The Rapid City Rush have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Zack Hoffman for the 2024-25 ECHL season.
Collegiate Career
Before starting his collegiate career, Zack Hoffman played for Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Hoffman spent three seasons there but only played in two as his sophomore season was canceled due to COVID. He played in 32 games at St. Mary’s, where he had one goal and three assists for four points. Hoffman had 34 penalty minutes and a plus/minus of -8.
Professional Career
After finishing his time in USports, Hoffman signed his first professional contract with the Fayetteville Marksmen in the SPHL to finish the 2021-22 season. Hoffman played in 25 games where he had one goal and four assists for five points. He had 30 penalty minutes and a plus/minus of +22. Hoffman played in three playoff games with Fayetteville, where he had zero goals and one assist for one point. He had seven penalty minutes and a plus/minus of -3.
Hoffman then signed in the ECHL with the Wichita Thunder for the 2022-23 season. He played 52 games with them, during which he had six assists. He had 69 penalty minutes and a plus/minus of -11.
After one season in Wichita, Hoffman signed with the Rapid City Rush. He played in 71 games with the Rush in the 2023-24 season, where he had three goals and ten assists for 13 points. He had 76 penalty minutes and a plus/minus of -10.
Impact on the 2024-25 Rapid City Rush (Opinion)
Bringing back Zack Hoffman should really help Rapid City’s blue line, as the team has lost the majority of their defensemen from last season already. Hoffman’s return should help bring experience to the blue line and should help the team improve defensively. The 2024-25 season will only be his second with the Rush, but through his one season with the Rush, Hoffman proved that he can be a solid and reliable defenseman that always shows up, as he played in 71 of Rapid City’s 72 games in the 2023-24 season. With Rapid City also losing many of their leadership players, Hoffman is somebody who could end up taking on a leadership role with the team next season.
