MITCH NARDI RETURNS FOR FIRST FULL SEASON

(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush announced today that rookie forward Mitch Nardi has returned to the Rush roster for the upcoming 2018-19 ECHL season. Nardi came to the Rush last year after the conclusion of his Canadian college hockey career at Brock University.  The 6’0”, 190-pound forward played in the final five games of the regular season with the Rush, notching his first professional point, an assist at Quad City on April 4th in the last week of the year. “I came in and played the remaining five games of the season, and even though we weren’t going to the playoffs, I had an absolute blast.  The team was great, the city was awesome, the fans were great, and I loved working with Coach Tetrault.  I’m very excited for my first full year with the Rush,” Nardi said of coming back to the Black Hills.  “I tried not to think too much about the whole experience and just play hockey.  This year, I’m looking to put into action what I’ve learned, and keep having fun.  That will help lead both myself and the team to great success.” “Mitch came in for the last five games of the season last year and worked extremely hard for us.  I’m happy to have him and his extraordinary work ethic back on the Rush,” Rush Head Coach Daniel Tetrault explained regarding bringing Nardi back.  “Mitch understands that, whether it’s practice or a game, you need to bring the same intensity; he did all the little things right in both scenarios.  His hard work paid off especially in the corners, where he was able to show off how hard he forechecks, how responsibly he backchecks, and how physical he can be in puck retrieval.  I’m looking forward to seeing Mitch become a key piece of our team, and also be one of those ‘glue guys’ in the locker room.” A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Nardi played three seasons in USports with Brock University, and in 61 games, tabulated 19 goals and 17 assists for 36 points.  His college career originally began in the United States with Lake Superior State University, and amassed 13 points in 60 NCAA games (6g-7ast) over two seasons.  Before playing college hockey, he spent two seasons in the BCHL with the Coquitlam Express and the Kelowna Warriors, and registered 22 goals, 54 assists, and 76 points in 110 games. For more information on season ticket packages for our 11th season of hockey in the Black Hills, call the Rush office at 716-7825. ######