The Rapid City Rush have announced that defenseman Carter Robertson will return for his second season with the Rush for the 2023-24 season. Robertson is the first defenseman the team has announced thus far.
Carter Robertson joined the Rush in November of the 2022-23 season from a trade with the Norfolk Admirals. When Robertson joined the Rush, he immediately found his groove, both offensively and defensively. In 55 games played with the Rush, Robertson had five goals and 22 assists for 27 points. He had 48 penalty minutes and a team-leading plus/minus of +13. Robertson also leads all defensemen on the Rush with his five goals.
The 2023-24 season will be Robertson’s third ECHL season. Robertson has spent his time in the ECHL split between the Norfolk Admirals and Rapid City Rush. He has played 96 ECHL games, with nine goals and 29 assists for 38 points. He has 76 penalty minutes and a plus/minus of -7.
My Thoughts on This Signing
The Rush acquired Robertson in a trade for Callum Fryer and Tanner Schachle. I was very skeptical of the trade at first as the Rush were getting rid of two players for one, but I would say the trade ended up being a win for the Rush. Right from the get-go, he gave 100% effort the entire game, every game. Robertson is also a great offensive defenseman with a wicked slapshot and one-timer. While he did not have many goals, he got the puck to the front of the net where it would get deflected, with him ending up getting the invisible “third assist.” He is also one of the only defensemen from the Rush last season, besides Quinn Wichers, who would lead the charge up ice and would be the first to get back when the puck would get turned over. I think this is an amazing signing for the Rush; we should see a lot of positive outcomes from it.
