Today, the Rapid City Rush announced that former captain and defenseman Kenton Helgesen has been re-signed.
Last season with the Rush, Helgesen was only able to play in 41 games before his season was ended early with a lower-body injury. Through those 41 games, Helgesen had zero goals and 14 assists for 14 points. He also had 74 penalty minutes and was tied second for plus/minus, with Jimmy Soper and Ilya Nikolaev at +9. Through his six seasons in the ECHL, Helgesen has spent his time with the Utah Grizzlies, Indy Fuel, Orlando Solar Bears, Norfolk Admirals, Idaho Steelheads, and the Rapid City Rush. Helgesen has played in a total of 204 ECHL games, where he has 18 goals and 58 assists for 76 points. He has 221 penalty minutes and a plus/minus of -21.
Bringing Kenton Helgesen back could really help the Rush, as he was the captain last season and was a big presence on defense last season. He is a pretty quiet person but has been a great leader for the team the last couple seasons. While Kenton may not wear the “C,” he will most likely still be a leader on the team, both on and off the ice. Kenton was arguably one of the best defensemen the Rush had last season when he was healthy. But he can also play a physical game when needed and will lay some hits and finish some checks. He is not a fighter, but if he needs to drop the gloves for a teammate, he will.
Kenton may not play this weekend as he was put on reserve by the team. So, it is still unclear when he will play his first game of the 2023-24 season and if he has fully recovered from his injury.
The Rapid City Rush have also put Riley Ginnell on injured reserve after only playing in one game with the Rush.
