On Thursday September 24th, the Rapid City Rush announced the re-signing of American defensemen Kyle Froese. The two sides agreed to terms on a standard player contract for the upcoming season. Rapid City claimed Froese off of waivers last season, but were unable to get him into the lineup. This of course was the situation because the league halted play due to COVID-19.
Froese, who stands at six-feet and weighs 190 pounds, is a stout defensive defensemen. The Traverse City, Michigan native began his ECHL career with the Newfoundland Growlers last season. In doing so, he played 20 games for the defending champions of the league’s Kelly Cup. Froese recorded four assists while also seeing a plus/minus of +15 during that stretch.
The defensemen was loaned to the Growlers from the SPHL’s Pensacola Ice Flyers. Froese played in 21 games for the Flyers where he recorded one goal to along with four assists. His poise on the defensive side of the ice earned him the loan to the ECHL. As such, he will get the chance to continue his development in Rapid City.
Froese began his minor league career playing 149 games in the NAHL. He played for his home city’s Traverse City North Stars, the Soo Eagles and the Corpus Christi Ice Rays.
He then started his collegiate hockey career where he spanned four seasons with the Alaska Nanooks. There, he played 24 games before spending his final year with the UW-Eau Claire Blugolds. His five goals and five assists in 28 games were the highest of his college and professional career so far.
As recent signings, Froese joins Hayden Lavigne, Gary Haden, Jake Wahlin, Shawn Boutin and Bo Brauer for the Rush. The 2020-21 ECHL season is set to begin on the fourth of December.