A former Belleville Bull from the 1990s is being mourned.
The Ontario Hockey League confirmed the passing of Paul Rushforth on Friday at the age of 52.
Rushforth spent parts of two seasons (1992-94) in the Friendly City, playing under legendary head coach Larry Mavety after being acquired in a trade from the North Bay Centennials (now Saginaw Spirit).
The Prince George, BC-born, Ottawa raised forward recorded 136 points over 185 regular season games, highlighted by a 28-goal, 35-assist, 63-point campaign with the Bulls in his final season.
Rushforth then went on to enjoy a nine-year professional career with stops in the AHL, ECHL, WCHL and the British Ice Hockey Superleague.
Rushforth was a sixth-round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 1992.
Post-hockey, he went on to be a real estate agent and radio show host, along with being an advocate for men’s mental health.
The OHL and many other organizations in the Ottawa area extended their deepest condolences to Rushforth’s loved ones and colleagues.
