JOHAN RYD LATEST FREE AGENT TO JOIN RUSH

(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush is pleased to announce the acquisition of a young free agent to the roster. Head Coach and GM Joe Ferras has signed 24 year-old Johan Ryd, fresh off of his second season of professional hockey.

“Johan is a very skilled and very versatile forward that had a tremendous college career, and is coming off of a breakout season as a pro,” said Head Coach and GM Joe Ferras. “He was a key member of the Sundogs in their defeat of the #1 Missouri Mavericks in the playoffs last season. Johan’s game blossomed as the Sundogs began to utilize his skill-set in various situations.”

"I am very much looking forward to joining the Rush and playing for Coach Ferras this upcoming season,” Ryd said of coming to his new home. “Each time I played in Rapid City I appreciated the way the fans supported their team. Being able to be a part of that environment on a regular basis is definitely something I am excited about.”

Ryd finished his second season of professional hockey with the Arizona Sundogs last year, playing in 51 games and scoring 7 goals with 12 assists for 19 points. The 5’11” 198 lb forward also contributed in the postseason, playing in all 11 of the Sundogs playoff games, adding 2 goals and 2 assists for 4 points. His shining moment in the postseason came in Game 5 of the opening round, as he scored the game-Winning%20Goal in double overtime to give the Sundogs a 3-2 series lead over the top-seed Missouri Mavericks, leading to an eventual 4-2 series win.

“Johan was a key member of the Sundogs penalty kill unit,” added Ferras, “and is a very underrated player. His tremendous work ethic and compete level represent what we as an organization try to instill here in our players and what we believe we need to win another championship in Rapid. With the physicality and injuries that occur, Johan’s ability to play all three forward positions makes him a valuable asset that you can insert anywhere in the lineup.”

A native of Stockholm, Sweden, Ryd begins his third season of professional hockey, all in the CHL. He is just one game away from 100 games played in his CHL career, and in that time has contributed 13 goals and 27 assists for 40 points. Just before becoming a professional, he suited up for 3 games as an amateur with the defunct Chicago Express of the ECHL at the conclusion of the 2011-12 season, before signing with the Sundogs in the next season. Collegiately, Ryd played for NCAA Division III powerhouse St. Norbert College, where he won back-to-back Division III national titles in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons with current Rush rookie Reid Campbell. In addition to his championships, he was named both an NCHA 1st Team All-American and the NCHA Player of the Year in the 2011-12 season. He played in 90 games with his alma mater, scoring 98 points over four seasons.

Other Rush News:

The Rush Historical Jersey Auction is back with another installment of jerseys, with Kevin Harvey’s and Tristin Llewellyn’s jersey on the auction block. To bid on the jerseys, visit the team’s eBay page here: http://www.ebay.com/usr/rapidcityrush?_trksid=p2047675.l2559

Join Rush Nation for only $10 per game! 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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