JUSTIN FARYNA RETURNS HOME TO THE RUSH

(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush announced today that long-time Rush forward Justin Faryna has made his return to the Black Hills to play for the Rush in the second half of the 2018-19 ECHL season.  He will make his season debut tomorrow night against the Tulsa Oilers and will wear his familiar #18, with Tyler Poulsen switching to #14.

Faryna comes back to the Rush having last skated with the team in the 2014-15 ECHL season, the team’s first in the “Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League”.  The 6’0”, 195-pound forward spent the last three years in the EIHL in Europe playing for the Dundee Stars for a pair of seasons and the Cardiff Devils last year and at the start of this year.  In his first year with Dundee, Faryna exploded for a career year with then-personal bests in every category, notching 23 goals, 31 assists, and 54 points in 50 games, while also racking up 151 PIM.  He continued his success with Dundee the next season, adding another 41 points in 43 games (20g-20ast) before heading to Cardiff, where he added another 33 points in 50 games behind a career-high 25 goals.  In addition to his career-high goal total last year, Faryna helped lead the Devils to Ehrhardt Conference Championship, EIHL Championship, and EIHL Playoff Championship last year, marking his first titles as a professional hockey player.  In total in his three-plus seasons in Europe, he amassed 70 goals, 59 assists, and 129 points in 152 games.

“I cannot express enough how excited I am to have Justin back in a Rush uniform! ‘Farns’ always stands out as one of the best teammates I’ve ever had in my career, and his energy and veteran standing will immensely help my young locker room,” Rush Head Coach Daniel Tetrault said of Faryna’s return.  “Justin plays a complete game.  He hits, he leads, he kills penalties, and he is a heart and soul player.  He’s the kind of player that you don’t have to worry about in your locker room because you’ll always get 100% out of him.  Farns leads by example, and heading into a crucial second half of the season, we’re going to rely on that leadership as we make a run to the postseason.”

A native of Calgary, Alberta, Faryna, now a 30 year-old seventh year professional, played his first three seasons pro with the Rush, starting in the 2012-13 CHL Season.  In his three years in the Black Hills, Faryna suited up in 148 games, earning 24 goals, 20 assists, and 44 points with 277 PIM.  Prior to playing professionally, Faryna played three years in the NCAA-III ranks with the University of Wisconsin-Superior, amassing totals of 29 goals, 18 assists, and 47 points in 79 games, serving as Captain in his final season.

The Rush continue their series against the Oilers this weekend back in Rapid City, marking their first home games of 2019.  Puck drop for game one on Friday, January 11th is slated for 7:05 p.m. MST at Premier Home Mortgage Ice in Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

######