Rush To Host Gorillas In Pair Of Preseason Games This Weekend
October 9, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rapid City Rush News Release
(Rapid City, SD) - The Rapid City Rush will host their first ever preseason games this weekend with a pair of contests against the Amarillo Gorillas, both games are scheduled for 7:05pm. Both teams faceoff in what will be two highly competitive contests with players looking to find a spot on the final 19-man roster.
Rapid City Head Coach Joe Ferras knows that this is the players' final chance to prove they have what it takes to be a part of the Rush. "I am very pleased with the intensity and work ethic that I have seen thus far in training camp," said Ferras. "We have a strong core of returning players and several talented newcomers which will make the coaching staff's job very difficult when it comes time to trim the roster down to 19 players. Nowadays in pro sports, training camp is so short we have to make decisions in a quick manner, and I want to make sure players leave everything on the ice."
A total of 28 players comprise this year's training camp roster with the Rush only able to carry 19 on the active squad. Clearly, the position that is most competitive and difficult to crack is the defensive corps. The Rush will carry six defensemen on the team, but have a total of 10 players vying for those spots. Rush Assistant Coach Mark DeSantis, who retired last season after playing in 1,001 professional games in 16 seasons as a defenseman, will play a heavy role in deciding who will get the jobs on the back end.
"Here in my first year as an assistant coach, this is by far the best I've seen for a defensive group under Joe [Ferras]," said DeSantis. "We have ten very capable d-men here at camp, and the decisions will be very difficult. The players have only four days of camp and two preseason games to prove that they deserve to be in the top six."
This weekend's games give fans their first glimpse of the new Rapid City Rush squad as the Rush face the Gorillas at 7:05pm both Friday and Saturday night.
RUSH TRAINING CAMP HITS THE MIDWAY POINT
Today as Rush training camp participants take to the ice for their morning skate marks the final practice before the preseason games. Throughout the week, the Rush have had "two-a-days" with a practice in the morning then an intra-squad scrimmage in the afternoon. With so many skaters contending for spots on the final roster, on-ice activities have been fast and physical.
"The two pre-season games will be very important for these players and for evaluating where we sit as a hockey club," said Ferras. "When evaluating the players over the next two games I want to make sure I can put players in a situation where I see them playing during the regular season."
Rush coaches will have until Thursday, October 15th, to make final cuts before the season's opening games. The Rush opens the regular season on October 16th and 17th when they take on the expansion Missouri Mavericks at 7:05pm in the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Ice Arena.
RUSH HOUR WITH COACH JOE FERRAS IS BACK!
The 2009-10 edition of the "Rush Hour with Coach Joe Ferras" is here! The Rapid City Rush would like to invite fans out to Boston's to be a part of the live show sponsored by Miller Lite. This year's show will remain on Tuesdays, schedule permitting, but will be moved up an hour to 6pm.
Fans are invited to ask Coach Ferras and the players questions during the show as well as answer trivia questions for prizes. As always, there will be plenty of giveaways including signed sticks, pucks, photos, Rush merchandise as well as Miller Lite gear.
"The coaches' show is something that took off last season and it was great for both the fans and players," said Ferras. "It gave fans the chance to get an in-depth look at the team by asking their own questions to both myself and the team. It is a unique opportunity for fans to sit down and talk with players one-on-one as well as get some incredible memorabilia. Boston's was packed nearly every show and we'd love to see the event get even bigger this season."
Rush Head Coach Joe Ferras will also be giving away a pair of tickets to Friday night's season opening game against the expansion Missouri Mavericks.
Be sure to show up in your Rush gear Tuesday night at Boston's at 6pm for the "Rush Hour with Coach Joe Ferras" sponsored by Miller Lite. If you can't make it to the show in person, be sure to tune into 100.3 the FOX.
The "Rush Hour with Coach Joe Ferras" will kick off on Tuesday, October 13th at 6pm, live from Boston's and sponsored by Miller Lite.
Other Rush News:
Tickets are still available for this weekend's pre-season games and priced at $10 a seat ($7 for Season Ticket Holders). To purchase tickets, call the box office at 1-800-GOT-MINE, or visit www.GotMine.com.
The 2009-2010 opening games will take place the following weekend. The Rush will play the Missouri Mavericks on Friday, October 16th and Saturday, October 17th at 7:05 PM. Tickets for these games are currently on sale, starting at $15.00 a seat. Visit the Rush website at www.RapidCityRush.com for more information on seats and pricing.
Season tickets for the 2009-10 season are available as well. Call the Rush office at 605.716.PUCK (7825) for more information. A limited number of premium club seats are available.
Stay informed on Rush happenings through the official Rapid City Rush team website, www.RapidCityRush.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from October 9, 2009
- Sundogs Fall 3-1 in Lone Preseason Contest - Arizona Sundogs
- Thunder Pushes Over Mavericks - Wichita Thunder
- Mudbugs Add Two to Camp Roster, Will Host 'Kings Tomorrow - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Mudbugs Fall to Mississippi in Preseason Opener - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Mavericks Lose to Thunder 3-0 in First Pre-Season Game - Kansas City Mavericks
- RiverKings Bounce Mudbugs in Exhibition Action - Mississippi RiverKings
- Bucks Fall In Front Of Record Preseason Crowd - Laredo Bucks
- RiverKings on WHBQ-AM, No INSINC Coverage Tonight - Mississippi RiverKings
- 'Bugs Renew Radio Partnership with GAP Broadcasting - Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
- Jacks Trim Training Camp Roster to 24 - Odessa Jackalopes
- Rush To Host Gorillas In Pair Of Preseason Games This Weekend - Rapid City Rush
- Colorado Eagles Coach's Show Returns to Lucky Joe's - Colorado Eagles
- Americans release six, 21 remain on roster - Allen Americans
- Press Conference Monday, Gorillas at Boys Ranch Wednesday - Amarillo Gorillas
- Comeback Not Enough - Tulsa Oilers
- Americans fight hard in first preseason game, lose 4-3 to Brahmas - Allen Americans
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
