ECHL: Rapid City Rush Sign Forward From the SPHL

The Rapid City Rush have announced that they have signed forward Simon Boyko for the 2024-25 ECHL season. From Mississauga, Ontario, Boyko stands at 5’10” and plays primarily as a right winger.

Collegiate Career

Simon Boyko started his collegiate career in the 2019-20 season playing Division I hockey for the University of Vermont. Boyko spent two seasons at Vermont, playing in 30 games. He had three goals and two assists for five points with two penalty minutes and a plus/minus of -6. After his two seasons at Vermont, Boyko transferred to Aurora University, where he played Division III hockey for his last two collegiate seasons. Boyko played in 40 games at Aurora, where he had 22 goals and 22 assists for 44 points. He had 21 penalty minutes and a plus/minus of +4.

Professional Career

After completing his collegiate career, Boyko signed with the Norfolk Admirals in the ECHL to extend his 2022-23 season. He played in five games with the Admirals, where he did not register any points, had two penalty minutes, and had a plus/minus of +1. Boyko then finished the season playing in the SPHL with the Macon Mayhem. He played in six games for the Mayhem, and he had one goal.

Boyko joined the Fayetteville Marksmen for the 2023-24 season, playing in 39 games. He scored 27 goals and 28 assists for 55 points, had nine penalty minutes, and had a plus/minus of +20. Boyko also played in two playoff games with the Marksmen, scoring one goal. He had two penalty minutes and a plus/minus of -3.

Boyko was called up to the Rapid City Rush during the 2023-24 season and played 19 games with them. He scored eight goals and three assists for 11 points, had four penalty minutes, and had a plus/minus of -2. After being sent back to the SPHL from the Rush, Boyko continued to have an amazing rookie season, eventually being named the SPHL Rookie of the Year. Boyko was also named to the SPHL All-Rookie Team and the SPHL Second All-Star Team.

Impact on the 2024-25 Rapid City Rush (Opinion)

The addition of Simon Boyko should be a huge help for the Rush in the 2024-25 season. When Boyko joined the Rush last season, he joined a Rush team that was shorthanded and struggling. Boyko was able to mesh with the team, making an almost immediate impact on the team. Boyko only spent a couple of months with the Rush last season but still found a lot of success. Having the chance to make an impact on the team from the start of the season should allow Boyko to continue to find success and find himself a permanent spot on the roster.