating back to our Allen years, and I’m super excited that we can reunite and that Coach has this opportunity to lead us.”
At 5-foot-7, 180-pounds, Finlay isn’t the biggest guy on the ice, but he brings speed and smarts for a high-flying style that should get Swamp Rabbits fans excited.
“I’ve had the privilege to play this game in many different countries with different approaches, but I always felt my game translated better in North America than anywhere else,” Finlay said. “That, combined with super high expectations, make this a season I’m very much looking forward to.”
Costello also believes Finlay’s style of play will be refreshing to fans.
“We are extremely excited as a staff signing Liam Finlay,” he stated. “’Fins’ is one of those offensive players that’s so exciting to watch that anytime he touches the puck, fans will jump out of their seats."
From Kelowna, British Columbia, the 28-year-old Finlay enters his third ECHL season and sixth overall as a professional.
He begins the 2025-26 season with 215 career games across Europe (Scotland, Finland, Slovakia, Germany, and Sweden) and the ECHL. He’s totaled 78 goals, 112 assists, and 190 points.
Prior to turning professional, Finlay played four seasons of NCAA hockey with the University of Denver, earning 98 points in 158 games while claiming the 2017 National Championship. He also split time in the BCHL between the Vernon Vipers and Penticton Vees over three campaigns, earning All-Rookie team honors in 2015.
O’Reilly comes to the Upstate after suiting up for his first professional action with the Orlando Solar Bears at the end of last season.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound forward turned professional last season after completing his fifth and final NCAA season with Providence College, earning six goals and nine points in 26 contests with a finish in the NCAA Tournament.
O’Reilly made his professional debut on Apr. 2 at Atlanta against the Gladiators, earning his first professional goal in the last game of the regular season on Apr. 13 at Jacksonville.
After appearing in six regular-season games, O’Reilly then factored in seven games in the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs, making it to the South Division Finals.
Swamp Rabbits fans can expect a hard-nosed style from O’Reilly.
“I learned so much last year coming out of Providence and getting to the second round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs, but talking with Coach Costello about this opportunity and how he’s constructing this team, it was a no-brainer for me to come to Greenville,” O’Reilly explained of his acquisition. “I’m a hard-nosed player that plays 200-feet and makes sure to take care of my own end before going on offense. I have a scoring touch around the net front, will stick up for my teammates, but overall, I try to be a balanced power forward.”
Costello calls O’Reilly a trustworthy, 200-foot player who’s comfortable in all situations.
“A player with his size who can also skate is a huge asset in this league,” Costello said. “Ryan is very reliable on the defensive side of the puck, and, at the same time, his shot will be a threat to score a lot of goals this season. He is a hardnosed player who doesn't shy away from contact, and his effort every game will make him very well liked both in the locker room and with the fans.”
A native of Southlake, Texas, the 25-year-old O’Reilly played an additional four college seasons with the Arizona State Sun Devils. He completed his college career with 64 points, evenly split between 32 goals and assists, in 153 games.
Prior to that, O’Reilly played four USHL seasons with the Madison Capitols, Fargo Force, and Green Bay Gamblers. He finished with 98 points in 152 games.
In 2018, he garnered USHL All-Rookie Second Team recognition and was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the fourth round (98th overall) of the NHL Draft that year.