PENSACOLA, FLA – Last season the name Kyle Rank was one of the most talked about in the SPHL. The reigning two-time Goaltender of the Year for the Peoria Rivermen was the target of a retaliatory action that rocked the league with controversy and resulted in record suspensions.
“Pensacola is a wonderful city with much to do,” said Rank, who is spending the off-season in Florida. “I’m a personal trainer so I’m trying to help as many people here as possible get fit. There is great golf here, great beaches, and wonderful food. I’m trying to take it all in and enjoy everything.”
Coming to Peoria from the Fayetteville Fireantz in 2013, Rank posted a league-best .942 SVS% with 1.79 GAA in the remaining 25 regular season games with the Rivermen and earned All-Star First Team honors.
On December 19, 2015, Kyle was brutally blindsided by Columbus forward Craig Simchuck in protest to alleged roughing of Columbus goalie Shannon Szbados. Rivermen head coach Jean-Guy Trudel asserted that Bechard verbally threatened to have Rank “taken out”. Bechard and Simchuck both denied the incident was contrived from the bench; Simchuck stating that “frustrations were boiling over and the whole team had the same mentality.” Simchuck received a league record 28 game suspension in addition to Bechard’s 6 games.
Rank suffered a major concussion and was hospitalized. He came back to play the best post season of his career with a league best .949 SVS% and All Star Honors.
“I am very disappointed in how it turned out,” said Rank on losing the trophy to Pensacola. “I believe both teams deserve credit for such an electric finals. One-goal games definitely give the fans excitement. To prepare for a successful last part of the season boiled down to just focusing on doing all the right things you’re trained to do.”
“Kyle is a great professional,” said coach Trudel. “His preparation is second to none. He loves the process of being a pro. He’s big on nutrition, workouts, and mental visualizing; a very smart goaltender.”
Rank plans to be on the ice again in October, but has not indicated at this point that it will be with Peoria. In the meantime, Kyle is excited for Blue Angels weekend. “Pensacola rallies around those great Americans and shows them so much love and support,” said Kyle. “It is awe inspiring.”
The record books will remember Rank not as the guy who took the hit or stood at the center of controversy, but as a contender who stepped up his game in the midst of adversity.
Photos courtesy of Jeremie Allen
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