(INDEPENDENCE, MO) – The Rapid City Rush, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, announced a pair of transactions today. The Rush have acquired rookie forward Shaquille Merasty in a trade for future considerations with the Wichita Thunder, while the AHL’s Iowa Wild have re-assigned rookie forward Jack Walker to the Rush. Both players will be in the lineup tonight against the Kansas City Mavericks, and Merasty will wear #19 in his Rush debut.
Merasty comes to the Rush through trade after beginning the season with the Wichita Thunder. The 6’2”, 185-pound forward has appeared in 20 games with the Thunder, earning 3 goals, 2 assists, and 5 points along with 27 PIM. Prior to playing professionally, the Thompson, Manitoba native played for the University of Manitoba in USports, and collected 74 points (33g-41ast) in 82 games, playing with current Rush defenseman, Josh Elmes, for a season. Additionally, he played junior hockey in the MJHL with the Portage Terriers, and won back-to-back MJHL Championships in 2011 and 2012.
Walker comes back to the Rush after his second call-up with the Wild this season. The 5’10”, 180-pound forward played in his first two career AHL games, including his debut on February 19th in a 2-1 win over the Texas Stars. In his pair of games, Walker did not register any statistics, but maintained an even rating. With the Rush, the Edina, Minnesota native has 20 points in 24 games, split right down the middle at 10 goals and assists each. Of his 10 goals, three have come while the team was shorthanded, making him the first rookie player in Rush history to strike multiple times while man-down in a single season. Additionally, his 3 “shorties” are good for a share of second all-time in a single season. Prior to turning pro, Walker played five seasons in the WHL with the Victoria Royals, posting 248 points (101g-147ast) in 318 games. He was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2016 NHL Draft (6th Rd-#152).
The Rush now start a three-game road trip in Kansas City, taking on the Mavericks for the final time this season. Puck drop tonight is slated for 6:05 p.m. MST.
######
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers