FORMER NHL DEFENSEMAN JOINS RUSH

(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, announced today that veteran defenseman Theo Peckham has been signed for the 2016-17 ECHL season.

Peckham joins the Rush after spending parts of the last two seasons with the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder. The 6’2”, 265-pound defenseman spent 42 games with the former ECHL Central Division rival of the Rush, amassing 2 goals with 6 assists for 8 points in that time. He also played in Europe with HC Banska Bystrica in Slovakia and the Rodovre Mighty Bulls in Denmark, adding 3 total assists in 9 total appearances.

“Theo will add experience and depth that will be vital to our D-corps, as well as our locker room. He can be a very good shut down D against other team’s top lines and will be a key ingredient to our penalty kill,” Rush Head Coach Mark DeSantis said of Peckham’s addition to the team. “His style of play, leadership, and toughness will be a welcomed addition to our team. We are very excited to add a player that has over 100 games of NHL experience.”

“It feels awesome to sign with the Rush organization. Everything has been great so far, from my first calls with the coaches, to the apartments and facilities. It’s exciting to be with such a well-run organization,” Peckham said of joining the Rush. “On the ice, I bring stability, and toughness. I try to be a rock for my teammates and stop the opposition from scoring. As far as expectations are concerned, it’s simple: go out and win, because that’s what it comes down to in this league. Last year was a speed bump for me because of injuries, but I’m focused on staying healthy, getting back in the game, and contributing on a nightly basis.”

A native of Richmond Hill, Ontario, Peckham, 28, begins his 10th season of professional hockey which has seen him play 407 total games across the international landscape of the sport. From 2007 to 2013, Peckham made it to the highest echelon of hockey and played in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers for 160 contests, notching 17 points. Additionally, he had 192 AHL games under his belt with the former Springfield Falcons and Oklahoma City Barons, and Rockford Icehogs, and 46 games in the ECHL with Wichita and the former San Francisco Bulls. Prior to playing professionally, Peckham played three seasons of junior hockey in the OHL with the Owen Sound Attack, racking up 60 points in 181 games, and was also named to the 2006 CHL Top Prospects Game. He was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2006 NHL Draft (3rd Rd-#75).

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