The ECHL’s Rapid City Rush have renewed their affiliation with the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes and AHL’s Tuscon Roadrunners, the team announced Thursday.
“We’re very excited to renew our affiliation agreement with such a first class organization as the Arizona Coyotes led by General Manager John Chayka and Head Coach Dave Tippett,” said Rush general manager Joe Ferras. “With the recent move of the Coyotes American Hockey League team to Tucson this will only enhance the transition with players being sent down and recalled throughout the organization.
“The main goal in our relationship with the Coyotes is to help develop their talented young prospects in a tremendous environment that Rapid City has to help them one day reach their ultimate goal of playing in the NHL.”
It’s been a summer of transition for the organization, including the move of their AHL affiliate to Tucson and the hiring of new general manager John Chayka. “We are pleased to renew our affiliation agreement with Rapid City,” said Chayka. “Rapid City is a first class organization and we are we are looking forward to another great season.”
Rapid City took on the affiliation with the Coyotes in August of 2015, the first time in franchise history that they took an NHL affiliation. They’ve since had the first player to ever come through the organization and make it to the NHL. Goaltender Marek Langhamer hit the NHL as a backup netminder, but didn’t manage to get into game action.
