The CHL’s newest franchise prepares for its inaugural season
The newest CHL expansion franchise, The Rapid City Rush will kick off its inaugural season this fall. Corporate advertising and season ticket sales have been strong so far and management is excited about the upcoming season. The Rush anticipate remaining on the road for at least the first 8-10 games until they can move into the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Hockey Arena.
The arena, which is currently being renovated, is scheduled for completion in December. The venue will seat 5,200 with 400 club seats and 14 luxury boxes.
"It's going to be gorgeous," said head coach Joe Ferras said. "And the way it's built, there's not a bad seat in the house. We're very excited."
Ferras spent 13 years as a professional hockey player and coached the CHL’s Amarillo Gorillas for five seasons between 2001 and 2006, making the playoffs four consecutive times. He most recently served as the Assistant Coach for the New York Islanders AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers during the 2006-07 season. He holds a 174-136-23 overall head coaching record and 161-132-23 as a CHL Coach.
Ferras is busy recruiting prospects and have signed two players so far, Forward Brady Olsen from the Queen’s University Golden Gaels and Center Stephen Cooke from the University of Prince Edwards Island Panthers. Ferras has said he is especially seeking strong goaltending.
Ferras spent 13 years as a professional hockey player and coached the CHL’s Amarillo Gorillas for five seasons between 2001 and 2006, making the playoffs four consecutive times. He most recently served as the Assistant Coach for the New York Islanders AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers during the 2006-07 season. He holds a 174-136-23 overall head coaching record and 161-132-23 as a CHL Coach.
Ferras is busy recruiting prospects and have signed two players so far, Forward Brady Olsen from the Queen’s University Golden Gaels and Center Stephen Cooke from the University of Prince Edwards Island Panthers. Ferras has said he is especially seeking strong goaltending.
"Your goaltender is your best penalty killer," Ferras said. "…goaltenders are the guys that make coaches look very good. And our goal is to have great goaltending."
The Rush is touting all the amenities of the Rapid City area as well as the facilities available to the players. The team, owned by three Rapid City businessmen, is doing all they can to attract the best talent.
The Rush is touting all the amenities of the Rapid City area as well as the facilities available to the players. The team, owned by three Rapid City businessmen, is doing all they can to attract the best talent.
"We want to treat these guys as good as we can," said General Manager Jason Rent. "This league has a salary cap, and the way to make yourself look better than the other franchises is to take care of guys."
Players will be housed in new town homes on the Red Rock Meadows golf course community and will travel to games either by first-class air or in a brand new $600,000 bus that can sleep 23. Emphasis is put on the state-of-the-art ice arena with a locker room that will “rival those of any major league team.” The team website’s recruiting page includes an impressive video and photos and floor plans of the town homes.
The team plans to become very involved in outreach to the Black Hills community. "Right out of the gate, we are the community's team, and we want everyone to know that," Ferras said. The Rush plan to give back to the community that has welcomed them through various programs, events and fundraising campaigns. "We're going to put a product on the ice that they're going to be proud of. Not just on the ice, but they're going to proud of these 20 individuals off the ice."
The team plans to become very involved in outreach to the Black Hills community. "Right out of the gate, we are the community's team, and we want everyone to know that," Ferras said. The Rush plan to give back to the community that has welcomed them through various programs, events and fundraising campaigns. "We're going to put a product on the ice that they're going to be proud of. Not just on the ice, but they're going to proud of these 20 individuals off the ice."
Image Credit: Rapid City Rush
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