:Rapid City Rush

On June 2, 2007, the Central Hockey League announced an expansion team for Rapid City, which began play in the 2008–09 season.{{cite web |date=June 2, 2008 |title=Rapid City, SD to join Central Hockey League in 2008-09 |url=http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=314859 |access-date=March 14, 2012 |website=National Hockey League}} {{Dead link|date=June 2022}} Two months later, the team named Joe Ferras as their head coach and director of hockey operations, and Jason Rent as general manager.{{cite web |date=August 2, 2007 |title=Rapid City Names GM & Head Coach |url=http://www.centralhockeyleague.com/pressroom/index.html?article_id=1534 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111184736/http://www.centralhockeyleague.com/pressroom/index.html?article_id=1534 |archive-date=November 11, 2007 |access-date=September 2, 2009 |website=Central Hockey League}} 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 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 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 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.{{Cite web |date=May 5, 2010 |title=Rush Win Ray Miron President's Cup With Double OT Win |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/rush-win-ray-miron-presidents-cup-with-double-ot-win/n-4004104 |access-date=June 9, 2022 |website=OurSports Central |language=en}}

During 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 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 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 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 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 the ECHL for the 2014–15 season.{{cite web |date=October 7, 2014 |title=CHL Clubs Join ECHL for 2014-15 Season |url=http://centralhockeyleague.com/news/?article_id=11233 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007203517/http://centralhockeyleague.com/news/?article_id=11233 |archive-date=October 7, 2014 |access-date=October 7, 2014 |website=Central Hockey League}}{{cite web |date=October 7, 2014 |title=ECHL Accepts Seven Members |url=http://www.echl.com/echl-accepts-seven-new-members-p194005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009113029/http://www.echl.com/echl-accepts-seven-new-members-p194005 |archive-date=October 9, 2014 |access-date=October 7, 2014 |website=ECHL}}

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.{{cite web |date=August 11, 2015 |title=Coyotes Announce New Affiliation Agreement with Rapid City of ECHL |url=http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=776727 |access-date=August 11, 2015 |website=Arizona Coyotes}} On February 18, 2016, head coach and general manager, Joe Ferras, announced he was stepping down from his coaching position and promoting Mark DeSantis to head coach.{{cite web |date=February 18, 2016 |title=Ferras Steps Down |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/ferras-steps-down/n-5102008 |access-date=February 18, 2016 |website=OurSportsCentral}} On July 14, 2016, the Rush and the Coyotes organization renewed their affiliation along with the Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL.{{cite web |date=July 14, 2016 |title=Rush Re-Affiliate with Coyotes |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/rush-re-affiliate-with-coyotes/n-5182238 |access-date=July 14, 2016 |website=OurSports Central}}

After one-and-a-half seasons, DeSantis was fired.{{cite web |date=April 21, 2017 |title=DESANTIS RELIEVED OF COACHING DUTIES |url=http://www.rapidcityrush.com/news/?article_id=865 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709223726/http://www.rapidcityrush.com/news/?article_id=865 |archive-date=July 9, 2017 |access-date=July 9, 2017 |website=Rapid City Rush}} He was replaced by former Rush captain Daniel Tetrault for the 2017–18 season as head coach.{{cite web |date=June 9, 2017 |title=TETRAULT NAMED RUSH HEAD COACH |url=http://www.echl.com/tetrault-named-rush-head-coach |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818094329/http://www.echl.com/tetrault-named-rush-head-coach |archive-date=August 18, 2017 |access-date=August 18, 2017 |website=ECHL}} The Rush also changed their affiliations to the Minnesota Wild (NHL) and the Iowa Wild (AHL){{cite web |date=June 19, 2017 |title=RUSH JOIN FORCES WITH MINNESOTA, IOWA |url=http://www.echl.com/rush-join-forces-minnesota-iowa |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619212754/http://www.echl.com/rush-join-forces-minnesota-iowa |archive-date=June 19, 2017 |access-date=June 19, 2017 |website=ECHL}} but ended it after one season.{{cite web |date=June 29, 2018 |title=Rush and Wild Part Ways |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/rush-and-wild-part-ways/n-5359446 |access-date=June 29, 2018 |website=OurSports Central}} The Rush entered the 2018–19 season independent of an affiliate after three seasons of affiliations and missed playoffs.{{cite web |last=Preston |first=Geoffrey |date=October 1, 2018 |title=Rush hit the track to start training camp |url=https://rapidcityjournal.com/sports/rush-hit-the-track-to-start-training-camp/article_79cb6e6a-73fa-5929-a1d9-76f27e8047d3.html |access-date=October 1, 2018 |work=Rapid City Journal}}

