Maurizio Colella continues to excel in his first season with the Rapid City Rush despite the team’s early-season struggles.
During a three-game series against Idaho Steelheads last week, Colella tallied a point in each game.
The forward scored the second goal of the game to give the Rush a 2-0 lead at the end of the first period on Wednesday, recorded an assist on the team’s only goal on Friday and assisted the first goal of the game on Saturday.
“He’s playing hard,” Rush head coach Scott Burt said of Colella. “It seems almost every game he gets an opportunity to put the puck to the net. We need a little bit more of that.”
Colella tallied at least a point in each game of the last two weekends and finished Sunday’s matchup against Wichita with two assists.
The Tottenham, Ontario native previously played with three other ECHL teams: the Worcester Railers (2017-18), the South Carolina Stingrays (2021-22) and the Newfoundland Growlers (2021-22).
Two years ago during his last year of school at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Colella got injured. And after missing action during the COVID-19 pandemic, he signed with South Carolina and Newfoundland during 2021-22 season.
Colella didn’t get as much playing time as he wanted in his first season in the ECHL. He played in three games with the Stingrays and 10 with the Growlers. He tallied his first professional goal and assists while playing with Newfoundland.
Last year, the forward played professionally in Italy with HC Meran/O, contributing 22 points across 19 games. He scored 10 goals and assisted 12 others.
Colella said he felt like he got his feet back under him before returning to the ECHL.
“When I went over to Italy, I was able to establish myself a little bit,” Colella said. “Luckily enough, I was able to make my way back over here, prove myself back on this side of the pond, and show everyone what I can do. Burtie took a chance on me, and I’m very thankful for that.”
After 17 games he’s played with the Rush, Colella has contributed nine points with four goals and five assists.
The Ontario native said during his first season with the Rush, he’s just trying to do the little things right and continue to be consistent in his game.
“That’s the most important thing for everyone going forward,” Colella said. “Just being consistent and doing the little things. We’re getting chances and if we capitalize that’s gonna be a big difference, and that’s all it is moving forward.”
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