COLLINS RETURNS FOR SECOND SEASON

(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, announced today that forward Anthony Collins will return to don a Rush uniform in our 10th anniversary 2017-18 ECHL SEASON.

Collins, 27, comes back to the Rush after a career year in the Black Hills last season. The 6’4”, 216-pound forward notched a career-high in virtually every statistical category, tallying 8 goals with 6 assists for 14 points, along with 134 PIM in 67 games. Collins achieved a career milestone when he suited up for his 200th professional game on January 7, 2017 against the Utah Grizzlies on the road.

“I’m really excited for all the positivity we have going for our team this offseason. Coach Tetrault and Coach Ferrara are two high-energy guys that aren’t too far removed from the game, so they’re going to be a ray of shining light for our team,” said Collins of his return to the Rush. “I wasn’t too happy with how things ended last year. I felt like I had so much more to give to this team, the city of Rapid City, and the great fans that were loyal and supported us last season throughout the highs and the lows. I thought it was important for myself to come back and put in a quality season of playoff hockey for them solely for the way they treated me and the way they supported me. I felt obligated to come back and put a playoff team together here. This WILL BE a playoff hockey team next year. Nothing else matters. Last year was unacceptable. A deep playoff run, good team chemistry, and a competing team every night that the fans can be proud of is all that is what we hope to accomplish for our big 10th anniversary season.”

“I am so happy to have a guy like Anthony back! He’s a team-first player and will do anything for his teammates,” Rush Head Coach Daniel Tetrault said of re-signing Collins. “Anthony is one of the toughest players in the league, and can also produce offensively when given the opportunity. He will definitely be one of our leaders on and off the ice this season. I can’t say enough about this great individual, and can’t wait to have him back in a Rush uniform come October.”

A native of Langley, British Columbia, Collins begins the sixth season of his professional career that has seen him play in the SPHL with the Mississippi Surge, and in the ECHL with the South Carolina Stingrays, Quad City Mallards, and Rush. In his entire career, he has 40 points to his credit (18g-22ast) in 234 games, along with 618 PIM. Prior to playing professionally, Collins jumped around the junior ranks in five seasons, appearing predominately in the BCHL, MJHL, and SJHL with 7 different teams.

REMINDERS:

• The 2017-18 ECHL Schedule is OUT! Head to www.echl.com to see where the Rush play during their 10th anniversary season!

• For more information on Season Ticket Memberships for our 10th anniversary, call 716-7825.

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