Former Viper Reaney Re-Signs With Rapid City:

Former Vernon Vipers forward, Les Reaney has been signed by the CHL Rapid City Rush, Reaney was just waived by the ECHL Elmira Jackals. Reaney played two seasons in Vernon (2002-04) before being traded to the BCHL Williams Lake Timberwolves in his final season of junior hockey. Reaney played last year with the CHL Rapid City Rush.

This is posted on the Rush website:

Rush Re-Sign Playoff MVP

Oct 14, 2010

Rapid City, SD -The Rapid City Rush announced today that center Les Reaney has returned for the 2010-11 season. The signing brings back last season’s leading scorer and CHL Playoff MVP. Reaney, who named to the 2010 All-Star Team, led the Rush with 86 regular season points and 26 total points in the playoffs.

“After Les had made the decision to sign in the ECHL, I certainly didn’t expect to see him back in Rapid City this season. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out as he had anticipated. With top-end players returning from Europe and the abundance of NHL/AHL contracted players, this has resulted in a number of ECHL teams receiving more contracted players than anticipated,” said Rush head coach Joe Ferras. “For the Rush, any time you can pick up a player that has all of the attributes and talents that Les possesses, it is great for our hockey club. With Les scoring highlight-reel goals as well as becoming a premier power-forward in the CHL, he instantly became a fan favorite.”

The Ceylon, Saskatchewan native had a breakout season last year, racking up 28 goals and 58 assists for 86 points and 150 penalty minutes in 64 regular season games. Compared to the rest of the league, Reaney finished fourth in assists and fifth in overall points. Reaney led the Rush in assists (58), points (86) and tied for the team lead with 2 shorthanded goals and finished second in rating (+22), penalty minutes (150), and powerplay points (25).

“After elevating his play in the post-season, leading the Rush to the CHL championship and now knowing what sacrifice it takes to achieve that goal, I expect Les to build off of that success,” continued Ferras. “With the number of new bodies in our lineup, we expect him to be a true leader both on and off the ice this season.”

Among the 2009-10 milestones, the 26-year-old scored the first-ever Rush hat trick at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center (12/5 vs. TUL), collected his 100th career point (1/9 vs. BOS), had a 10-game point streak from January 28th through February 16th, and set a Rush all-time high with five points in a game, (1g, 4a - 2/28 @ COL).

For his efforts, Reaney earned a spot on the 2010 CHL All-Star Team and was named to the 2010 All-CHL Team.

“I am very excited to return,” said Reaney. “I never really wanted to leave Rapid City, I just made a decision that I thought was in my best interest. I’m grateful to coach Ferras and the organization for the opportunity to return to the Rush and the town of Rapid City. From day one back in 2008-09 when I was reassigned by the Oilers (NHL) and returning last season, to be a part of such an incredible run has been a highlight of my career as a professional. I’ll be able to meet up with the team in Fort Wayne for the first game, so it couldn’t be better timing. I’m pumped to just go out and play and defend our championship.”

Reaney’s strong play continued into the postseason, leading the Rush and finishing 2nd overall with 26 points in 17 games. After the Rush clinched the CHL championship, Reaney was named the playoffs Most Valuable Player.

The third-year pro began with the Rush in the fall of 2008, appearing in 8 games for Rapid City at the start of the 2008-09 season where he collected 5 goals, including a game-winning goal for the first win in Rush history (10/24 @ CRP).

Prior to turning pro, Reaney played three years of NCAA Division-1 hockey at Niagara University, collecting 34 goals and 65 assists in 97 games. In 2006-07, he was named to the 2nd team All-CHA for the second consecutive year and in 2005-06 was named co-Rookie of the Year in the CHA while leading the league in scoring (13-27-40). Before heading to Niagara, Reaney led the BCHL in scoring (38-62-100) while with the Williams Lake Timberwolves.