RUSH ADD YOUTH WITH TALENTED AMATEURS

(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush is pleased to announce the acquisition of two amateur players to aid the Rush in their Rush for the Cup this playoff season. Coming to the Black Hills for the first times in pro hockey are forward Patrick Divjak, and defenseman Reid Campbell.

Divjak, 25, spent the last four seasons playing in the NCAA with the Niagara Purple Eagles in the Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA). In his time in Lewiston, NY, Divjak saw much personal success, setting career highs in goal scoring twice, including his sophomore season when he led the team in assists and finished tied for the team lead in points. Divjak is no stranger to the mid-west, having played with the Sioux Falls Stampede for two of his seasons spent in the USHL. On top of his junior and college success, the Vienna, Austria native represented his home nation in the 2008-2009 World Junior Championships.

“Patrick had a great career at Niagara, and we’re excited to have him as a part of the Rush,” said Head Coach and GM Joe Ferras. “Patrick is a highly skilled, dynamic player, and brings lots of speed to the game along with a great shot. He is a player with a solid skill set and work ethic and will be a great pro hockey player.”

A native of Haines Junction, Yukon Territory in Canada, Campbell, 25, comes to the Rush from NCAA Division III powerhouse St. Norbert College in DePere, Wisconsin in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA). In 116 games in four seasons with the Green Knights, Campbell recorded 40 points as a defenseman (10 goals and 30 assists), and helped the Green Knights to three NCAA Division III national titles in the last four years, winning this year’s national championship, and his first two back-to-back as a former teammate with current Rush rookie Kyle Stroh back in the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

“Reid is coming off of an exceptional 4 year career as an impact player at St. Norbert College,” said Ferras of Reid Campbell. “He was an instrumental part of three championship teams in his four-year collegiate career. Although not big in stature, Reid has very good feet and quickness that will be very important as a pro. Reid is very similar in style to current Rush rookie Brett Kostolansky and if he develops like Kosto has we will have a very good player on our club.”

The Rush begins their fifth postseason in their six years of existence, all consecutive, and look to earn their second Ray Miron President’s Cup championship in franchise history. Game 1 of the first round is slated to start tomorrow at 7:05 PM against the Quad City Mallards.

Other Rush News:

Round One tickets are on sale now! Come cheer on the Rush as they take on the Quad City Mallards in the opening round of the Ray Miron President’s Cup Playoffs! Call the Rush office at 716-7825 for details.

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.

###