The Rapid City Rush are a professional ice hockey team in the ECHL based in Rapid City, South Dakota , and play their home games at The Monument . The Rush are currently a minor affiliate of the Calgary Flames NHL franchise.
41-558: On June 2, 2007, the Central Hockey League announced an expansion team for Rapid City, which began play in the 2008–09 season. Two months later, the team named Joe Ferras as their head coach and director of hockey operations, and Jason Rent as general manager . Rent resigned from the organization, and Tim Hill was named general manager in the spring of 2009. In September 2007, the Rush unveiled their name, colors, and logo . The team
82-506: A 6–20 start, he was replaced by Doug Shedden . The season was quickly turned around by Shedden, and it finished its first season with a 25–32–2 record. On April 5, 1993, the Thunder goaltender Robert Desjardins was named the first CHL Rookie of the Year. In the following two seasons, the Thunder was the regular season champion (Adams Cup) and playoff champion ( William Levins Memorial Cup ). Ron Handy
123-498: A low-scoring offense (last in the league). The Rush finished the regular season strong, finishing fourth in the regular season standings. For the 2014–15 season, Rapid City announced that former assistant coach and team captain Mark DeSantis would return as an associate coach. DeSantis had a successful 2013–14 season as the head coach of the expansion Brampton Beast . In addition, several roster changes were made. Goaltender Tim Boron
164-574: A record of 16–29–2 during his tenure. He has since become the head coach of the Western States Hockey League 's Wichita Jr. Thunder . Brent Bilodeau was hired during the 2008 off-season and led the team for two seasons and a record of 22–48–0. He was fired early in his second season and became the assistant coach of the Western Hockey League 's Tri-City Americans for two seasons. After the Thunder fired Bilodeau nine games into
205-512: A record of 70–59–16. He was fired mid-season in December 2007 with a 4–13 record. He went on to become the assistant coach of the AHL's Hershey Bears and the following season took them to a championship as head coach. The Thunder then named former player Rob Weingartner to lead the team. Weingartner played for the Thunder from 1992 to 1996 when he was a member of two championship teams. Weingartner compiled
246-780: Is owned in majority by Scott Mueller. Mueller was previously involved in ownership with the Colorado Eagles , also of the Central Hockey League . Barry Petersen and Donald Ward are minority owners. In their second season (2009–10), the Rush defeated the Allen Americans 4–3 with 39.3 seconds left in double- overtime in Game 6 of the Ray Miron President's Cup Finals at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City to win
287-464: The 2009–10 season , Jason Duda was given the job on an interim basis while on injured reserve. Duda owns several franchise records from his Thunder career, scoring 870 points in 14 seasons. He finished the season with a 7–43–5 record and became an assistant coach under the next head coach, Kevin McClelland . On October 7, 2014, soon before the 2014–15 CHL season was set to begin, it was announced that
328-810: The 2012–13 season . Subsequently, in 2010, the International Hockey League folded and all five remaining IHL teams joined the CHL; the last of these, the Quad City Mallards , folded in 2018 in the ECHL. Brad Treliving , who co-founded the WPHL in 1996, became CHL commissioner following the merger, before leaving to join the Phoenix Coyotes . Duane Lewis was named the permanent commissioner in June 2008. In October 2013,
369-523: The Britt Brown Arena located in the northern Wichita suburb of Park City . In January 2010 (the second half of the 2009–10 season), the team began playing its home games at the newly built Intrust Bank Arena . The Thunder are currently the ECHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks . The Thunder was one of the first six original teams of the second iteration of the Central Hockey League , along with
410-574: The ECHL for the 2014–15 season . On August 11, 2015, the Rush announced that they had signed a one-year affiliation agreement with the National Hockey League 's Arizona Coyotes and the American Hockey League 's Springfield Falcons . This marks the first time the Rush has ever been affiliated with an NHL team. On February 18, 2016, head coach and general manager, Joe Ferras, announced he
