RUSH ADD TRIO OF YOUNG, TALENTED FORWARDS

(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush is pleased to announce the acquisition of youthful forwards for the upcoming 2014-15 CHL Season: Jake Hauswirth, Adam Stuart, and rookie Mike McCann.

“With the addition of these three players, this will undoubtedly make this year’s training camp the most competitive camp in this team’s seven year history,” said Head Coach and GM Joe Ferras. “We’re very excited to add these players with unique skill sets to the fold.”

“I’m extremely excited to be coming to Rapid City. I’ve played in this building before and it’s one of the best atmospheres I have ever played in,” said Hauswirth on coming to the Black Hills. “I’m looking forward to bringing some size on the ice, as well as sound skating. I’ll do whatever I can to put points up on the board, work hard, and be a great teammate.”

Hauswirth spent last season in the ECHL with three different clubs, the majority of which was spent with the Ontario Reign. Hauswirth played in 34 games, scoring 5 goals and 3 assists for 8 points, before suffering a lower body injury that ended his season.

“We’re very excited to have Jake join our club with his experience in the top levels of pro hockey,” said Associate Coach Mark DeSantis. “We’re going to rely on Jake’s size and skating ability up front, and also utilize his veteran presence both on the ice and in the locker room.”

Originally from Merrill, Wisconsin, Hauswirth, 26, enters his sixth season of professional hockey, and his third season in the CHL. The 6’4”, 203 lb forward has spent the majority of his career in the ECHL, where he played 160 of his 247 professional games. In the 2011-12 season, he earned his first call-up to the American Hockey League and suited up for 19 games with the Texas Stars, affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars. Prior to playing professionally, Hauswirth played with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL, and helped his club to a Clark Cup National Championship in the 2007-08 season.

“It’s very exciting to be a part of a team that is a legitimate contender every season,” said Stuart on coming to Rapid City. “Last season I had a great year in the SPHL, and I find it very rewarding to join this club. I feel that I am a versatile forward, and ultimately I’ll do whatever the team needs me to do on a nightly basis.”

Stuart is coming off of a career year spent with the Louisiana IceGators of the SPHL, where he shattered his career highs in almost every statistical category. He played in 54 games, while scoring 26 goals with 30 assists for 56 points, just over a point-per-game pace. Stuart also played with the ECHL’s Evansville IceMen for a pair of games, contributing an assist, and played in both of the IceGators playoff games at the conclusion of the season.

“Having seen Adam play in person in my lone SPHL season, I know what kind of a player he is, regardless of his numbers,” added DeSantis. “He’s an up-and-down winger that can play on both sides of the puck, and his work ethic and compete level are outstanding for a player of his age. This is a great opportunity for Adam, having three years played in the SPHL, and we expect him to come in and battle for a job, as we do all of our players.”

A native of Calgary, Alberta, Stuart, 25, enters his fourth season of professional hockey, and his first in the CHL. The 6’1”, 174 lb forward played all but two of his 165 career games in the SPHL with the Louisiana IceGators and the Mississippi Surge, where he has contributed career totals of 57 goals and 72 assists for 129 points. Before becoming a professional, Stuart spent three seasons of junior hockey between the AJHL and the BCHL, finishing his amateur play with York University in the CIS.

“I am extremely excited to be playing for this team. I’ve heard nothing but great things about this organization,” said McCann on landing his first professional contract. “My coach at Colgate knows Coach Ferras very well, so I hope to have that same relationship when I get here. I know as a rookie there is much for me to learn. I just want to come here, buy into the system, and learn from the older guys. Whatever the team needs me to do, I’ll do.”

“Mike is coming from one of the NCAA’s elite programs the last two years in Colgate University,” added Ferras. “He’s a very reliable hockey player that has a strong work ethic, and can play well on both sides of the puck. Speaking with his coach Don Vaughn, Mike is a very skilled skater, which will help his transition to the professional game, and also stressed that he showcased a tremendous compete level on a nightly basis. These are all of the intangibles that will help Mike become a successful professional.”

McCann enters his rookie season of professional hockey after a four-year career at Colgate University in the NCAA. The 23 year-old native of Barrington, Illinois played 144 games with the with his alma mater over four seasons, finishing within the Top 20 in school history in games played. He scoring 15 goals and added 14 assists for 29 points in his career, and majored in Education.

Other Rush News:

Starting tomorrow morning at 9 AM, the Rapid City Rush Historical Jersey Auction will return. Kyle Stroh’s and Jordan Behler’s historic jerseys are the next jerseys to be auctioned in this series. To bid on their jerseys, look for their links on the team’s eBay page starting tomorrow.

Join Rush Nation for only $10 per game! Call the Rush office at 716-7825 for details, and stay informed on all Rush happenings this summer through the official Rapid City Rush team website, www.RapidCityRush.com, and the Rapid City Rush mobile app, available on iTunes and Google Play.

###