Rush add Kingston, Roche

RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Rapid City Rush, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Calgary Flames, announced that forward Rhett Kingston and defenseman Billy Roche have signed with the team for the 2023-24 season.

Kingston spent last season primarily with the SPHL’s Macon Mayhem where he tallied 37 points (23g-14a) in 47 played. He led all SPHL rookies in goals and was nominated for the league’s Rookie of the Year award. His offensive output earned him a three-game call-up to the Savannah Ghost Pirates before returning to finish the year in Macon.

The Black Diamond, Alberta native was a three-year letter-winner at Western Michigan University where he finished his career with 21 points (12g-9a). Kingston transfered to SUNY-Plattsburgh during his senior season, but only skated in two games. 

Roche finished his collegiate career at Curry College last season scoring 10 points in 26 games for the Colonels. After wrapping up his college season, he joined the SPHL's Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs for their final three regular-season games and scored the game-winning goal in his first professional outing. Roche and the Rail Yard Dawgs won the SPHL President's Cup championship last year.

The Braintree, Massachusetts native spent his first four college seasons at Suffolk University where he played 75 games and notched 30 points (8g-22a).