Rush sends four players to AHL camps
September 26, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
The Rapid City Rush is pleased to announce that four of its players have been invited to try out for American Hockey League (AHL) teams. Rapid City Rush players Luke Fritshaw, R.G. Flath and Miguel Beaudry will the attend Iowa Chops camp and Jamie VanderVeeken will head to the Worcester Sharks camp.
"This is great for our organization to be sending four players to AHL camps as an expansion franchise," said Rapid City Rush Head Coach Joe Ferras. "This is a testament to the character, talent and overall caliber of the players that will be skating for Rapid City. It's a way to reward the players for last years statistics and they're cumulative professional careers."
The Iowa Chops are the AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's (NHL) Anaheim Ducks and the Rapid City Rush will be sending three players to the camp. Included in that group is Rush goaltender Miguel Beaudry.
"This is a great reward after having an All-Star appearance and now has a chance at his first AHL camp," stated coach Ferras. "Miguel is a premier goalie at our level and we are relying on him to play the bulk of the time. Having this experience going to Iowa will be great for him and his confidence as well as for Iowa to know about Miguel here in Rapid City."
Beaudry will be suiting up for his sixth season in the Central Hockey League (CHL). Most recently, Beaudry spent 3 years with the Austin Ice Bats and while in Austin, Beaudry earned CHL All-Star recognition.
"This is definitely exciting," said Beaudry. "Of course the goal is to play at the next level. Now that I'm getting older, I need to take advantage because this chance may not come again. It's nice to be rewarded for five good years in the [CHL] league."
Also making his way to Des Moines is newly-signed defenseman Luke Fritshaw.
"For Luke, this is his fourth time attending camp and has been called up in the past to play at the AHL level," declared coach Ferras. "Luke is the type of player that AHL teams look to call up in a pinch because he has the size and grit factor and he plays very well in his own zone."
Fritshaw, a 6th round draft pick of the Anaheim Ducks, is the newest player to sign with the Rush. Fritshaw will be making his CHL debut this season after spending last year in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL).
"It's very exciting for me," said Fritshaw. "It was never in the plans, but I was given the chance to go to Iowa for camp. Coming in as an unknown, hopefully I can make a good impression. I look at this as an opportunity and I need to take advantage of it."
The final Rush player making his way to the Chops camp is forward R.G. Flath.
"After being a 20 goal scorer his rookie season and now entering his second as a pro, we want R.G. to play relaxed and with confidence. His biggest asset is his willingness to compete and his never-say-die attitude. We want him to go to Iowa and have a tremendous experience and see what it takes to get to and play at the next level."
Flath was signed by the Rush back in July and spent the majority of last season playing on the same squad with Rush goalie Miguel Beaudry in Austin. Flath is entering his second season in the CHL and made his mark as a rookie with a 20-goal campaign.
"It's a great opportunity," said Flath. "I never would have imagined I'd make it this far. I would like my career to keep going in that direction."
The fourth Rush player that will be heading to an AHL camp is defenseman Jamie VanderVeeken. Last season, VanderVeeken skated for the Kalamazoo Wings of the International Hockey League (IHL) where he was named the Aquafina Rookie of the Week. VanderVeeken was also named the Pepsi Defenseman of the Month by the IHL for the month of March.
"Jamie is the wild card here," said coach Ferras. "Last year, in his first as a pro in the IHL, his Head Coach, Brian Curran, put Jamie on the back end after playing four years of major junior as a winger, and he excelled well enough to be selected to the All-Rookie Team as a defenseman. He's another big player at 6'3", who skates well and possesses a big shot which should bode well at his first AHL camp."
VanderVeeken earned more honors during his first pro season when on April 12th, he received the K-Wings Centennial Wireless Rookie and Fifth-Third Bank Defenseman of the Year Award.
"It feels good and I'm very excited, but I really don't know what to expect," said VanderVeeken. Hopefully I'll be able to show my talents and one day crack a lineup [in the AHL] in the future."
Other Rush News:
The Rapid City Rush will hold its first annual golf tournament on Friday, October 3rd at the Golf Club at Red Rock. Individuals and teams are encouraged to join as there will be prizes available, a silent auction, and opportunity to meet all of the Rush players. A portion of the proceeds will go directly to the Rushmore Hockey Association.
The Rapid City Rush training camp gets underway on October 6th. The media as well as the public are invited to come see the players skate.
Dates for the Rapid City Rush training camp have been set. October 6th through 8th, the Rush will have skates at the Roosevelt Arena in Rapid City from 8am-9:15am (Group 1), 9:30am-10:45am (Group 2) and 2pm-3:15pm (Group1 & 2 scrimmage). On Thursday, October 9th Groups 1 and 2 will be on the ice from 9am-10:30am. October 13th and 14th, the Rush will hit the ice once again at the Roosevelt Arena in Rapid City from 8am-9:15am (Group 1), 9:30am-10:45am (Group 2).
For more information on Rapid City Rush Hockey, log onto www.RapidCityRush.com or contact the Rush office at 605.716.PUCK (7825).
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Central Hockey League Stories from September 26, 2008
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- Gorillas player to participate in Race for the Cure - Amarillo Gorillas
- Rush sends four players to AHL camps - Rapid City Rush
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