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Barczuk and Brannon Return

June 19, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL) - Rapid City Rush News Release


(RAPID CITY, SD) - The Rapid City Rush announced their first signings of the 2015-16 ECHL season. Daniel Barczuk and Scott Brannon return to the Rush organization for their fourth seasons as professional hockey players.

"We're very excited to have both players back in the fold," said Rush Head Coach and GM Joe Ferras. "Having just completed our first season at the ECHL level, it was very apparent that speed, physicality, and compete level are integral parts of being successful. Both Barch and Branno possess these attributes."

"It feels great to be back with the Rapid City Rush. I had a great season, and I feel confident with some of the guys coming back to the team to chase the championship next year," said Barczuk on his return to the Black Hills. When asked of his breakout season and his hope for next season, Daniel continued: "It's great to hit milestones, but it was the guys around me that made it happen. It takes the guys you're playing with to have those kinds of numbers and seasons. I feel that I'm more comfortable with the professional game, so that contributes as well. I look to continue to play physical and produce offensively, and hope that I continue to get better and tuck home a few more goals."

Daniel Barczuk comes back to the Rush organization for his second season, coming off of a career year that saw him set career-highs in virtually every statistical category. The 6'0", 195-pound forward recorded his first 20-goal season, igniting the lamp 22 times along with 12 assists for 34 points in 69 games. In the postseason against the Quad City Mallards and Allen Americans, Barczuk played in all 13 games, and finished in a three-way tie for second on the Rush roster with 8 points (3 G, 5 Ast). Prior to turning professional, the 27 year-old native of Livonia, Michigan played collegiate hockey for three seasons at Lake Superior State University in the NCAA before concluding his college career at NCAA D-III Adrian College.

"Barch brings tremendous speed and plays with a fearlessness that allowed him to score 20+ goals and create several quality chances where he could have very easily reached the 30-goal plateau," Ferras continued regarding Barczuk. "Barch was the ultimate team guy, sticking up for his teammates when necessary, as well as setting a tone as indicated by his 16 major penalties last season. After having a year's experience in the ECHL, we are confident that he will build off of last season and become even more of an impact player for us."

"I love playing here. Rapid City was my number one choice if Joe wanted me back to play this upcoming season. It feels great to be back," said Brannon on his fourth season with the Rush. "This is where I wanted to be. You never know where you'll be in your hockey career, and I've loved being here in Rapid because it feels like home to me." When asked on his expectations for next season and his thoughts on his career in Rapid City, Brannon concluded: "I became a more complete player with the Rush. I'm responsible in the d-zone and I feel that I've contributed when I've needed to. I'm not going to put up 80 pts, but I'll do anything I can to help my team."

Brannon comes back to the Rush for a fourth season, having played all 169 games of his professional career in the Black Hills (29 G, 35 Ast, 65 Pts). The 6'0", 190-pound forward collected 21 points (7 G, 14 Ast) in 59 games played in his first ECHL season, and added an extra 3 points (2 G, Ast) in all 13 playoff games against Quad City and Allen. Before transitioning to the professional ranks, the 26 year-old New Glasgow, Nova Scotia native played for the Moncton Wildcats in the QMJHL, captaining his team to a 2010 QMJHL championship, and spent two seasons with St. Francis Xavier University in the CIS.

"Branno's numbers certainly don't indicate the value he brought to our hockey club last season," added Ferras of Brannon. "Early on last season was a huge adjustment period for a lot of our players, including Branno. Scott's play over the second half of the season and down the stretch was invaluable to our success in our second half run and throughout the playoffs. This will only serve as a positive for his preparation going into his second season in the ECHL."

The 2015-16 ECHL season begins on October 16th as the Rush travel to Boise, ID to open up against one of their newest West Division rivals, the Idaho Steelheads. On October 23rd, the Boys from the Black Hills return to the friendly confines of Premier Home Mortgage Ice and Rushmore Plaza Civic Center to open the home portion of their season against their archrivals, the Colorado Eagles. Season ticket packages, starting at $10 per game, are on sale now at the Rush office. Call 716-PUCK for more details.

Other Rush News:

Join Rush Nation for only $10 per game! Call the Rush office at 716-7825 for details, and stay informed on all Rush happenings this summer through the official Rapid City Rush team website, www.RapidCityRush.com, and the Rapid City Rush mobile app, available on iTunes and Google Play.


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