JARED BROWN RETURNS FOR THIRD SEASON

(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush are pleased to announce their seventh player signing for the upcoming 2014-15 season. Head Coach and GM Joe Ferras has re-signed star forward Jared Brown, coming to the Black Hills for a third consecutive season.

“We’re very excited to have Jared back for his third season with the Rush,” said Head Coach and GM of the Rush Joe Ferras. “Brownie has been a point per game player for us the last 2 seasons despite suffering two freak injuries. He is an elite skater who is very strong on the puck and he is a player that wants to make an impact and make things happen for our hockey club.”

“I’m excited to be back with the organization, and excited to get back to Rapid City for a third year,” said Brown on his return to Rapid City. “My excitement comes not only from the realization that I’ll be playing in front of the best fans in the CHL once again, but also in playing with the players that are already slated to return. We have a great thing going with this team and I’m honored to be a part of it again.”

Despite missing 17 games due to a broken jaw, Brown pieced together an outstanding campaign, finishing fourth on the Rush roster in both goals scored (20) and points (42), while finishing tied for 10th in the CHL in +/- with a +18 rating. His best performance came at the end of the regular season, where he finished with a 14-point streak and a 6-game goal streak to close out the season. In his 14-game tear, Brown recorded 16 points: an even split of 8 goals and 8 assists. On top of all of his statistical achievements, Brown became the 23rd player in team history to play 100 games in a Rush uniform, playing his 100th game on March 27th on the road against the Brampton Beast, where he scored a goal in the 2-1 loss.

“This upcoming season, I’d like to put up more points and become even more of a major focal point on the offense, but most importantly try to stay healthy and play a full season,” added Brown on his goals for the season. When asked about last season’s performance as a whole, Jared replied that “the great start we had was cool to be a part of, but unfortunately it doesn’t mean much if you don’t win in the playoffs. Most of the team coming back has lost in the first round two years in a row now, so obviously they’re tired of that and are hungry to get past the first round next year.”

“This is going to be a big year for Brownie,” added Ferras on his young star forward. “He is training hard and he is very excited to come back to Rapid City and play an ever bigger role for this hockey club. He has the capability of being a game breaker and creates so much for us offensively. A healthy Jared Brown for 66 games will make us that much better of a hockey team.”

Originally from Gardner, Kansas, Brown, 28, is entering his fourth full season as a professional hockey player and his third in the Black Hills. In a Rush uniform, he has averaged almost a point-per-game, scoring 38 goals and recording 54 assists for 92 points in 102 games played. Prior to joining the Rush organization, he spent 71 games with the Quad City Mallards, playing with them as an amateur out of college and as a rookie the season after. Overall, Brown has played in 173 games as a professional, all in the CHL, racking up 66 goals, 95 assists, and 161 points. Before jumping into the pro ranks, Brown played collegiately at Northern Michigan University in the CCHA conference of the NCAA, playing 155 games with his alma mater over four seasons.

Other Rush News:

Tomorrow at 8 AM, the auction period for both Brett Kostolansky’s and Sean Erickson’s historical jerseys will end. At that same time, Jared Brown’s historical jersey auction will begin, lasting until next Wednesday, July 23rd at 8 AM. Go to the Rapid City Rush eBay store to bid here: http://www.ebay.com/usr/rapidcityrush?_trksid=p2047675.l2559.

Interested in season tickets? Call the Rush office at 716-7825 for details, and stay informed on all Rush happenings this summer 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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