Rush affiliate with Arizona, Tucson

RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Rapid City Rush announced an agreement to serve as the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Arizona Coyotes. The affiliation is the third time in the team’s five ECHL seasons that it will serve as a developmental affiliate for an NHL franchise, and the second time in partnership with the Coyotes organization.

“We are extremely excited to announce our affiliation today with the Arizona Coyotes organization,” said Rush Owner Jeff Dickerson of Spire Sports + Entertainment. “When we first set out in this process, we weren’t just looking for an affiliate for the sake of an affiliation. We wanted to work with an organization that we shared common goals with, could grow with, and that gave opportunities for advancement of our players and staff. From the moment we met with Steve Sullivan, we knew this was the place for us, and we look forward to playing a part in the success of our partners in Tucson and Phoenix.”

The Rush and Coyotes will be affiliate partners for a second time starting with the 2019-20 ECHL season after previously entering an affiliation for two seasons from 2015-17.  As the ECHL development team for the Coyotes, the Rush developed four players that played in Rapid City and advanced to the NHL, with all playing for the Coyotes. Goaltender Marek Langhamer was the first player in Rush history to not only receive an NHL call-up, but later play in an NHL game, followed by goaltender Adin Hill, who became the first Rush player ever to start and eventually win an NHL game in net. Defenseman Dakota Mermis became the first Rush skater to debut in an NHL game, and served last season as the captain of the Coyotes American Hockey League affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners. Forward Michael Bunting followed as the most recent former Rush player to make his NHL debut, and had one that he’d never forget: he also scored his first career NHL goal that same night. 

“We are excited to once again partner with the Rapid City Rush as our ECHL affiliate,” said Coyotes Assistant General Manager Steve Sullivan.  “The Rush are a first class organization with a passionate fan base. We look forward to working with owners Jeff Dickerson and TJ Puchyr (Spire Sports + Entertainment) as well as local owner Scott Mueller and Head Coach Daniel Tetrault.”