The Rapid City Rush have announced that they have re-signed forward Garrett Klotz for the 2024-25 ECHL season.
Junior Career
Garrett Klotz started his junior career in the 2005-06 season where he played in the WHL. In his three WHL seasons, Klotz played in 150 games, splitting his time between the Red Deer Rebels and Saskatoon Blades. Klotz had five goals and five assists for ten points with 229 penalty minutes and a plus/minus of -21.
Professional Career
After completing his junior career, Klotz started his professional career. Through his 16 professional seasons, Klotz has played in the AHL (2008-13), CHL (2010-11, 2013-14), EIHL (2016-17), and the ECHL (2010-11, 2012-13, 2014-16, 2017-now). In his five AHL seasons, Klotz split his time between the Adirondack/Philadelphia Phantoms and the Norfolk Admirals. In 157 AHL games, he had four goals and seven assists for 11 points with 193 penalty minutes and a plus/minus of -24. Klotz played for the Bloomington Prairie Thunder and the Allen Americans during his two seasons in the CHL. In 104 games, Klotz had 15 goals and 23 assists for 38 points. He had 386 penalty minutes and a plus/minus of +22.
Klotz spent one season overseas playing for the Coventry Blaze in the EIHL. In 52 games, Klotz had five goals and two assists for seven points with 80 penalty minutes. Klotz has spent the majority of his career playing in the ECHL, where he has spent a total of 12 seasons. In the ECHL, Klotz has played with the Greenville Road Warriors, Fort Wayne Komets, Indy Fuel, Wichita Thunder, Elmira Jackals, Quad City Mallards, Jacksonville IceMen, Kansas City Mavericks, Utah Grizzlies, and Rapid City Rush. In 347 ECHL games, Klotz has 22 goals and 42 assists for 64 points. He has 873 penalty minutes and a plus/minus of -69. In the 2023-24 season, Klotz split his time between the Rapid City Rush and Kansas City Mavericks. In 12 games between the two teams, Klotz had one assist with five penalty minutes and a plus/minus of -4. Klotz received the Blaine Jarvis Heart and Soul Award from the Rush in the 2023-24 season, an award given to a Rush player who exemplifies professionalism, determination, perseverance, work ethic, excellence in the locker room and community, and commitment to the game.
Klotz is not the most offensive player, but he is a big body on the ice who is not afraid to lay a hit or stand up for his teammates. Klotz is also a great leader on his team and a voice in the locker room. He is still a player on the ice that other players have a lot of respect for and do not want to mess with, which could be a huge help for the Rush. Last season, they got pushed around a lot by other teams, so having a guy like Klotz back on the ice could help the team get pushed around less.
The 2024-25 season will be Klotz’s 13th ECHL season and eighth season with the Rush.
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