ROOKIE STANDOUT CODY FERRIERO BACK FOR ANOTHER SEASON

(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 Cody Ferriero for the upcoming 2015-16 ECHL season. Ferriero becomes the tenth forward on the Rush roster, and the seventh returning player from last season.

Cody Ferriero shook up the hockey world as an immediate impact player on the ice for the Rush last season. The 5’11”, 205-pound forward recorded his first professional hat trick just three games into his ECHL tenure, and that moment sparked a run in which Ferriero%20scored 20 goals and 25 assists for a total of 45 points in just 39 games, setting three Rush franchise records and tying another. Additionally, in that 39-game span, Ferriero finished among rookies as the leading goal-scorer, with the best plus-minus rating (+10), second in points, and third in assists. In the playoffs, the rookie sensation finished as the leading scorer on the Rush roster with 9 points in all 13 games, and also led the team with 5 goals. His shining moment came in Game 7 of the 2015 Kelly Cup Playoffs Central Division Semifinals, when he scored both goals in a 2-1 win over the Quad City Mallards, with both goals coming in the third period, including the game-winner with 1:03 left in the game.

“It’s great to be back with the Rush. We gave it our all last season and I think we could’ve done some special things, but we can build upon that and really compete in this league,” Ferriero said of his reflection of last season and his return to Rapid City. “I have set many goals for myself, but at the end of the day it all remains the same: give my best every night, compete as hard as I can, and win for this organization, for these loyal fans, and for this community that allowed me an opportunity to play at a high level.”

“Cody’s first season as a pro was nothing short of outstanding. He made an instant impact to our hockey team upon his arrival with his offensive instincts and incredible compete level,” said Rush Head Coach and GM Joe Ferras. “Cody came in at a time when we were struggling to put pucks in the net and create offense, and he flourished with this opportunity that he was given and became a dominant player for us. We are expecting him to build off of last year and take a more prominent role on the leadership side despite only being in his second year as a professional.”

Hailing from Essex, Massachusetts, Ferriero, 23, enters his second season as a professional, which is also his second in the Black Hills. Prior to turning pro, Ferriero played college hockey at Northeastern University in the NCAA, and was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the 2010 NHL Draft (5th Round-#127).

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