ECHL: Rapid City Rush Sign Multi-Sport Division I Athlete

Junior and Collegiate Career

Jake Ratzlaff started his junior career after he finished high school, joining the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL. Ratzlaff played in three games with the Gamblers.

Ratzlaff then had a very unique experience as he started college, but was not playing hockey. Instead, Ratzlaff was playing Division I football at the University of Wisconsin, where he spent two seasons. After some injury issues, his football career came to an early end, but his hockey career started back up as he returned to the USHL, playing for the Madison Capitols. In seven games, Ratzlaff had one goal with two penalty minutes and a -2.

The Rosemount, Minnesota native then returned to Minnesota and resumed his collegiate career, now playing Division I hockey at the University of St. Thomas. In the 2023-24 season, his first with the Tommies, Ratzlaff saw his season end pretty early due to injuries and needing to fix and heal some of his prior injuries from football. In his two seasons with the Tommies, Ratzlaff played in 23 games where he had one assist with 13 penalty minutes and a -3.

What He Brings To Rapid City

Jake Ratzlaff is a defenseman who provides a lot of size and physicality. Ratzlaff’s experience in football really helps add to his physicality on the ice, which can really help a team gain momentum. Rapid City has had issues with having smaller rosters in the past, causing the team to be pushed around more. Adding a player like Ratzlaff will not only add size, but it will also make it harder for the team to be pushed around by opposing players. The 2025-26 season will be Ratzlaff’s first season of professional hockey. So, it may take him a bit of time to adjust from college to the ECHL, but he should develop into a big, physical defenseman for the Rush.