451-586: The East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). Don Jackson was hired as the new head coach on July 21, 1995. He led the Thunder to a 22–39–3 record and missed the playoffs for the second time in franchise history. On July 19, 1996, Jackson resigned to become head coach of the Kansas City Blades of the International Hockey League (IHL). Jackson was replaced by Bryan Wells to become the Thunder's fourth head coach in franchise history. Wells went on to coach
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#1732858795968492-653: The Memphis RiverKings , the Dallas Freeze and the Fort Worth Fire . After Levins died, the league's championship trophy (awarded to the winner of the CHL playoffs) was renamed the Levins Cup . After running the league for eight years, Miron retired in 2000 and sold the league. The Levins Cup was renamed the Ray Miron President's Cup . After experiments in expansion and an ongoing battle for players and markets with
533-506: The Minnesota Wild (NHL) and the Iowa Wild (AHL) but ended it after one season. The Rush entered the 2018–19 season independent of an affiliate after three seasons of affiliations and missed playoffs. On January 11, 2019, the Rush announced an ownership change with Barry Peterson departing and Jeff Dickerson and T.J. Puchyr of Spire Sports + Entertainment joining. Scott Mueller remained
574-486: The Oklahoma City Blazers , Tulsa Oilers , Memphis RiverKings , Dallas Freeze and the Fort Worth Fire . Wichita played its first home game at Britt Brown Arena on November 4, 1992, in front of a crowd of 5,486. In the same season, the Thunder had its first sellout in team history when the crowd of 9,686 fans watched the Thunder defeat Oklahoma City 4–3. The Thunder was originally coached by Gary Fay, but after
615-702: The Ottawa Senators ' assistant general manager, Randy Lee, said that his team was in negotiations for an affiliation with the Thunder for the 2016–17 season . The affiliation with the Senators and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Binghamton Senators , was finally confirmed on July 14. After one season, the Thunder changed affiliations to the Edmonton Oilers (NHL) and Bakersfield Condors (AHL). After three seasons, and one playoff appearance, Cameron
656-539: The Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL) throughout the late 1990s, the CHL merged with the WPHL in 2001, with 10 former WPHL teams joining the CHL for the 2001–02 season . However, several years of gradual contraction in the former WPHL markets claimed most of these teams in the ensuing years. The last active former WPHL team, the Fort Worth Brahmas , effectively ceased operations following
697-503: The 1992-1993 inaugural season, only the Tulsa Oilers and Wichita Thunder remain and are still active as of 2023. Wichita Thunder The Wichita Thunder are a minor league hockey team based in Wichita, Kansas . The team played in the Central Hockey League from 1992 until 2014, and then in the ECHL since the 2014–15 season . From 1992 until December 2009, the Thunder played in
738-565: The 2010–11 season, the Rush were the host to the 2011 Central Hockey League All-Star Game . The Rush ended up losing to the All-Stars 11–6. Also, the Rush made the playoffs for the second straight season. In the first round, the Rush swept the Dayton Gems . During the second round against the Fort Wayne Komets , the Rush's leading scorer, Ryan Menei , was blindsided in Game 2 on a dirty hit by
779-544: The Americans. The Rush's Blaine Jarvis scored with 5:06 remaining in the third to bring the Rush within one. Exactly two minutes later, Brendon Cook scored, evening the score at 3 and forcing overtime. With 39.3 seconds left in the second overtime, a shot by Les Reaney deflected off the Allen goaltender Chris Whitley and the Rush's Scott Wray , rolling into the goal, sealing the win for the Rush and their first President's Cup. During
820-545: The CHL along its history, including the Southern Hockey League , Western Professional Hockey League and International Hockey League . After two teams suspended operations during the 2014 offseason, the ECHL accepted the remaining seven teams as members in October 2014, meaning the end for the CHL after 22 seasons. The Central Hockey League (CHL) was revived in 1992 by Ray Miron and the efforts of Bill Levins , with
