BRAYDEN SHERBININ RETURNS FOR FIRST FULL PRO SEASON

(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush announced today that defenseman Brayden Sherbinin has been signed for the upcoming season.

Sherbinin earned his first taste of professional hockey last season with the Rush, making his professional debut on March 2nd against the Allen Americans on the road. The 6’2”, 185-pound blueliner ultimately compiled 4 points in 17 games with the Rush, split between 2 goals and 2 assists. Sherbinin knocked out multiple career firsts in the St. Patrick’s Day win against the Wichita Thunder at home, scoring his first pro goal along with recording his first pro assist in his first pro multi-point game.

“I had a great experience with the guys and coaches last season. It was a good team to be a part of, and while we didn’t have a great start, we finished real strong and can build off of that. The fans were unbelievable as well, so it’s safe to say I’m looking forward to next season,” Sherbinin noted of his experience and return to the team. “I want to do my best to help the team win in whatever way possible. I’ll play defense first, but I’d like to utilize my speed and put up some more offense. As a team, I know we have what it takes to win, so I want to do what I can to get us back on the winning side this year.

“The most important thing I learned, honestly it was just being pro,” Sherbinin added. “It’s different from college, simply because there are more games and less time, so you have to learn to keep body ready. It was a transition for sure, but adaptation was key, and I hope to carry my strength from that adaptation into next season.”

“Similar to my signing of Josh Elmes last year, I look to Brayden as a ‘diamond in the rough’. Bringing him on at the end of the season was a great decision for our team, and I’m very excited to have Brayden back in a Rush uniform,” Rush Head Coach Daniel Tetrault said of Sherbinin’s return. “Right out of the gates, the most impressive thing about Brayden was his skating ability. His speed is his deadliest weapon: he can jump into the play and get back into his own zone effortlessly. He also has a great first pass, and his work ethic and compete level are professional grade. I expect Brayden to bring this back and help our breakout, and I’d like to see him utilize his shot more. It’s a heavy shot that’s dangerous if it gets through, and should add an offensive boost to my back-end.

“Most importantly,” Tetrault continued, “Brayden is a character guy both on and off the ice. It means so much to me that he understands what it means to be a great person in both life and hockey. I’m looking for him to showcase that even more this season in the community and in our locker room.”

A native of Kelowna, British Columbia, Sherbinin came to the Rush after completing his college hockey career with the University of Calgary. With the Dinos, he recorded 16 points in 54 games (5g-11ast), and added another 4 points in 10 playoff games (2g-2ast). Before heading to Canada to finish his collegiate career, Sherbinin skated in 53 games with Quinnipiac University in NCAA over two seasons, and played 160 BCHL games with the Westside Warriors, Cowichan Valley Capitals, and Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

For more information on season ticket packages for our 11th season of hockey in the Black Hills, call the Rush office at 716-7825.

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