CHL Rapid City Rush

Rush Begin Offseason with Return of Riley Weselowski & Completion of Futures Trades

Published on May 17, 2012 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release


(Rapid City, SD) - On Thursday, the Rapid City Rush officially signed their first returnee for the 2012-13 season, announcing the return of reigning Central Hockey League (CHL) 'Defenseman of the Year' and 'Man of the Year', Riley Weselowski. In addition, the Rush completed their side of futures trades, acquiring defenseman Justin Sawyer from the Wichita Thunder and forward David Solway from the Tulsa Oilers.

"Today is a big day for the team," said Rush General Manager Tim Hill. "To bring back Riley, an All-Star and the CHL's Most Outstanding Defenseman, is obviously huge for the team itself. However, even more important is the impact he has representing the Rush off the ice and in the Rapid City community. He's the reigning 'Man of the Year' for a reason and these are the type of young men we want in this organization. At the same time, I'm very excited to bring David Solway and Justin Sawyer into the fold. Our goal this offseason is to make this team younger and tougher and these two players fulfill that need."

Weselowski was the foundation of the Rush's defense this season, establishing career-highs in goals (9) and assists (33) and points (43). Among all CHL defenseman, Weselowski ranked 4th in assists, points and rating (+23) en route to earning 'Defenseman of the Year Honors'. The Pilot Mound, Manitoba native also received 'CHL Man of the Year' honors which is 'presented annually to the Central Hockey League player adjudged to have best exemplified strong leadership qualities on and off the ice, while making significant and noteworthy humanitarian contributions to his community'.

"I am very excited to be returning to Rapid City for another season," stated Weselowski. "Over the past three years I have gotten to know many people in the Black Hills on a personal level and there are no other fans that I would want to play in front of on a nightly basis. The product that the Rush put on the ice year in and year out is second to none as this entire organization has shown great commitment to being the best team possible every year that I have played here, and this year will be no different. Getting this deal done so early will now allow me to spend my summer here in South Dakota training for the upcoming season and enjoying, in my opinion, one of the best summer destinations that the United States has to offer. I want to thank the best fans in the CHL for their continued support and I am already looking forward to another season of hockey here in Rapid City."

Weselowski, 27, was also named to the 2011-12 All-CHL team and selected as a reserve for the 2012 CHL All-Star Game. In 152 career games in the CHL, the 6-0, 190-pound defenseman has scored 14 goals with 59 assists and is a combined +64 during the three seasons. Last year, Weselowski scored four more goals and has eleven more points than his first two seasons with Rapid City combined.

"With Riley coming off his best season as a professional, we knew he would have several options on where to continue his hockey career," said Rush Head Coach Joe Ferras. "With him making the decision to stay with the Rush and anchor our d-corps, we couldn't be happier. I am looking for Riley to build off his on-ice performance and continue to be a great example as a professional for the younger players coming in. He's been instrumental since his arrival both on the ice and in the Rapid City community. As evident by winning the CHL 'Man of the Year' award, Riley exemplifies the type of people that we want representing the Rapid City Rush organization and the character guys we want putting on the Rapid City Rush jersey."

The Rush also completed a pair of futures trades that we're completed just prior to the 2011-12 regular season. The Rush have selected defenseman Justin Sawyer from the Wichita Thunder and forward David Solway from the Tulsa Oilers for the upcoming season.

"When you make trades for future considerations during the off season or early in the season, you always hope that they will result in making your team better and with finalizing this year's two trades we have certainly addressed some of our teams needs," continued Ferras. "This year, we are very fortunate that both of these trades produced two very instrumental hockey players as evident by their impact with their previous teams. At the conclusion of the season, our number one priority as a team was to become more physical and a harder team to play against."

A native of Peterborough, Ontario, Sawyer brings a 6-6 240-pound frame to the Rush blueline. In 64 games, Sawyer totaled nine points on five goals and four assists and added 151 penalty minutes.

"When the opportunity was available to pick up Justin, a player we were very familiar with, I jumped at it," stated Ferras. "He will instantly be a crowd favorite with his physical brand of hockey, compete level, and his willingness to protect teammates. He played us very tough all year long and made it very difficult for our forwards with his hard-nosed style of play and we expect the same this season."

Entering his 8th professional season, Sawyer has 375 games under his belt while collecting 56 points (12G, 44A) and boasting 1,338 penalty minutes. Sawyer broke into the CHL with Oklahoma City during the 2007-08 season where he racked up 303 penalty minutes. The veteran is no stranger to the AHL either, having played 15 games with the Toronto Marlies between 2005 and 2007.

In addition, the Rush acquired the rights to 2nd-year forward David Solway.

"In completing the trade with Tulsa, I knew I would be getting a player that would be quick and have a 'never-say-die' work ethic," said Ferras. "These are the types of players that Coach Ramsay produces, and that's exactly what we're getting in David. After a solid career at Bowling Green, David came in as a rookie in his first year in the CHL and put up tremendous numbers, scoring fifteen goals and totaling forty-three points. I am confident that David will build on his offensive production and with his speed work ethic and compete level I fully believe that he is capable of being a 20-25 goal scorer at the 'AA' level."

After four years of NCAA hockey at Bowling Green State University and playing three games with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL, Solway finished his first full professional season in Tulsa with 15 goals and 28 assists in 56 games. Solway, 24, led all Oilers with five game-winning goals and ended up tied for eighth in the CHL rookie scoring race.

"Clearly the Rush have proven to be an elite hockey team in the CHL year in and year out and it's an honor to be added to a team that will be looking to win another championship," said Solway. "Just from my short time in pro hockey Rapid City has been one of the best places I have played. To skate in front of sold out crowds, electric fans, and to see the community really gather and support the team as they have, has to fire any player up that gets to play in front of that every night."

The Green Bay, Wisconsin native was unassisted on his first professional goal on November 8, 2011 against the Rush.

Other Rush News:

The Rush offices will be closed starting Monday May 21st for the 2012 CHL League Meetings and will reopen for business Tuesday, May 29th at 9AM.

Join the team! Season tickets for the 2012-13 campaign are on sale now, starting at only $10 per game! Call the Rush at 605-716-PUCK (7825) to reserve your seats today. Season ticket holders receive a variety of benefits and exclusive perks.

Stay informed on Rush happenings through the official Rapid City Rush team website, www.RapidCityRush.com.

Check out the Rapid City Rush Statistics

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Central Hockey League Stories from May 17, 2012


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