Salmon Kings ink David Rutherford

Published on August 6, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC - The Victoria Salmon Kings, proud affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks and Manitoba Moose, announced today that they have signed forward David Rutherford for the 2009-10 season.

The 5-8, 180lb forward is entering his second professional season after splitting the 2008-09 campaign between the Charlotte Checkers and Phoenix Roadrunners. Rutherford began the season in Charlotte playing 52 games and notching 26 points (13g-13a) while adding 89 minutes in penalties. Following a March 13th trade to Phoenix he dressed for 12 games with the Roadrunners compiling 10 points (6g-4a) and 22 minutes in penalties.

"David is a tenacious player who is also capable of contributing on the offense end," General Manager and Head Coach Mark Morrison said. "He has proven that he can excel during the post-season, which was evident when he helped Spokane capture the Memorial Cup in 2008."

Prior to turning professional the 22-year-old spent five seasons between the Spokane Chiefs and Vancouver Giants in the WHL as well as the Surrey Eagles, Chilliwack Chiefs and Penticton Panthers of the BCHL.

The final two years of Rutherford's junior career were played with the Spokane Chiefs where he compiled 101 points (53g-48a) over 121 games while accruing 198 minutes in penalties. In the 2007-08 WHL Playoffs he dressed for 21 games scoring 18 points (9g-9a) and added 12 minutes in penalties helping the Chiefs win the WHL title. At the 2008 Memorial Cup in Kitchener, Ontario Rutherford dressed for all four of Spokane's games posting two minutes in penalties and helped propel the Chiefs to their second Memorial Cup title.

Before joining the Chiefs, Rutherford spent the 2005-06 season with the Vancouver Giants where he accumulated 10 points (4g-6a) in 41 games played and added 44 minutes in penalties.

The majority of the 2004-05 season was played with the Surrey Eagles where the forward dressed for 48 games and scored 55 points (25g-30a) while garnering 98 penalty minutes. Rutherford also dressed for one game with Giants that season.

The Ladner, BC native began his junior hockey career in 2003-04 splitting the season between the Penticton Panthers and Chilliwack Chiefs. In six games with the Chiefs he notched four points (2g-2a) and was assessed two minutes in penalties.

The Salmon Kings now have 10 players under contract for the 2009-10 season with forwards Kaleb Betts, Curtis Billsten, Olivier Filion, Wes Goldie, Brady Leavold, David Rutherford and Dirk Southern as well as defensemen Gary Gladue, Rob Smith and Tim Wedderburn.

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