861-617: The CHL appointed former president of the Pittsburgh Penguins Steve Ryan to succeed Lewis. On March 8, 2013, the Central Hockey League announced an expansion team in Brampton, Ontario . The Brampton Beast would become the first Canadian team in the CHL's history. In October 2013, the Central Hockey League was purchased from Global Entertainment by all the team owners, putting the CHL business model in line with that of
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#1732858795968902-425: The CHL. However, he failed to lead the team into the ECHL playoffs in his two seasons leading the team in the ECHL and the Thunder finished last in the overall standings in the 2015–16 season . Malcolm Cameron was announced as the new head coach on May 20, 2016. One of his stated intentions in his opening press conference was to establish the Thunder's first NHL affiliation for the upcoming season. On July 4, 2016,
943-480: The Central Hockey League had ceased operations and the Thunder, along with the Allen Americans , Brampton Beast , Quad City Mallards , Missouri Mavericks , Rapid City Rush and Tulsa Oilers , were all approved for membership into the ECHL for the 2014–15 season . The team finished fifth out of seven teams in the Central Division, scoring 73 points out of 144. On April 16, 2016, the Thunder announced that
984-496: The ECHL, two teams (Mississippi and Columbus) were in the SPHL, and four organizations (Corpus Christi, Fort Worth Brahmas, Odessa, and Rio Grande Valley) fielded junior teams in the NAHL. Of the CHL's remaining teams prior to October 7, 2014, Tulsa, Wichita, Allen, Colorado, Fort Wayne, Missouri (now Kansas City), and Rapid City are still active as of 2023. Of the CHL's six original teams from
1025-552: The Komets' Sean O'Connor. O'Connor was suspended the rest of the series, and the Rush went on to win the series in seven games. Next, the Rush faced their arch rivals, the Colorado Eagles . The series lasted seven games but the Eagles came away with the series win. The 2012–13 season brought new changes to the Rush organization. Assistant coach and former team captain Mark DeSantis accepted
1066-566: The NHL and AHL. On May 2, 2014 the St. Charles Chill ceased operations. Soon after, the Arizona Sundogs and Denver Cutthroats suspended operations. On October 7, 2014, it was announced that the ECHL had accepted the Central Hockey League's remaining seven teams as members for the 2014–15 season , officially signaling the end of the Central Hockey League after 22 seasons. The Allen Americans , who won
1107-524: The Ray Miron President's Cup. The Rush lost Game 1 of the series, but rebounded to win Game 2 in overtime on a Blaine Jarvis goal. The Rush then traveled to Allen for three straight games, where Allen won Game 3, but the Rush responded to win Games 4 and 5. In Game 6, the series returned to Rapid City, and initially looked as if there would be a Game 7 entering the third period with the score 3–1 in favor of
1148-508: The Rush reached an affiliate agreement with the Calgary Flames for the 2022-23 season . Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL=Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalty infraction minutes Central Hockey League The Central Hockey League (CHL) was a North American mid-level minor professional ice hockey league which operated from 1992 until 2014. It
1189-399: The Thunder announced that Derek Laxdal would become the team's new head coach. Laxdal went on to coach the Thunder for two seasons to an 87–58–8 record while securing two separate playoff places. On August 3, 2005, Laxdal announced his resignation to become the head coach of the ECHL's Idaho Steelheads . Mark French took over as head coach from 2005 to 2007. During his tenure, he compiled
1230-437: The Thunder for five seasons, making the playoffs in four out of the five seasons he coached. On May 2, 2001, Wells was dismissed as head coach. After the dismissal of Wells, the Thunder announced that James Latos would be the new head coach. In Latos' first season coaching, the team went 24–34–6 and was out of the playoffs. Latos was fired the following season after a disappointing start of 8–19–7. Five days after his dismissal,
1271-575: The head coaching position with the Fayetteville FireAntz of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) and head coach, Joe Ferras, became the lone bench boss for the season. Rush All-Star and fan favorite goalie Danny Battochio was able to return to the team after suffering a serious injury in the 2011–12 season. During the regular season, inconsistent play left the Rush battling for a play-off spot and were plagued with
