EHRHARDT BROUGHT BACK TO THE BLUE LINE

(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes and AHL’s Springfield Falcons, announced today the re-signing of defenseman Dallas Ehrhardt for the upcoming 2015-16 ECHL season. Ehrhardt is the sixth defenseman signed for next season, and the third to return to the fold.

Ehrhardt started last season with the Missouri Mavericks and played in 23 games, scoring a lone goals with 3 assists for 4 points. He was then traded to the Rush at the midway point of the season, and became a reliable option on the back end for his new club, adding 3 more goals with 8 assists for 11 points. Additionally, in the second half of the season, the 6’4”, 220-pound defenseman finished third on the Rush roster in plus-minus with a +12 rating. In the playoffs, Dallas played in 11 games and contributed a goal with 3 assists for 4 points against the Quad City Mallards and Allen Americans.

“It’s great to be back in Rapid City. Last season didn’t end the way I wanted; it’s been a long summer and I can’t wait to get back,” Ehrhardt said of his return to the Black Hills. “I think last season I came into a great group of guys that didn’t have the success they deserved. It was a great situation for me to succeed not only individually, but also as a team, and I took advantage. There aren’t too many expectations on my end for next season. I know what kind of team we have, plus I learned a lot myself, so I’m ready to battle and keep working hard.”

“Dallas was another mid-season acquisition for us, and shows a lot of promise when he plays to his size,” Rush Associate Coach Mark DeSantis said of Ehrhardt. “He has a great shot, sees the ice well, and can play on both the power play and penalty kill. To be effective, we need Dallas to be more physical, especially in a division with our archrivals, the Colorado Eagles. We expect him to take a big step forward this season with our club.”

A native of Calgary, Alberta, Ehrhardt, 23, begins his third season as a professional hockey player, and his second in the ECHL. As a pro, he has competed in 101 games, and has notched 4 goals and 18 assists for 22 points, along with an overall +13 rating. Prior to playing professionally, Ehrhardt spent 4 seasons in the WHL with the Brandon Wheat Kings, the Moose Jaw Warriors, and the Prince George Cougars.

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