Hockey N Heels Starts off on the Right Foot

(Rapid City, SD) Last night in the club level of the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, the Rapid City Rush re-instated “Hockey-n-Heels”, an event targeted toward the female fans in an effort to better educate them on some of the finer points of hockey. The event is essentially “Hockey 101” for the Rush’s female audience. Throughout the night, players mingled with the fans, took them on tours throughout the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, including the locker rooms, training room, and equipment room. Then the players, joined by Head Coach and GM Joe Ferras, held a demonstration of certain rules and plays during an on-ice session in the arena. As the evening progressed, the players, in what most fans consider to be the most entertaining excerpt of the night, narrated a fashion show, led by “guest MC” and Rush Captain Scott Wray, displaying Rush merchandise which was later made available for purchase. The event concluded with door prizes, and a demonstration of just exactly how to put on all the equipment necessary for playing this great game. Overall, the reaction from everyone involved, from the fans in attendance, to the top of the front office and management, to the participating players, was incredibly positive. “I am a big football fan, and didn’t know much about hockey”, said Kaylynn from Edgemont. “I learned where the players have to go, what they do on the ice, the rules, and so on. It was really great. The players were very approachable and polite, and along with Coach Ferras, would answer any questions we had after the demonstration. I had a blast!” Some fans coming into last night’s event with prior knowledge of the game learned something that they didn’t already know as well. Leslie from Rapid City said “I learned certain things about the penalties, like the trapezoid for instance. I never understood that before, and now I know where the goalie is allowed to skate and why the referees call that delay of game penalty”. Even in speaking with the players, the success of last night’s event was felt all around by those involved. Rush Defenseman Justin Sawyer, who was one of the many participating players in the event, said “It was a really great experience, great to see the female fans here. It was a very intimate setting, a very loose setting, and was great for everyone to meet each other and learn about the game at the same time”. “As players we had a lot of fun”, added former CHL Defenseman of the Year Riley Weselowski. “I was very surprised by the turnout, and didn’t think this many fans would show up”. Assistant General Manager of the Rush, Brandon Schumacher, echoed that sentiment. “We expected about 75 people to show up, and ended up seeing 130-plus in attendance. It was a great night”. “This event was supposed to be 2 hours and we’re almost going on 4”, said Head Coach and GM of the Rush, Joe Ferras. “It was great to see these players in this setting as well. You know the fans see them grinding game after game, and this event gave everyone the opportunity to see them have fun and be themselves”. When asked about his favorite part, Coach Ferras said you have to put it all together to make an accurate judgment on the evening. He adds “When you get the players narrating a fashion show and reading off of a script, it makes for a lot of fun. We’d all like to wake up with bodies like Justin Faryna and Scott Brannon, so you could see all the iPhones come out when they put the gear on tonight, so it was a lot of fun”. When asked if there was anything to change to the event, Leslie added “No, I just hope they do it again next year”. Other Rush News: Season tickets for the 2013-14 season are available now by calling the Rush office at 716-7825. Stay informed on Rush happenings through the official Rapid City Rush team website, www.RapidCityRush.com. ###