JOSH ELMES BOLSTERS BLUE LINE IN RETURN

(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush announced today that defenseman Josh Elmes has re-signed with the Rush for the upcoming season.

Elmes completed his rookie season of professional hockey with the Rush last year, and ended the campaign as one of the standout blue-liners on the roster. After beginning the season in the Iowa Wild’s AHL camp, the 6’2”, 215-pound defenseman appeared in 59 games with the Rush, collecting 13 assists and finishing with an even (E) rating. Elmes showcased leadership throughout the course of the entire season, which not only resulted in his first appointment as an assistant captain in the last third of the season, but also finished with receiving the 2018 Blaine Jarvis “Heart and Soul” Award.

“I enjoyed playing for the Rush a lot last season. Things started off slow for me, but Coach Tetsy and Coach Nello just told me to stay patient, and I’m very appreciative of the faith they showed in me last year,” Elmes said of last season and his return to the Rush for next year. “I liked the guys in the room, and I loved playing for both of our coaches. I know we lost a lot last year, but playing for this team was special, and I hope I can continue to build off of the year I had last year, and keep working as hard as I can for the coaching staff to help us win next season.”

“Josh was a healthy scratch for about the first five or six games last season, but he kept a great attitude and was the hardest working guy on the ice. I mean, look what he did: 59 games played, he was even on a last place team. I look back to his signing last season as the signing of the year,” Coach Tetrault stated on Elmes’ return to the Rush. “The thing with Josh is he NEVER loses a battle, wins his one-on-ones, plays physical, skates very well for a big guy of his size, and he’s a team-first guy.

“Another really important factor about Josh,” Tetrault continued, “is that he isn’t a passenger. He’s a guy that I don’t have to constantly have in my office because Josh brings it every day in practice and games. That’s why I chose him as the Blaine Jarvis ‘Heart and Soul’ Award recipient, why he wore an ‘A’ as a rookie last season, and why he’ll come back as an assistant [captain] next season.”

A native of Brandon, Manitoba, Elmes completed a season in the SPHL before venturing out to the Black Hills, playing in 8 games with a goal with 2 assists for 3 points with the Fayetteville FireAntz before being traded to the Evansville Thunderbolts, adding another 5 goals, 11 assists, 16 points, and 30 PIM in 35 games. Prior to playing professionally, Elmes jumped around the ranks of junior and college hockey, playing for the OCN Blizzard in the MJHL, the Fargo Force and Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL, the University of Manitoba (with current teammate Shaquille Merasty), and the Moosomin Rangers in the North Central Hockey League.

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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