(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes and AHL’s Springfield Falcons, announced earlier today the signing of rookie defenseman Brian O’Rourke for the 2015-16 ECHL season. O’Rourke becomes the third defenseman announced this offseason, joining Brett Kostolansky and Kirill Tulupov.
O’Rourke comes to the professional ranks after four seasons with his alma mater, the University of Nebraska-Omaha, in the NCAA. While with the Mavericks, the 6’1”, 207-pound defenseman played in 121 games, recording 13 points (3 G, 10 Ast) with a +2 rating. Last season, as a captain of the Mavs, O’Rourke helped guide his team to their third NCAA tournament appearance, and their first Frozen Four in school history, falling to the eventual National Champion, Providence.
“I was fortunate to get taste of the pro game with Ontario last year, and look forward to this upcoming season playing with a quality organization like the Rush,” said O’Rourke on his first professional home. About his on-ice contributions, O’Rourke continued: “I’m definitely going to bring physicality on the back-end. I feel that I’m a great skater, and I can block shots as well. When it comes to how I play the game, it’s doing the little things on the ice. It’s not about personal statistics, but what it takes to win on a nightly basis.”
“Brian comes recommended to us by Michael Young, who was a teammate of his at UNO,” said Rush Associate Coach, Mark DeSantis. “After Brian’s final season in college, he was on the Ontario Reign’s playoff roster. From what we’ve seen, he’ll be a great fit for our team on the penalty kill and in even strength hockey. We’re very excited to see him in a Rush uniform this upcoming season.”
A native of St. Louis, MO, O’Rourke, was named to the All-Conference Academic team, in both the WCHA and now the NCHC, in his final three seasons at UNO. Prior to playing collegiately, the 24-year old played with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL and won a Clark Cup National Championship in the 2009-10 season.
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