Rush Sign Kyle Peto

[chilly666]

(Rapid City, SD) – At a press conference held today at Boston’s Restaurant, the Rapid City Rush announced the signing of defenseman Kyle Peto for the 2012-13 season. In addition, the club unveiled the 5th-year anniversary logo and theme that will be used throughout the upcoming season.

Peto, 29, has been an offensive force from the blueline since his pro debut in 2006-07 and most recently for the Colorado Eagles. Last year, the Lethbridge, Alberta native poured in 26 points (2G, 24A) and added a creer-high 64 penalty minutes in 69 games.

“It’s very exciting to get an elite defenseman,” said Head Coach Joe Ferras. “Kyle has been a big time player his entire career and was a huge member of the defensive corps with the Eagles, so we’re very familiar with him. To get his leadership and skill is huge and he will be a vital part of our organization going forward. Kyle is a tremendous skater and a prototype defenseman for the new game. He can activate on the rush and use his skating ability to get back in the play. He’ll be a big contributor on the offensive side and a big part of our special teams, especially the powerplay.”

The 6-foot, 190-pound defenseman has previously played two seasons in the CHL, skating for the Corpus Christi IceRayz in 2009-10 before joining the Colorado Eagles where he has played each of the past two years (2011-12 in the ECHL). In back-to-back CHL seasons, Peto led his teams’ defensive corps in scoring, accumulating 46 points (13G, 33A) in 64 games with the Icerays, and 54 points (7G, 47A) in 63 games with the Eagles. In 127 games in the CHL, Peto has racked up 100 points (20G, 80A) and 95 PIM.

Peto was a member of the Kelly Cup champion Idaho Steelheads in 2006-07 before splitting the 2008-09 season with the Florida Everblades and the Mississippi Sea Wolves, leading the latter's d-men in scoring with 24 points (4-20-24) in 59 games. In 181 total games in the ECHL, Peto has registered 74 points (15G, 59A) and 170 PIMs.

Peto played in the 2010 CHL All-Star Game, registering three assists and a game-high +4 plus/minus rating. In back-to-back CHL seasons, he finished as the league's third-highest scoring defenseman, and tied for the league lead among blueliners in assists (46) during 2010-11.

Prior to turning pro, Peto played four seasons at Minnesota State University (Mankato), tallying 78 points (14-64-78) and 151 PIMs in 111 games.