The Rapid City Rush have announced that they have claimed 6’1″ rookie forward Braeden Tuck off waivers from the Norfolk Admirals.
Junior Career
Braeden Tuck spent his junior career playing in the BCHL for the Trail Smoke Eaters and the West Kelowna Warriors. In 165 games, Tuck had 39 goals and 69 assists for 108 points with 25 penalty minutes. In 38 playoff games, Tuck had 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points with six penalty minutes. Tuck captained the Smoke Eaters in the 2018-19 season.
Collegiate Career
Tuck spent five seasons playing Division I hockey at Sacred Heart University. In his five seasons with SHU, Tuck played in 157 games where he had 34 goals and 74 assists for 108 points. He had 14 penalty minutes and a plus/minus of +14. Tuck ended his collegiate career with 27 multipoint games and four games where he had three or more points. He also had 200 shots and 65 blocks in his five collegiate seasons.
Tuck was named the AHA Rookie of the Year and was named to the AHA All-Rookie Team in the 2019-20 season. He was also named to the AHA Second All-Conference Team in the 2020-21 season and the AHA Third All-Conference Team in the 2021-22 season.
Tuck is a forward who is able to score and is also able to set up his teammates to score goals. Tuck also helps add some more size to the Rush roster for the 2024-25 season coming in at 6’1″. It may take him a little bit of time to settle in and adjust to the different style of play in the ECHL, but he should be a great forward for the Rush once he settles in and figures out how he fits into the team. The 2024-25 season will be Tuck’s first season playing at the professional season and first season playing with the Rush.
The 2024 Rapid City Rush Training Camp will run until Thursday, October 17th. The season will officially begin on Saturday, October 19th, 2024 against the Tulsa Oilers. The Rush’s Opening Weekend at home is set for Friday, October 25th, and Saturday, October 26th.