CHL Rapid City Rush

Rush Add Second Goaltender with Jimmy Spratt Signing

Published on October 1, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release


(Rapid City, SD) - Today, the Rapid City Rush welcomed a second signing, goaltender Jimmy Spratt. Spratt joins the Rush as the second goaltender to be signed along with last year's Rookie of the Year, Danny Battochio.

Spratt, 24, was selected by the Calgary Flames in the 7th round, #213 overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

"Being a young goalie drafted by the Flames, Jimmy has a good taste of what it's like in the pro game," said Ferras. "Last season he gained experience, starting off slow, but then developed once he joined Las Vegas in the ECHL. As a young goalie with one year under his belt, we're looking at him to continue to mature and we expect big things."

Last year, Spratt began the season late as a member of the Louisiana IceGators in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL). After 12 games with the IceGators, Spratt joined the Las Vegas Wranglers of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) for the last 14 contests of the regular season. Spratt posted an impressive 2.92 goals against average (gaa) and .913 save percentage (sv%) in the 14 games with Las Vegas. The .913 sv% was tied for tops in the league while his 2.92 gaa was good enough for 9th.

For his efforts, Spratt was named Reebok Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week for March 8-14 after going 4-0-0 with a 2.75 gaa .923 sv% in four starts.

"It's real exciting to join a team that has had such great success over such a short period of time," said Spratt. "Any time you have a chance to join a team that is coming off of a championship, it is a special thing and something that you don't experience too often. Obviously, with this team winning the championship last year, every team will be bringing their best game night in night out, so we'll need to be prepared. So far, it looks like we have a really good team that receives tremendous support from the community, and I am very excited to be a part of it."

Prior to turning pro, the Chesterfield, Michigan native played four years of NCAA hockey at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). While at BGSU, Spratt appeared in 100 games and posted a 27-62-5 record with a 3.52 gaa and .879 sv%. In his senior season, Spratt tied a school record for shutouts in a season with three and also earned BGSU's winner of the Perani Cup Three Stars Award.

Before Bowling Green, Spratt spent three seasons with the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) going 49-23-10 with five shutouts, a 2.71 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage in 94 games. He was a two-time all-star while with the Musketeers, earning the honors in 2003-04 and 2004-05.

The Rush mow have 23 players under contract for the 2010-11 season. The current roster is as follows:

Forwards: Brendon Hodge, Scott Wray, Colt King, Blaine Jarvis, Luke Erickson, Ryan Menei, Erik Felde, Chris Chambers, Jeff Olitch, Kyle Laughlin and Josh Beaulieu.

Defenseman: Riley Weselowski, Dave Grimson, Libor Ustrnul, Vladimir Hartinger, Andrew Smale, Gio Flamminio, Scott Kalinchuk, Corey Laurysen, John Wessbecker and Jay Birnie.

Goaltenders: Danny Battochio and Jimmy Spratt.

Other Rush News:

Now taking reservations for season tickets for the 2010 - 2011 Rush hockey season. For more information, contact the Rush office at 605.716.PUCK (7825) or email tickets@rapidcityrush.com

Stay informed on Rush happenings through the official Rapid City Rush team website, www.RapidCityRush.com .

Check out the Rapid City Rush Statistics

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Central Hockey League Stories from October 1, 2010


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