LANGHAMER BECOMES FIRST TO PLAY IN NHL

(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, would like to congratulate former Rush goaltender, Marek Langhamer, on making his National Hockey League debut last night as he helped the Arizona Coyotes defeat the Anaheim Ducks by a 3-2 score on home ice. Already the first player to make it to the NHL, Marek’s debut last night makes him the first player in Rush history to ever play in the NHL, and the 616th former ECHLer to make it to the highest echelon in professional hockey.

“We are very excited for Marek making his NHL debut, and to have started his pro career in Rapid City. For Marek be the first player to reach the National Hockey League is something that the entire organization is very proud of,” said Rush General Manager Joe Ferras. “When Marek played last season for the Rush it was very evident with his abilities and incredible work ethic that he was going to be a player that would no doubt play in the National Hockey League. As an organization, along with the loyal fan base of the Rush, we all want to congratulate Marek on this tremendous accomplishment. We are confident that Marek will be the first of several players that play in Rapid City and go on to the National Hockey league in years to come.”

Langhamer came into the game last night after Coyotes starter, Mike Smith, left the game with injury with 15:31 left in the third period. He saw 8 shots and made 7 saves, including a beauty with the game on the line. With seconds left on the clock, Langhamer denied Anaheim’s Nick Ritchie, then committed larceny on Sami Vatanen coming off the blue line with a kick save on a wide-open net to help the Coyotes hang on for the victory.

“Wow! What a way to get into his first NHL game!” Rush Head Coach Mark DeSantis exclaimed when he saw his former goaltender all over NHL news last night after a stellar relief appearance for the Coyotes. “We are very proud that Marek was part of our organization here in Rapid City, and excited for him to be the first Rush player to play in the NHL. We wish all the best to Marek going forward.”

The first player in Rapid City Rush history to make it and now play in the NHL, Langhamer suited up for the Rush for two seasons, including 7 games in the 2016-17 ECHL campaign. All-time in the Black Hills, the 6’3”, 185-pound net-minder has a record of 10-4-1 in 15 games with a 2.46 GAA and 0.925 SV%. His first win in a Rush uniform also doubled as the first win of his career, which came in a 36-save shutout on the road against the Utah Grizzlies on November 14, 2015. Prior to playing professionally, the Moravska Trebova, Czech Republic native played four seasons of major-junior hockey with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers, earning a 68-42-7 record in 120 contests. He was drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2012 NHL Draft (7th Rd-#184).

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