Rapid City Rush - Misplaced Pages Continue
1312-639: The idea of central ownership of both the league and the teams. Both men were from hockey backgrounds. Miron had been general manager of the Colorado Rockies (now the New Jersey Devils ), and had briefly been president of the previous Central Hockey League in 1976. In the inaugural 1992–93 season the league had six teams, including the Oklahoma City Blazers , the Tulsa Oilers , the Wichita Thunder ,
1353-509: The last two CHL President's Cups, won two consecutive ECHL titles following the folding of the Central Hockey League. The Mississippi RiverKings, Tulsa Oilers and Wichita Thunder were the last of the original six franchises still playing at the end of the CHL's tenure; the RiverKings since folded, in 2018. In the 2014–15 season, ten teams (Allen, Brampton, Colorado, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Missouri, Quad City, Rapid City, Tulsa, and Wichita) were in
1394-626: The majority owner. On July 24, 2019, the Rush began a two-year affiliation agreement with the Arizona Coyotes and the Tucson Roadrunners . By October 2019, Federal Authorities had launched a criminal investigation into possible embezzlement by the team business manager. Spire, as Spire Hockey, became the sole owners of the team in May 2020, and the former business manager was indicted and later pled to embezzlement charges. The former finance manager of
1435-483: The team was found to have stolen nearly $ 700,000 from the team between 2010 and 2018, eventually being sentenced to three years in prison and $ 1 million in restitutions. Following the 2020–21 season , head coach Tetrault and the Rush agreed to end his contract. Over four seasons, Tetrault had led the Rush to a 116–134–25 record and never made a playoff appearance. He was replaced by Scott Burt in July 2021. On August 25, 2022,
1476-484: The team would not renew McClelland's contract for the 2016–17 season. He had been with the Thunder since 2010 and guided the team for six seasons becoming the longest tenured coach in Thunder history, leading the team for 408 games. During his time in Wichita, McClelland compiled a record of 194–166–48, earning a playoff spot in his first season and taking the team to the playoff finals in the following two seasons while still in
1517-535: Was founded by Ray Miron and Bill Levins and later sold to Global Entertainment Corporation, which operated the league from 2000 to 2013, at which point it was purchased by the individual franchise owners. As of the end of its final season in 2014, three of the 30 National Hockey League teams had affiliations with the CHL: the Dallas Stars , Minnesota Wild , and Tampa Bay Lightning . Several teams of defunct leagues joined
1558-426: Was not offered an extension. On May 15, 2019, the Thunder announced that the former Tulsa Oilers ' head coach Bruce Ramsay would be Cameron's replacement. List of Wichita Thunder alumni who played more than 25 games in Wichita and 25 or more games in the National Hockey League : The following lists the league awards which have been won by the Thunder team and its players. Most Valuable Player Coach of
1599-611: Was released, and former CHL Rookie of the Year Danny Battochio was signed to replace him. Also, longtime team captain Scott Wray and Konrad Reeder both announced their retirements. On October 7, 2014, soon before the 2014–15 CHL season was set to begin, it was announced that the CHL had ceased operations and the Rush, along with the Allen Americans , Brampton Beast , Quad City Mallards , Missouri Mavericks , Tulsa Oilers , and Wichita Thunder , were all approved for membership into
1640-519: Was stepping down from his coaching position and promoting Mark DeSantis to head coach. On July 14, 2016, the Rush and the Coyotes organization renewed their affiliation along with the Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL. After one-and-a-half seasons, DeSantis was fired. He was replaced by former Rush captain Daniel Tetrault for the 2017–18 season as head coach. The Rush also changed their affiliations to
1681-739: Was the Playoff Most Valuable Player for both seasons and was the only player in Central Hockey League history to win the award on multiple occasions. In the 1993–94 season , Doug Shedden won the Coach of the Year award, Robert Desjardins won the Regular Season Most Valuable Player award and Paul Jackson won the Scoring Champion award. On May 14, 1995, Shedden resigned to become coach of the Louisiana IceGators of