Christian Rapp is heading home and to the next level.
On Monday, July 7, it was announced the Quesnel River Rush forward has committed to the Northwood University Timberwolves in the American Collegiate Hockey Association for the upcoming season.
“I have heard good things about Northwood University and it gets you excited,” said Rapp, whose hometown of Dexter, Michigan is only two hours away from the team's home base in Midland, MI.
After playing for the Ironwood Lumberjacks of the Superior International Junior Hockey League, Rapp joined the River Rush last November. In total, he played in 24 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) games, recording three goals and adding an assist.
“The KIJHL was huge for my development,” said Rapp. “I’ve been around and played on a lot of different teams. Once I got to Quesnel, it felt like home. The organization is run professionally. The way their management runs the organization, all the way down to the coaching staff, it’s special. It gives you as a player a new confidence that you may not have had.”
In the 2023-24 season, Rapp played in B.C.'s other two Junior A Tier 2 leagues, suiting up for the Pacific Junior Hockey League's Chilliwack Jets and Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League's Oceanside Generals, before joining River Rush for the 2024-25 season.
“The guy can move his feet. I really liked him,” said River Rush head coach and general manager Jeremy LeBlanc. “Even in a short period of time, I really saw him develop and be more confident with the puck. He was moving his feet, getting to the puck quickly and looking to make a play right away. He is always going to have a good attitude. Christian is a really good kid, who comes to work everyday. I'm really happy that he got to move on.”
