BROOMFIELD, Col – It has been a busy off-season for The Rocky Mountain Rage. After a disappointing end to the season last year, which saw the Rage edged out of a playoff spot by a single point, they have been active this off-season signing a team that will become playoff contenders.
With a core of returning players, the Rage have the makings of contenders. They have never lacked offensive firepower, but were short in defense.
They addressed that area this off season, and made some defensive additions, while maintaining the offensive potency they had last season. The core of veterans and the addition of Damon Rycroft as a player/assistant coach look to make the Rage Playoff contenders. They will have the experience that will take them through the season. And they have made some additions that will be something to watch for this season.
I look for this Rage team to make the play-offs, and surprise some people. If the defense can improve and the offensive production is similar to the past season they will be a team that cannot be overlooked.
The core of this season’s team is built around familiar names to Rage fans. Re-signing 10 from last years roster, they will carry the experience they need, and maintain the chemistry that carried them within a single point of the play-offs last season.
THE RETURNING PLAYERS
TYLER BUTLER
CHL All Star defenseman last season, Butler had a career high 52 points last season while racking up 16 goals, 36 assists. He set a new team record for scoring by a defenseman, and a new team record for longest scoring streak by scoring at least one point in 16 consecutive games (8g 16a 24pts), the 4th longest scoring streak in the CHL last season. Butler is a cornerstone of the Rage defense, and an important offensive weapon also.
DAVID MORELLI
Center David Morelli enters his 3rd year as a pro. Last season he registered 14g 13a for 27 points. He started the season slow, but racked up 24 points in the final 40 games.
COLT KING
Colt King is as tough as they come. The 6’ 2”, 220lb Left Wing played 51 games last season, finishing with 14g 23a for 37 points. King is entering his 5th season as a pro, and has at least 100 penalty minutes in each of his past 4 years. Last season, he posted 110pim and had 9 fighting majors.
PAT SUTTON
Sutton, a solid defender, has re-signed for a second year with the Rage, and his 4th year as a pro. Last season he posted 16 points with 4g 12a and 71pim.
ROB CHAPPELL
This 3rd year pro led the Rage with 141pim last season, including a team record 15 fighting majors. This is a tough blue liner with a take no prisoner attitude. Last season he went the first 57 games without a goal, then scored 4 times in 5 games, ending the season with 4g 5a.
DAYMON RYCROFT
Rycroft was the CHL Goal Scoring Champion last season racking up 48 goals. He re-signed for his second season with the Rage. He will be a player/assistant Coach for the 2008 – 09 campaign. Entering his 5th tear as a pro, Rycroft finished last season with 84 points (48g 36a) tied for 7th in the CHL. He also led the league last season with 23 power play goals. Always dangerous, he is one of the best playmakers and shooters in the CHL.
SIMON WATSON
Center Simon Watson returns for his second season with the Rage. He blasted into The CHL two years ago while playing for the Lubbock Cotton Kings. His rookie season netted him a starting position with the Southern Conference All Star Team while racking up 24g 25a 49pts. Last season with the Rage, he registered similar numbers with 23g 28a 51pts. He is a scoring threat as well as a play maker.
NICK HARLOFF
Harloff is a fourth year defenseman. Last season with the RAGE, he played in 58 games, notching16 points (2g 14a) and gathered up 58pim.
SCOTT WRAY
Last season Wray registered 40 points during the first 20 games with the Rage, including a team single game record 6 points in November. Wray suffered a knee injury on 16 Feb, and missed the final 16 games. At the time of his injury, Scott was 3rd in the CHL with 28 goals, and tied for 9th overall with 61 points. He has been working hard to re-hab his knee and return 100% for this season. A scoring threat and play maker the Rage need at full speed.
SCOTT REID
Re-signing for his second season with the Rage, Scott Reid has become the heart of the team. This CHL All Star selection set a team record with 25 wins last season (3rd highest in the CHL) with a record of 25-14-4. He posted a 3.23gaa and .900 save pct. He played in 44 games for more than 2500 minutes last season which was 3rd highest in the league.
Last season was Reid’s 4th CHL All Star nod, and he comes into this season ranked 7th in League history with 121 wins, and has 11 shutouts, which ranks him 6th.
With Reid back in net, the Rage have one of the very best in the CHL, and he can keep them in any game.
If they return to the play-offs, Reid’s playoff experience may pay off. His playoff stats are 10-10 while posting a 2.12 goals against average, and an impressive .935 save percentage. The Rage have also signed some new faces for this season. A combination of experienced pros and rookies, these signings (separate article) are aimed to give the roster the defensive help they need, and also maintain the high power offensive production the Rage is known for. Contact the author at buck.pettry@prohockeynews.com.
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