ALEX ALEARDI RETURNS FOR SECOND SEASON IN RAPID CITY

(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Calgary Flames, announced its first player signing for the 2023-24 ECHL Season. Alex Aleardi returns to the Rush for his second season in the Black Hills, and his 11th in his professional hockey career.

"I'm really excited to be back in Rapid," said Aleardi. "I can't wait to get back on the ice and get the season going! I think it's going to be a great year for the Rush."

Aleardi joined the Rush last season after a return to North American professional hockey in 2021-22. The 5’9”, 180-pound forward was one of two “Iron Men” on the Rush roster, playing in all 72 games while scoring 30 goals and racking up 65 points. His 30 goals were tied for the team lead with Matt Marcinew, while his 35 assists and 65 points were second on the roster.

“In announcing our first player of the 2023-24 ECHL season, I couldn’t think of anyone better than Alex Aleardi to kick things off. Alex coming back for a second season with the Rush provides us with a player that possesses a championship pedigree, as well as leadership, which are crucial to the journey we face this year,” said Rush Head Coach/GM Scott Burt. “He had a strong year last season putting up 30 goals, and we will continue to lean on him for a scoring punch. It’s no secret that we all have a sour taste from how last year went. We as a group need to be better, and with Alex excited to be a part of our team and community, we will be ready to go!”

A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Aleardi, 30, enters his 11th season of professional hockey, his fourth in North America. In his ECHL career, Aleardi has 172 games and 166 points, split between 83 goals and 83 assists with the Rush, the Florida Everblades, and the Evansville Icemen. With the Everblades, he was a key contributor to the team’s run as 2022 Kelly Cup Champions, racking up 59 points (31g-28ast) in 61 regular season games, while adding another 8 goals and 12 points in 20 Kelly Cup Playoff contests. In addition to 92 AHL contests with the Springfield Falcons and Charlotte Checkers over two-plus seasons, six years of his career have also taken him through the European ranks in Sweden, Austria, and France. In the latter nation’s Ligue Magnus, he captured the French Championship with the Rouen Dragons in 2018, and the league’s goal-scoring title with 35 in 2019 as a member of the Grenoble Brûleurs de Loups. Prior to turning professional, Aleardi played major-junior hockey for five seasons with the Windsor Spitfires, Plymouth Whalers, Belleville Bulls, and Kitchener Rangers (321gp, 104g-123ast-227pts).

2023-24 season tickets and mini packs are on sale now! Opening night takes place on October 27 against the Kansas City Mavericks. Don't miss out on any of the action next season. Get your season tickets or mini packs by calling us at (605) 716-7825 or online at rapidcityrush.com!