Reid Campbell is hoping to become the latest Yukoner to play pro hockey this season.

The 25-year-old defenceman from Haines Junction has signed a contract with the Rapid City Rush, a Central Hockey League team in South Dakota.

Campbell, a three-time national champion with the NCAA III St. Norbert Green Knights, spoke with the Star this morning from Fort St. John, B.C.

He is currently in transit to Wisconsin where he will join his former St. Norbert teammates for a month of on-ice training before joining the Rush.

“It’s very exciting,” Campbell said of his latest hockey opportunity.

“It’s something I didn’t know I wanted to shoot for ... I love the game too much still to just quit cold turkey.”

Following St. Norbert’s national championship at the Frozen Four last spring, Campbell signed an amateur tryout contract with the Rush for their opening-round playoff series with the Quad City Mallards.

The defenceman never dressed, and Campbell said sitting in the press box for the duration of the seven-game series has only worked as motivation.

“It really kind of brought the fire back,” he said. “That kind of really made me want to give it a shot, give it a year and see.

“I know I could play at that level, and maybe it opens the doors up to go to Europe or at least get an East Coast or AHL tryout next year – something along those lines.”

In a statement on the club’s website, Rush head coach and general manager Joe Ferras said adding Campbell and fellow rookie Patrick Divjak for last year’s playoff run gave the duo a good sense of what’s expected.

“Even though they did not receive playing time, they showed much promise as hockey players, and their brief beginning with our hockey club will help their transition from the collegiate game to the professional game,” said Ferras.

Campbell said of the nine defenceman invited to the Rush training camp, he is the lone rookie.

“I want to shoot to be in the lineup every single night,” he said.

“It’s a bit harder for a younger guy coming in ... I’ve kind of got that going against me, but in the same sense I’ve worked hard this summer to prepare myself.”

Campbell worked as a carpenter in the territory this summer, and found a willing gym training partner in his brother, Evan.

“I really wanted to give myself the best opportunity,” Campbell said. “So I was really committed to the gym.”