KEARNEY, Neb. – Tri-City Storm Head Coach Jim Hulton announced the acquisition of goaltender Jared Rutledge from the Janesville Jets of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) Tuesday in exchange for goaltender Blake Weyrick.

Rutledge is no stranger to the USHL, having played in a total of 81 contests over four seasons with both Team USA and the Green Bay Gamblers.

Last season, Rutledge appeared in 45 regular season games for Green Bay, mounting a record of 25-16-4 with a goals against average of 2.77 and a save percentage at .907.

A big part of the team’s success down the stretch, Rutledge helped the Gamblers secure a spot in the 2014 Clark Cup playoffs and started all of the team’s four postseason games in the opening round. In the final two playoff games, both 1-0 losses, Rutledge made a total of 52 saves while attempting to keep his team in the series.

The Skokie, Ill. native played for the United States National Team Development Program for two seasons from 2010-12, before joining the University of Michigan Wolverines for the 2012-13 season. Rutledge saw action in 10 games at the NCAA level, but decided to return to the USHL with Green Bay the following year.

“With Jared we know we’re acquiring a guy who has been a veteran of not only our league but also of Team USA and Michigan,” Hulton said. “I think the thing that impressed us was his experience as a starter last year for Green Bay and his playoff experience. We think that’s going to be important heading down the road. It was a concern of ours to have two goalies of the same age, both lacking playoff experience.”

Rutledge was traded to Janesville by the Gamblers on Oct. 28. In six NAHL games, the netminder had a 4-2-0 record with a GAA of 1.99 and a save percentage at .919.

“Blake is a terrific young man with a bright future,” Hulton said of Weyrick. “He was an outstanding teammate and worked very hard for us here. We’re hoping that this opportunity allows him to become a No. 1 goaltender and fulfill his dream of getting a scholarship.”

The Storm will battle the Lincoln Stars at the Viaero Event Center tonight at 7:05 p.m.

For more information and to purchase tickets, contact the Viaero Event Center Box Office at 308.338.8011 or visit www.stormhockey.com.