Former Vernon Vipers defenceman-forward Erik Felde has been traded to the Rapid City Rush. Felde now joins former Vipers defenceman, Cody Bostock & former Vipers forward, Les Reaney who also play for the Rush.Rush Acquire Three Players in Completion of Trades
May 14, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL) Rapid City Rush
(Rapid City, SD) - Just over a week after claiming the Ray Miron President's Cup, the Rapid City Rush have added a trio of players to the roster for next season. The Rush receive forwards Joe Guenther and Erik Felde from the Amarillo Gorillas along with defenseman Scott Kalinchuk from the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. All three players join Rapid City as future considerations from trades made during the 2009-10 campaign.
"After the success we had this season and with hopes of getting the core players back, to add three quality players is fantastic for our team going forward," said Head Coach Joe Ferras. "Having previously coached Joe Guenther in Amarillo and knowing the type of character and compete level coupled with Joe's ability to play both wings and knack around the net, makes him an instant threat in our lineup. Erik [Felde] was a player that made instant impact against us throughout the regular season. He has tremendous speed, along with the ability to play both forward and defense, and has tons of family here in Rapid City that should make the transition easier. Being familiar with Danton Cole, Scott's [Kalinchuk] coach in Alabama-Huntsville, and having the chance to see him log tons of minutes in seven game series, we know he will be a nice addition to defensive corp."
Directly following training camp, the Rush dealt defenseman Jake Obermeyer and goaltender Mike Brown to the Gorillas in exchange for future considerations. With that, the Rush selected forward Joe Guenther and forward/defenseman Erik Felde from Amarillo's final roster.
Guenther is a veteran winger coming off of one of his most productive seasons where he finished 2nd on the team in goals and points. Last year, the Buffalo, New York native collected 27 goals and 25 assists for 52 points, all of which rank second among his career highs. Guenther was named Oakley CHL Player of the Week (10/19/09) for his work on opening weekend (4-3-7). The 8-year veteran will be reunited with coaches Joe Ferras and Mark DeSantis who were a part of the 2005-06 Amarillo Gorillas.
"I'm very pumped to get chance to play for Joe Ferras again, one of my favorite coaches of all time," said Guenther. "I've heard nothing but great things about the town of Rapid City and what a first class franchise it is. I'm also very excited to reunite with all of my teammates from my days in Amarillo. Overall, it's a great feeling to join the Rush and hopefully we'll be able to defend the championship."
Felde is a versatile skater that can play both wing and defense. In his second season, Felde compiled 7 goals and 20 points in 39 games for Amarillo. The Anchorage, Alaska native had a stretch of 10 points in 10 games from January 9th through the 31st.
Defenseman Scott Kalinchuk completes a trade in which the Rush sent defenseman Clay Plume to Bossier-Shreveport in exchange for defenseman Kirk Medernach and future considerations.
Kalinchuk is a 6'1", 195-pound defenseman who spent last year's rookie season with the Mudbugs as well as the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL. In 48 games with the Mudbugs last season, the Bowsman, Manitoba native collected 5 goals, 12 assists for 17 points to go along with 93 penalty minutes. Prior to that, Kalinchuk played four years of college hockey with Alabama-Huntsville where he accumulated 45 points (11g, 34a) and 136 PIM.
"It feels great to become a part of the Rush," said Kalinchuk. "I enjoyed my time in Bossier City, but it's also pretty neat to go to a place that just won it all. To know that Joe [Ferras] wanted me, especially after the season they just had, is a great feeling. I was really surprised to be joining a new team, but once I heard it was Rapid City, it was a definite feather in my cap."
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