(RAPID CITY, S.D.)—The Rapid City Rush, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Calgary Flames, announced Saturday, in an Active Life Chiropractic Roster Adjustment, the Rush have received forwards Braden Birnie and Marko Sikic from the American Hockey League’s Calgary Wranglers.
Additionally, the Wranglers have released Seth Fyten, Eric Parker, Jake Ratzlaff, and Shane Farkas—four Rush signees on ECHL contracts—from their Training Camp try-outs for the purpose of reassignment to Rapid City.
Birnie, 25, made his professional debut with the Rush on March 9th and impressed right away. The 6-foot-3, 192-pound winger recorded six points (2g+4a) in just nine games before earning a Professional Tryout contract with the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks on April 1st. Birnie played five American Hockey League games at the end of the regular season and picked up one assist.
The Weyburn, Sask. native parlayed that success into a two-way AHL/ECHL contract with the Wranglers for the 2026-27 season. Birnie turned pro following a four-year collegiate career at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks.
Sikic, 23, is entering his third professional season, and first in the Calgary organization, after signing a two-way AHL/ECHL contract over the summer. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound forward spent the last two full seasons with the Cincinnati Cyclones while under contract with Toronto.
Sikic totaled 24 points (11g+13a) in 54 games with Cincinnati last year and skated in both matchups against Rapid City in January. Before turning pro, the Kitchener, Ont. native spent his four-year junior hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League and led the Sarnia Sting in scoring as a 20-year-old.
2026-27 Rapid City Rush season tickets, mini plans, and group experiences are on sale now! You can score the best deals on tickets and take advantage of exclusive perks, including season ticket holder-only events and discounts at the team store. Call the Rush office at 605-716-7825 or visit www.rapidcityrush.com to learn more and secure your seats today.
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