Kostolansky returns to Rush

The Rapid City Rush, like the other ECHL teams is putting together its roster for the 2015-16 seasons with summer signings.

Starting a busy month of signings was the return to the team of defenseman Brett Kostolansky on the same day the Rush also added veteran defender Kirill Tulupov who last season played in Wichita.

Kostolansky, a 25-year-old, a 5’10,” 181 lbs. native of Denver, CO, is entering his third season of pro hockey, all with the Rush who signed him right after he finished his fourth and final year at University of New Hampshire. He also spent two seasons at Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep School in Minnesota and one season in the USHL with the Chicago Steel.

Last season, Kostolansky played in 60 games and chipped in 14 points (1g, 13a) while sitting 24 penalty minutes and finished as a +5 player for the Rush.

Tulupov, a 27-year-old 6′,3″ 227 lbs. defenseman from Moscow, Russia, was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the Third Round (67th Overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft in between seasons of play in the QMJHL.

He completed three seasons in the QMJHL split between Chicoutimi and Victoriaville before embarking on a pro career, beginning with three seasons played mostly in Europe. Tulupov had some stints in the KHL along with other leagues in Russia, Kazakhstan, Slovakia and Denmark. He played 33 games in the American Hockey League with Oklahoma City in 2011-12, his first pro games in North American and then returned to Europe until near the end of the following season when he appeared in 15 games for Arizona in the CHL.

In 63 games with Wichita last season, Tulupov collected 21 points (7g, 14a) and 85 penalty minutes, finishing the season as a +1.

Pommells signs with Rush

Having appeared in four playoff games the previous season, Spencer Pommells will return to Rapid City for his first full season of pro hockey this season after signing a deal in mid July.

A 25-year-old, 5’10,” 173 lbs. native of Grande Prairie, AB, Pommells fininished his fourth and final season at the University of Windsor last season and signed on immediately after with Florida in the ECHL where he played 10 games before being acquired by the Rush on the eve of the post season.

He picked up three points (2g, 1a) with Florida and added another goal in four playoff games with the Rush and he will still be considered a league rookie this season.

Cohen joins Rush

After playing the past two seasons in Europe, Zach Cohen, a 28-year-old, 6’3,” 192 lbs. winger from Schaumberg, IL is returning to the ECHL for the upcoming season after signing with the Rush.

The veteran forward has plenty of North American pro experience as well playing parts of three seasons in Cleveland with the AHL’s Lake Erie Monsters before splitting his time in the 2012-13 season between Greenville and Bakersfield in the ECHL. The following season he headed to Eastern Europe for a couple of seasons.

Last season, playing in the MOL Liga which has teams in Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, Cohen played in 42 games and collected 49 points (20g, 29a) and 56 points and finished the season with a +21 rating.