HARTIGAN HONORED AS GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

(GLENDALE, AZ) – The Rapid City Rush continue their record season with another stellar player recognition. On Monday afternoon, the Central Hockey League announced that Rush rookie goaltender Keaton Hartigan has been awarded the Oakley/CHL Goaltender of the Week award for the week ending on January 18th. Keaton will receive a gift from Oakley for his accomplishment.

Hartigan’s recognition comes after a weekend which saw him earn the victory in both starts against the Rush archrivals, the Denver Cutthroats. In game one of the three game set, Hartigan stopped 27 shots en route to a 4-1 Rush win over the Cutthroats. Saturday gave Hartigan another test in game two, as he went the distance earning a hard-fought shootout win over Denver, stopping all four shooters to help the Rush hang on for a 3-2 win. On top of his stellar play in the extra sessions, he managed to turn away 34 shots in the game. Hartigan has yet to allow a shootout goal this season, stopping eight shooters in two shootout appearances. He will get the starting nod for the sixth consecutive game, closing out the three game series against the Cutthroats tonight.

“This is a great honor for Keaton, not only Winning%20Goaltender of the Week, but also earning two big wins against Denver, one of our biggest rivals, this weekend.” said Head Coach and GM Joe Ferras. “Keaton was one of the main reasons the Rush won both games this past weekend, especially considering he’s been playing his first back to back string of games this season, as well as a professional. To have not been scored on in a shootout in two appearances, stopping all eight shooters he’s faced is a huge boost to our team, as he has successfully secured that crucial second point. In order to win at this level in the Central Hockey League, you need two goaltenders that can get the job done, and Keaton gives us exactly that. The team is extremely proud of his accomplishment and what he has done for this team.”

“I feel very humbled to win the award,” said Hartigan of his first professional award. “I am extremely grateful to play in front of a great team and a great coaching staff as well. I definitely feel privileged and blessed to win the award.” When asked what it has been like taking over for injured Rush goaltender Tim Boron, Keaton added “Obviously you have to play your role, whether it be as the starter or the backup, but at the end of the day it’s all about getting those two points every night, and it feels great being able to help the team win.”

Hailing from Kitchener, Ontario, the rookie goaltender recently completed a five-year CIS career at the University of Waterloo before turning pro. In 93 games with the Warriors, Hartigan posted a 3.08 GAA and .905 SV%. He also has 11 wins in 21 playoff appearances with a 2.6 GAA and .927 SV%. His best season at Waterloo came in 2009-10, when he won the OUA goaltender of the year award, was named to the OUA first all-star steam, and was named a second-team CIS all-Canadian. In his last season with the Warriors, Hartigan backstopped his club to the OUA championship game with a 7-3 record, 2.6 GAA and .932 SV%. As a professional, he has appeared in 10 games for the Rush with 9 starts, posting a 6-4-0 record, a 2.50 GAA and a .911 SV%. Hartigan becomes the second Rush goaltender to be recognized by the CHL as the Goaltender of the Week, with Tim Boron%20Winning the award in just the second week of the season.

Other Rush News:

Season tickets for the 2013-14 season are available now by calling the Rush office at 716-7825.

The Rush’s 6th annual “Pink at the Rink” game, sponsored by Dave Davis Agency, is set for Friday, January 24th, as the Rush take on the Wichita Thunder. The team will be wearing specialty pink jerseys to be auctioned off at the conclusion of the game. All proceeds will go to the Rush Foundation, with a portion of the proceeds going to Rapid City Regional Health. If the team receives $10,000 in donations that night, the Rush players will get their heads shaved in an event sponsored by Great Clips on Monday, January 27th.

Don’t forget to join Mark Binetti, “Voice of the Rush”, and Head Coach/GM Joe Ferras for “The Rush Hour with Coach Ferras”, presented by Miller Lite. The show returns to the air next year on Monday, January13th, and will be held at 6 PM at Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Bar. The show is broadcast on 100.3 The FOX, the official radio home of your Rapid City Rush.

Stay informed on Rush happenings through the official Rapid City Rush team website, www.RapidCityRush.com, and the Rapid City Rush mobile app, available on iTunes and Google Play.

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