Machine, Rangers strike a deal

The Motor City Machine has traded defenseman Reed Rushing and the rights to forward Andy Inderieden to the Marquette Rangers for forward Josh Bussell and a third-round pick in the 2009 NAHL Entry Draft.

Bussell, from LaSalle, Mich., has played in 72 career games with the Rangers, posting 32 goals and 35 assists.  This season, he’s produced eight goals for 13 points in 15 games.

“Josh has put up numbers every since he came into the league and we’re thrilled to have him on our team,” said Machine head coach and general manager Matt Romaniski.  “He’ll be a great addition.”

After 13 games this season, Inderieden, from Maple Grove, Minn., totaled seven points, while Rushing, from Seattle, skated in all 16 games for the Machine, also posting seven points.

“They’ve both been in the league a long time and have logged respected numbers throughout and I wish them the best of luck,” Romaniski said.

Marquette also acquired the rights to goaltender Dan Sullivan from the Omaha Lancers of the USHL for future considerations.

“We’ve said from the beginning that we needed to shore things up in our own end,” said Rangers head coach Kenny Miller.  “Reed Rushing was an all-star defenseman last year and has proven he can play at a high level, so he’ll be a good compliment to our young guys and be a leader on the blue line. 

“Sullivan has been a junior player for a couple of years, has experience in the EJHL and the USHL who’s numbers speak for themselves, so we’re excited to add these guys to our lineup.”

Sullivan, a native of York, Pa., sports a goals-against average of 3.77 with a saves percentage of .889 after four games in net for Omaha.

Both Rushing and Sullivan are expected to be in the Rangers’ lineup this weekend against Alpena.

“As young as we are, adding players who understand what it takes to compete and be successful at this level is important if we’re going to start a run heading into the middle part of our season,” said Miller.  “These guys are leaders who we’re confident will make a big difference for our club.”