KERBASHIAN RETURNS TO THE RUSH FOR 2015-16

(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 forward Kale Kerbashian to the roster for the 2015-16 ECHL season. Kerbashian becomes the ninth forward to be added to the roster for next season, and the sixth to return from last season.

A year after winning the ultimate prize in the CHL, Kale Kerbashian went on to record the best statistical season of his young career last season. The 5’11”, 200-pound forward started the season with the Evansville Icemen, recording 28 points (9 G, 19 Ast) in 37 games. It was with the Rush that Kale took off, as he notched 34 points (12 G, 22 Ast) in just 28 games, along with a +24 rating. His season totals shattered his career-highs in each statistical category, as Kale ultimately finished with 65 games played, 21 goals, 41 assists, 62 points, and a +7 rating. Kerbashian continued his success in the playoffs for the Rush, finishing just shy of a point-per-game pace with 8 points (1 G, 7 Ast) in 9 games, finishing in a three-way tie as the second-best Rush playoff scorer.

“It’s great to be back with a great organization in a great city with great fans. I was given an opportunity to succeed and play with some outstanding players, and I made the most of it,” Kerbashian remarked on last season and his return to the Black Hills. “I have many goals for next season on a personal level, but as far as the team is concerned, I expect that we bring the same game as last year: speed and physical play, mixed in with great leadership to win.”

“To get Kale back in the fold was a priority. He is a game-breaking type player who combines a very high skill level with grit, and a willingness to go into tough areas to make things happen,” said Rush Head Coach and GM Joe Ferras. “Kale showed his commitment to this season by spending all summer in Edmonton training and working with other pros at the NHL and AHL levels. With Kale going into his fifth year as a pro, he will be relied upon to bring leadership, and set a standard with his work ethic and dedication for our younger players to follow.”

A native of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Kerbashian, now 25, enters his fifth season as a professional, and his second with the Rush. Over the course of his previous four seasons, Kerbashian has played in 192 career games, racking up a total of 59 goals and 94 assists for 153 points across the AHL, ECHL, and CHL. It was in the CHL with the Allen Americans that Kerbashian won two Ray Miron President’s Cups in back-to-back seasons in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons. Prior to playing professionally, he played his junior hockey in the OHL with the London Knights, Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors, and the Sarnia Sting.

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