BINETTI NAMED CHL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, RUSH FINALIST FOR FRANCHISE OF THE YEAR

(CHANDLER, AZ) – The Central Hockey League hosted their annual league meetings this past week in Chandler, Arizona at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino. On Wednesday night, the league meetings, titled “New Horizons”, concluded with the Awards Ceremony and Banquet. Of the many awards presented, the Rush finished as a finalist for the CHL’s Franchise of the Year Award, while Mark Binetti, “Voice of the Rush”, was named the CHL’s Rookie of the Year/Rising Star.

“The awards dinner was a great way to cap off the three day conference", said Rush Head Coach and General Manager Joe Ferras. “It's a great way for our staff to learn from other franchises. The speakers that are brought in to talk about all facets of making our organizations successful in our daily business operations are very helpful to each organization in the league.”

The Rush, entering their seventh season of operation, were nominated as a finalist for CHL Franchise of the Year Award, but fell to the Missouri Mavericks, who won the award for a CHL record-fourth consecutive year. Since the Rush came into the league in the 2008-09 season, they have compiled an all-time record of 217-138-37, posting a .601 winning percentage. The Rush have qualified for the playoffs for five consecutive seasons, earning 35 wins or more in that span, twice passing the 40-win plateau. In that magical 2009-10 season, the Rush claimed their first and only Ray Miron President’s Cup Championship, becoming the fourth team in CHL history to win the title in just their second year of operation.

“To be nominated for Franchise of the Year is a great honor, especially when you look at the success that Wichita and Missouri continue to have year after year,” Ferras commented on the CHL Franchise of the Year nomination. “We are very proud of our organization and the incredible staff that we have, and how hard they work every day to make us an elite franchise year after year.”

Mark Binetti, entering his second season as the “Voice of the Rush”, became the inaugural recipient of the CHL Rookie of the Year/Rising Star Award. For Binetti, that is his second league recognition of the season, being named the #3 Broadcaster of the Year back in March on the league’s annual “Best of the Best Poll”. The 26 year old Tappan, New York native will reach yet another milestone during the upcoming season, as he will broadcast his 100th game as a professional and as the broadcaster of the Rush hockey team.

“I am extremely humbled and blessed to win the CHL Rookie of the Year/Rising Star award,” said Binetti on his second recognition from the CHL this season. “My award is a product of where I come from, who I work for, and who I work with. My mentor, Jason Shaya (Checkers Broadcaster) gave me the opportunity to become a professional hockey broadcaster, and not a day goes by that I do not think of his selflessness in allowing me the opportunity to learn under him. My parents and my family have supported me so much in this journey, and they tune into every single game. Without their love and support, this award never happens. The same goes for the organization that I work for. The Rush organization is clearly one of the best in all of North American minor league sports, and the people that I work with in that organization push me and encourage me to be the best that I can be at my job. From Coach Ferras, to Brandon (Assistant GM), to Tim (radio color analyst), to everyone in the front office, they have just as much of a hand in this award as I do, and I am very thankful for them and the award.”

"We are extremely proud that Mark was recognized as a rising star and Rookie of the Year in the Central Hockey League,” added Ferras about Binetti. “Mark came to Rapid City with a tremendous passion for hockey and has showed his unwavering dedication and commitment to our fans, community, and organization. It is outstanding to see him get rewarded for all of his hard work.”

Ferras concluded: “I am so proud of how far this organization has come in the last seven years. We were represented very well at the league meetings and awards ceremony, and I look forward to continuing to see the Rapid City Rush Hockey Club reach new and exciting heights in the seasons to come.”

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