On Monday November 2nd, the Rapid City Rush announced the signings of winger Alex Rodriguez and centreman Avery Peterson. Both parties agreed to terms on standard player contracts for the upcoming season. Both players are joining the Rush after their teams withdrew from the upcoming season.
Rodriguez, 24-years-old, spent the previous two seasons with the Norfolk Admirals. The six-foot, 190-pound winger recorded 16 goals along with 13 assists last season. This came after putting up five goals along with five assists in his first season of pro hockey.
Rodriguez joined the Norfolk Admirals following his his senior season at Augsburg University. The native of Miami, Florida began his college career playing for RPI (Rensselear Polytech Institution) before transferring to Augsburg for his junior season. Rodriguez also played one year in the USHL for the Sioux City Musketeers. During that one season of junior, Rodriguez recorded six goals along with 11 assists in 51 games played.
Peterson joins Rapid City from the dormant Atlanta Gladiators. Last season, the lefty put up 16 goals along with 13 assists in 51 games played. This would be his second year of pro hockey. During the 2018-19 season, the 6’3, 209-pound centreman spent two games in Boise, playing for the Idaho Steelheads.
He then played in six for the Admirals and seven for the Fuel before landing in a consistent role with the Atlanta Gladiators. That season, he played in 26 games, having tallied four goals along with 11 assists.
Prior to making the jump pro, Peterson split his college career with two different teams. He began by scoring 21 points in 39 games played for the Nebraska – Omaha Mavericks. That was before playing 14 games and tallying one assist during his sophomore season.
He then transferred to the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, scoring 13 goals along with 13 assists. He did so through the next two seasons, appearing in a total of 55 games. Coincidentally, before committing to college, he also played for the Sioux City Musketeers. However, it was one year before Rodriguez would skate for the team.
Rodriguez and Peterson will join the Rapid City Rush for the upcoming season in 2020-21. The first game on schedule for Rapid City is December 11th against the Utah Grizzlies.