MONTMINY AND LEPINE JOIN RUSH

(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush announced today that forwards Cedric Montminity and Robert Lepine have joined the Rush for the 2018-19 ECHL season.  Both players are considered rookies per ECHL roster rules. Montminy comes to the Rush after playing his second season overseas in Germany’s third division with EHC Timmendorfer Strand 06.  The 5’11”, 190-pound forward enjoyed his best professional season yet, recording well over a point-per-game average with 23 goals, 36 assists, and 59 points in 43 games.  A native of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Montminy played his first season pro in France in the third division with Chambery, and registered 17 goals, 21 assists, and 38 points in 18 games, along with an additional 9 points (7g-2ast) in 5 playoff games.  He played 19 QMJHL games with the Drummondville Voltigeurs in 2014-15, but spent the vast majority of his junior career in the QJAAAHL. “I’ve always wanted to play in the ECHL, and seeing as how my team from last season ran into trouble, now was the time to try and make that a reality,” Montminy said of coming to Rapid City.  “I see myself as a playmaker that brings scoring chances and offense to the team, but I can also throw my body around and bring a physical aspect.  I want what’s best for this team this season, and can’t wait for camp to start.” “I’ve heard and seen nothing but great things about Cedric from friends and scouts on the eastern side of the continent that are familiar with his play.  I’m interested to see what he’ll bring to the table in training camp,” Rush Head Coach Daniel Tetrault said of Montminy.  “Pascal Rheaume, a former NHLer and 2003 Stanley Cup Champion put me on to Cedric originally, having coached him in junior, and explained to me that his skill and speed will really shine through when he comes to camp in two weeks.  Cedric is looking for a chance to showcase that skill and play his first season of pro hockey in North America, so I’m looking forward to evaluating him in camp.” Lepine comes to the Rush after completing his first full season of professional hockey, split between the SPHL’s Pensacola Ice Flyers and EIHL’s Braehead Clan in Scotland.  The 6’1”, 190-pound forward earned 22 points (6g-16ast) in 26 games with Penscola, then jumped across the pond and tabulated 14 points (5g-9ast) in 22 games with the Clan.  Prior to last season, the Killaloe, Ontario native played 3 games with the former Elmira Jackals in the ECHL following a four-year career with the University of Guelph in USports, where he compiled 48 career points, split down the middle at 24 goals and assists each in 59 games. “When I spoke to Coach Tetrault, he made it clear that this is a great opportunity for me, and that I would fit well with the group of guys this year.  I come from a small town and enjoy the outdoors as well, so seeing the similarities between home and Rapid City added to how happy I am to sign here,” Lepine said of joining the Rush.  “As a player, I work hard every night and try to be as consistent as possible.  It’s a long season in the ECHL, so consistency is key to success.  I expect to be a part of a playoff team this year in Rapid City, and expect to be a solid contributor to a winning team. I can’t wait to get started.” “I’ve seen video on Robert, and his knack for finding the net really stood out to me.  There were times last season that we lacked the ‘clutch’ goal in games to keep us in the thick of things, so this is a welcome boost for camp,” Tetrault added regarding Lepine.  “I have a scout out in Ontario that covers Canadian college hockey, and he said Robert can come up with the big goals when the team needs one.  After succeeding in the British league and starting off as well as he did in the SPHL last year, Robert is hungry to earn a spot on an ECHL roster, and that competition will make my training camp that much more interesting.” ######