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 the majority owner.{{cite web |date=January 11, 2019 |title=RUSH ANNOUNCE CHANGE IN TEAM OWNERSHIP |url=https://rapidcityrush.com/en/news/2018/9/rush-announce-change-in-team-ownership |access-date=January 11, 2019 |website=Rapid City Rush}} On July 24, 2019, the Rush began a two-year affiliation agreement with the Arizona Coyotes and the Tucson Roadrunners.{{cite web |date=July 24, 2019 |title=RUSH TO BE PROUD AFFILIATE OF NHL’S ARIZONA COYOTES |url=https://rapidcityrush.com/en/news/2018/9/rush-to-be-proud-affiliate-of-nhl-s-arizona-coyotes |access-date=July 25, 2019 |website=Rapid City Rush}} By October 2019, Federal Authorities had launched a criminal investigation into possible embezzlement by the team business manager.{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Nathan |date=October 4, 2019 |title=Rapid City Rush ownership seeks investigation into team's finances |url=https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/rapid-city-rush-ownership-seeks-investigation-into-teams-finances/article_08167582-0e7f-59ee-bd86-549b917582bc.html |access-date=October 4, 2019 |website=Rapid City Journal}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Long |first=Steve |date=May 16, 2020 |title=Spire Hockey purchases majority interest in Rush: Committed to Rapid City |url=https://www.kotatv.com/content/news/Breaking-Spire-Hockey-purchases-majority-interest-in-Rush-Committed-to-Rapid-City-570535461.html |access-date=May 16, 2020 |website=KOTA-TV}} The former finance manager of 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.{{cite web |last=Zionts |first=Arielle |date=October 19, 2020 |title=Former finance manager gets 3 years in prison for stealing $700K from Rapid City Rush |url=https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/former-finance-manager-gets-3-years-in-prison-for-stealing-700k-from-rapid-city-rush/article_7a043d47-b239-5204-9348-91a4d5522c59.html |access-date=October 19, 2020 |website=Rapid City Journal}}

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.{{cite web |date=June 15, 2021 |title=Tetrault and Rush Mutually Agree to Part Ways |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/tetrault-and-rush-mutually-agree-to-part-ways/n-5705951 |access-date=June 15, 2021 |website=OurSports Central}} He was replaced by Scott Burt in July 2021.{{Cite web |date=July 7, 2021 |title=Scott Burt Named Rapid City Rush Head Coach |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/scott-burt-named-rapid-city-rush-head-coach/n-5716501 |access-date=July 7, 2021 |website=OurSports Central}}

On August 25, 2022, the Rush reached an affiliate agreement with the Calgary Flames for the 2022–23 season.{{cite web |date=August 25, 2022 |title=Flames name Rapid City Rush as ECHL affiliate |url=https://calgarysun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/calgary-flames/flames-name-rapid-city-rush-as-echl-affiliate |access-date=August 30, 2022 |website=Calgary Sun}}

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

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://rapidcityrush.com}}

{{Calgary Flames}}

{{Calgary Wranglers}}

{{ECHL}}

{{Central Hockey League}}

{{Dakota Sports}}

{{Rapid City, South Dakota}}

Category:Rapid City Rush players

Category:ECHL teams

Category:Arizona Coyotes minor league affiliates

Category:Calgary Flames minor league affiliates

Category:Central Hockey League teams

Category:Minnesota Wild minor league affiliates

Category:Ice hockey teams in South Dakota

Category:Ice hockey clubs established in 2008

Category:Sports in Rapid City, South Dakota

Category:2008 establishments in South Dakota