ARIZONA ASSIGNS TWO; AHL PLAYERS RETURN TO RUSH

(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes and AHL’s Springfield Falcons, announced today, the opening day of Rush Training Camp, that the Arizona Coyotes have re-assigned Dan O’Donoghue and James Melindy to the Rush. Additionally, forwards Cody Ferriero, Daniel Barczuk, Kale Kerbashian, and Zach Cohen have all been released from their AHL tryouts and will report to Rush training camp.

Melindy, a third-year professional from Goulds, New Foundland, comes to the Rush after splitting last season with the AHL’s Portland Pirates and the ECHL’s Gwinnett Gladiators. The 6’2”, 190-pound defenseman suited up in 9 games with Portland, and 47 games in Georgia, where he recorded 2 goals with 7 assists for 9 points. In his rookie season, Melindy spent 38 games with the Pirates, and ignited the goal lamp twice. Prior to playing professionally, the 21 year-old recorded 56 points (17 G, 39 Ast) in 168 games with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL, and was drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2012 NHL Draft (3rd Round-#88).

O’Donoghue makes his way to the Black Hills while also coming from both the Gladiators and Falcons. Last season, the second-year pro played 16 games in Portland, and in 23 with the Glads notched 8 points (4 G, 4 Ast). His tenure in the Arizona affiliate system began after his collegiate days, when he suited up with the Pirates for 3 games as an amateur. Prior to turning pro, the 6’5”, 205-pound forward and native of Port Jefferson, NY, spent four seasons and 155 games with his alma mater, Mercyhurst College, where he not only recorded 119 points (45 G, 74 Ast), but also had a banner year in 2013-14 as he took home a Regular Season AHA Championship, was named the AHA’s “Best Defensive Forward”, and was named to the AHA Second All-Conference Team.

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