Keaton Hartigan (Kitchener/) always knew he could play hockey at a professional level. Thanks to his role in the Warriors' Cinderella run to the University Cup tournament, the rest of the hockey world knows now, too.

Hartigan, who completed his illustrious 5-year CIS career with the Warriors in March, has signed a contract with the Rapid City Rush of the Central Hockey League, based in Rapid City, South Dakota.

"The deal came together rather quick," said Hartigan via email. "Their head coach Joe Ferras contacted me a few weeks ago and explained his current goalie situation. He explained that he lost both goalies this summer to overseas contracts, (and) he felt there was an opportunity here for me to play a fair amount of games. After doing some research on the hockey club and Rapid City in general, I felt that the program and the hockey-oriented city would be a great fit for me."

The 6'1" Kitchener native played 93 games in his career at Waterloo, tallying an impressive record of 52-37, with a .308 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage. The numbers only got better for Hartigan as the stakes got higher, as he registered 11 career postseason wins with a sparkling 2.60 goals-against average and an astronomical .927 save percentage in 21 playoff appearances.

Hartigan's best season with the Warriors was 2009-10, when he won the OUA goaltender of the year award, was named to the OUA first all-star steam, and was named a second-team CIS all-Canadian.

However, the best hockey Hartigan played in the black and gold was undoubtedly this past spring – he posted a 7-3 record, a 2.60 goals-against average and .932 save percentage during the Warriors' playoff run. And according to Hartigan, that postseason success played a large role in his decision to go pro.

"I feel the playoff success of our team definitely had a large impact on Rapid City even knowing who I was," said Hartigan. "Any time a team has the success we had last season, it raises the awareness of not only the players on it, but the program and the university itself."

Hartigan was also quick to point to the program's culture and coaching staff as a key reason he'll be able to continue playing hockey professionally – head coach Brian Bourque has stated in the past that it's his job to prepare his players for life after UWaterloo – both in hockey and out of it.

"I am truly grateful to be able to play with 5 years for such an outstanding coach such as Brian Bourque and to be a part of a Waterloo athletic program that gets better every year," said Hartigan. "Over the years I have had the ability to not only play with some outstanding hockey players, but to meet some outstanding people and grow immensely from it."

Hartigan's focus will now shift fully to his new club, and his new home south of the border. He'll join the Rush later this fall for the start of training camp.