From a Komets press release:
The Komets announced Saturday that they have acquired veteran center David Rutherford in a trade with the Orlando Solar Bears for center Mickey Lang and future considerations.
2013-14 marks Rutherford's sixth pro season. In 21 games this season with Orlando, Rutherford has scored six goals and nine points for totals of 66 goals, 72 assists and 138 points in 177 ECHL career games.
The Ladner, British Columbia native had a stellar juniors career finishing with season highs of 31 goals and 58 points with 133 penalty minutes during 2007-08 and capping the year winning the CHL (Canadian Hockey League) Memorial Cup.
Rutherford, 26, made his pro debut in the ECHL in 2008-09 sharing stints with Charlotte and Phoenix. In 2010-11 he posted a career year with the CHL's (Central Hockey League) Bossier-Shreveport scoring team highs of 35 goals and 67 points and was named to the CHL All-Star Team while leading the Mudbugs to the CHL Presidents' Cup Championship with a team best 12 goals and added 10 assists for a playoff career high of 22 points. In 2011-12 Rutherford led the ECHL's Florida Everblades with 25 goals and ranked third on the team with 55 points in 57 regular season games before helping the Everblades win the Kelly Cup Championship scoring five goals and 12 points in 17 playoff games.
Last season the skater ranked fourth with Florida scoring 16 goals and 38 points in 35 games. Rutherford also made his AHL debut appearing in 18 games with Charlotte posting a goal and seven points.
Lang, 27, was in his first season with Fort Wayne and scored 17 goals and 26 points in 24 games. 2013-14 is Lang's third pro year after appearing with Quad City in the CHL the past two seasons.
Comments
Could be a good deal for both teams. Rutherford is about a point a game guy wherever he has played. Was part of some great Mudbugs teams with Brett Smith and Jamie Milam. Not very big, though.
So the "warmer climate" comment by the agent wasn't that far off!
Great report. I think David Rutherford is a better player than I thought the komets could get in this situation. Good work by the GM.
He's a right wing, replacing a right wing. One of the things I caught on the myriad of stories is that the K's would like to get a center. I know, I know, he's a talented player and I am grateful and glad to have him.
Hopefully he's been appraised of the situation and WANTS to play here.
Blake, for the life of me, I'm am so confused where the team may be in terms of "veteran" players. Is there any way you can provide this help?
Hopefully Vaskivuo is traded soon and things can start to settle.
Marino and Schrock are the only veterans at this time. Rutherford would be the third.
Blake you have any tape on this guy? is he a "gritty" 2-way player or a speed guy?
Sniper. 5-10, 180 but I remember him having quite an attitude on the ice, too. Chippy.
Komets should check out Brayden Irwin from Greenville. 6'5 1+ points over game. Also a center. What the komets are looking for. Would be a nice pickup.
Sounds good....when will he be in the lineup?
One down and one to go.
There's been a mistake and the Komets are the team that is also receiving future considerations.
One more thing....listening to tonights game...we are behind 2-0....Makarov gave up 2 soft goals to the Toledo team and has given up one soft goal tonight....is he really the one we want to keep....lets give the other guy a chance.
Thanks for the "veteran" status update, Blake.
I thought I heard Bob Chase report that the "considerations" part of the Lang trade would be here next week. Did I dream that? Still, and no offense to the Bob Chase fans, he's said many things on the air which never come true. Don't know what to believe.
I have Comcast and two MyTV stations (ch 18 and 252). Both are totally blank although the info says ECHL hockey. Anybody know or heard what's going on?
I'm sure going to take in Sound Off Monday night. Promises to be pretty interesting.
Former Mudbug fans say that Rutherford was another one of their favorites, just like Smitty. Hope the next player (future consideration) is just as good.