Blue Ridge find a brick wall in the crease with the signing of Parker Rutherford to PTO

Wytheville, VA – The Blue Ridge Bobcats have added a brick wall in the crease with the signing of Rookie Parker Rutherford to a Professional Tryout.

Rutherford spent the last four seasons in the ACHA with the Robert Morris Colonials. In 18 games last season, he had a win-loss record of 14-3-1 and a .926 save percentage. Including one game making 62 saves and only allowing one goal.

The 25-year-old Rookie out of Fort Wayne, IN uses his speed to control every aspect in and out of the crease creating an aggressive and difficult force to penetrate for attackers moving into the zone. 

With a 5’10” frame Rutherford works a slight disadvantage, but also works in his favor to allow for the goaltender to be a little bit more aggressive and faster on his feet covering the entire zone to lead defenders on the backend.

Prior to his time in university, Rutherford played for the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings and the Chicago Cougars in the USPHL from 2017 to 2019. Having his best season in 2018 with the Rapids Riverkings holding a .851 save percentage.

Rutherford’s calmness in the crease plus his speed made picking him up an easy decision for Head Coach Vojtech Zemlicka.

“Parker is coming out of Robert Morris University, where he’s been a wall for them over the last four years. I’ve talked to a few coaches from the ACHA and they’ve told me he’s been outstanding. I actually watched one of his games last season where he played against one of the best ACHA teams, the Liberty Flames and he made 62 saves and allowed only one goal which is incredible. He’s very quick in the net, he’s great at finding loose pucks and rebounds, he’s very calm and always finds a way to be in control of all situations on the ice. He’s a student of the game and he’s dedicated to becoming better and better every day,” Zemlicka said.

You can catch Parker Rutherford and the rest of the Blue Ridge Bobcats for their home opener and the start of the inaugural season on Friday, October 20th at 7:30 p.m. inside the Apex Center(The Den). Don't miss any of the action this season and pick up your season tickets now at https://wkf.ms/3QG3VmC.

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