Marcus Ortiz, a Sport Management senior, has landed a job as a professional ice hockey player even before graduating this May. Mr. Ortiz has joined the Rapid City Rush minor-league hockey team in Rapid City, S.D.
The Rapid City Rush play in the East coast Hockey League (ECHL), and is currently affiliated with the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes.
Ortiz found out that his contract would be signed the night that the Fredonia Blue Devils Men’s Ice Hockey team lost the SUNYAC playoff game against Buffalo State. He caught the next available flight to Rapid City.
Ortiz has always seen himself playing professional ice hockey since he learned how to skate when he was 3 years old. “This is a dream come true, and the money is just a bonus,” Ortiz said. Since he was signed to the team in late February 2017, he has played forward right wing in five games and will continue to play throughout his time at Fredonia until the season ends.
Ortiz is just one out of over 40 Fredonia alums who have or are currently playing professional ice hockey since the program started in 1988. “Anytime one of our players has the opportunity to play professional hockey, at whatever level, it is a tremendous opportunity that very few are afforded and we are always excited for them” says Men’s Hockey Coach Jeff Meredith.
Fans can follow Ortiz and his new teammates by going online.
