The Newfoundland Growlers are getting the band back together. After bringing back several familiar faces from past years like Zach O’Brien, James Melindy and Isaac Johnson, the team continued that trend at the end of December by announcing the re-signing of defenceman Brennan Kapcheck.

Originally from Mount Prospect, Illinois, the 27-year-old blueliner spent the start of this season in Slovakia with HKM Zvolen. He played in 10 games for that club before returning to North America for a holiday break, during which he started to look for other opportunities. His first and only phone call was to the Growlers.

“I missed it,” said Kapcheck shortly after his return to the island. “I missed the guys. I missed the atmosphere around here – it’s just a great atmosphere.”

Kapcheck signed a two-year American Hockey League contract with Toronto in 2021 and spent most of that contract with the Growlers in the ECHL. He became a fan favorite for his offensive prowess on the blue line as well as his complete fearlessness to square off with some of the toughest players in the ECHL despite only weighing in at 5’9 and 160 pounds. Over the course of his first tenure with the team, he played 81 games and put up 46 points. He also dressed for 31 playoff games and picked up another 14 points in those contests.

Kapcheck noted that the fans here in St. John’s were a huge motivating factor in his decision to return to Newfoundland with his wife and three cats in tow.

“I’ve had plenty of fans reach out on social media to say they’re excited I came back, and I really appreciate it,” said Kapcheck. “I feel at home.”

Since returning, Kapcheck has played in 11 games and picked up 5 assists. He will look to add to that total this weekend at home when the Newfoundland Growlers play three games against the Indy Fuel. It will be the first time in franchise history the Growlers and Fuel square off at the Mary Brown’s Centre.