Search

Search Rapid City Rush Site

  1. Home
  2. News
  3. RUSH ACQUIRE FORMER CHL CHAMPION AHEAD OF WEEKEND SET
Wednesday, March 9th

RUSH ACQUIRE FORMER CHL CHAMPION AHEAD OF WEEKEND SET

RUSH ACQUIRE FORMER CHL CHAMPION AHEAD OF WEEKEND SET

(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, announced today that Danick Gauthier has been traded to the Norfolk Admirals in exchange for former CHL champion Jonathan Lessard.

“We’re getting a player that knows what it takes to win, having won a championship, and has also had a very successful pro career,” said Rush Head Coach Mark DeSantis. “We’re hoping Jonathan can add toughness to our team, and fill a scoring void for our hockey club.”

Lessard, 25, comes to the Rush in the midst of his fourth year as a professional hockey player, all of which to this point has been spent with the Norfolk Admirals. The 6’0”, 172-pound forward skated in 51 contests, registering 14 goals, 11 assists, and 25 points. His breakout season came in his second year as a professional when he shattered his career highs with 28 goals, 29 assists, and 57 points in 62 games with the Allen Americans, while adding an additional 15 points (9 G, 6 Ast) in 17 playoff games en route to winning the last CHL championship in league history. Prior to playing professionally, Lessard, a native of St-Eustache, Quebec, played a total of 254 games in the QMJHL across five seasons with the Drummondville Voltigeurs, Acadie-Bathurst Titan, and Baie-Comeau Drakkar, racking up 200 points in his major-junior career (115 G, 85 Ast).

Other Rush News:

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 season through the official Rapid City Rush team website, www.RapidCityRush.com, and the Rapid City Rush mobile app, available on iTunes and Google Play.

######

Upcoming Home Games

Full Schedule
Friday the 13th
Friday, March 13th
Friday the 13th
Presented by
Alex Johnson
Puck Drops:
7:05 PM MDT
The Monument
Wichita Thunder
WIC Wichita Thunder
3
Final
2
Rapid City Rush
RC Rapid City Rush
The Monument
Rush Fights Cancer
Saturday, March 14th
Rush Fights Cancer
Presented by
Vitalant
+
Thrivent
Puck Drops:
7:05 PM MDT
The Monument
Wichita Thunder
WIC Wichita Thunder
at
Rapid City Rush
RC Rapid City Rush
The Monument
Awful Night
Wednesday, April 1st
Awful Night
Puck Drops:
7:05 PM MDT
The Monument
Tulsa Oilers
TUL Tulsa Oilers
at
Rapid City Rush
RC Rapid City Rush
The Monument

Latest News

More News
GAME RECAP: Wichita Strikes Late to Win Game Two in Rapid City
GAME RECAP: Wichita Strikes Late to Win Game Two in Rapid City
BLAKE BENNETT TRADED TO WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON, RUSH RECEIVE THREE PLAYERS FROM WHEELING
BLAKE BENNETT TRADED TO WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON, RUSH RECEIVE THREE PLAYERS FROM WHEELING
GAME NOTES: March 13, 2026 – Rush vs. Wichita Thunder
GAME NOTES: March 13, 2026 – Rush vs. Wichita Thunder

Get Hockey Updates

Sign up for our email newsletter to be the first to know about news and upcoming games!