RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Rapid City Rush, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Arizona Coyotes, announced that defenseman Mark Auk has re-signed with the team for the 2020-21 season.
Auk was acquired from the Orlando Solar Bears (through the Toledo Walleye) at last season’s trade deadline. He played in the last game of the season with the Rush, earning an assist in a 7-4 loss to the Utah Grizzlies. Before joining the Rush, he appeared in 30 games with Toledo, earning 10 points (3g-7a) along with a +5 rating.
Originally from Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, Auk spent the 2018-19 season in Finland’s Liiga with Lukko, earning a 10 points (1g-9a) in 47 games. He made his professional debut in the 2017-18 season with the American Hockey League’s Iowa Wild, and earned his first goal in his debut on April 6, 2018.
Before turning pro, Auk played four seasons at Michigan Tech where he registered 84 points (21g-63a) in 150 games and captured back-to-back WCHA championships in 2017 and 2018. In addition to playing college hockey, he spent two seasons in the United States Hockey League with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders posting 39 points (11g-28a) in 93 games.