Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 is a day Rory Kerins will never forget.
The former Rapid City Rush center received word that he has been called up to the National Hockey League’s Calgary Flames.
It’s the first NHL call-up for Kerins, who has been with the Calgary Wranglers of the American Hockey League. He is currently the AHL’s and Wranglers’ leading goal-scorer, recording 21 goals in 34 games in his third professional campaign. His 34 points ranks second in the league.
The 22-year-old left-shot forward spent the majority of his rookie year with Rapid City, where he posted 17 goals and 37 points in 38 games as one of the Rush’s top performers.
Kerins was drafted by the Flames in the sixth round (174th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft. Before turning pro, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Kerins finished his junior career with the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League, collecting 118 points, including 43 goals, during the 2021-22 season.
The native of Caledon, Ont. will become the eighth Rush alumnus to play in the National Hockey League when he makes his debut. He would join Michael Bunting, Adin Hill, Erik Kallgren, Marek Langhamer, Dysin Mayo, Dakota Mermis, and Ivan Prosvetov.
The Rush hosts the Tahoe Knight Monsters at The Monument Ice Arena on Friday for the start of a three-game series. Friday is Nugget’s Birthday, presented by Granite Automotive. Puck drop is set for 7:05 Pm MT.
