CIVIC CENTER AND RUSH TO HOLD HOCKEYVILLE WATCH PARTY

(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, have teamed up with the Rushmore Hockey Association and the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center to hold a watch party this Saturday, April 30th, as the winner of Kraft Hockeyville USA is announced on national television on NBC.

Earlier this month, the Rushmore Hockey Association and the Rushmore Thunderdome were named as national finalists for Kraft Hockeyville USA for a second year in a row. With the support of our outstanding community and all of those that supported the Rushmore Thunder and the Thunderdome they play in, Rapid City has made it to the final round of the competition. The winner will be announced during the first intermission of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals featuring the New York Islanders and the Tampa Bay Lightning on NBC. If Rapid City is crowned Kraft Hockeyville USA 2016, then the Thunderdome will receive $150,000 in arena upgrades, and Rapid City will host its first-ever nationally-televised NHL preseason game.

“Saturday is going to be a great day for hockey in Rapid City, and a great way to celebrate all the hard work and dedication from all the parents, coaches, volunteers, and members of the community that have worked tirelessly not just this year, but for several years to bring the growth of this great game in our community to where it is today,” said Rush General Manager Joe Ferras. “Events of this nature bring communities together and let the rest of the nation see our passion and dedication for growing the game of hockey at the grass roots level.”

Doors to the Civic Center Ice Arena will open at 8 am, and the whole day will feature events to celebrate the occasion:

• 9:00-10:00 am: Rushmore Thunder Bantam, JV, and Varsity teams will play a hockey exhibition

• 10:00-11:00 am: Rushmore Thunder Girls will play an exhibition for all age groups

• 11:00 am-12:00 pm, the Rushmore Thunder Squirts and PeeWees will play a hockey exhibition

• 12:00-1:00 pm: Rushmore Thunder Mites will have a shootout competition.

• 1:00 and on: everyone is invited to participate in a free skate while the jumbotron shows the Islanders/Lightning game

The announcement of who the winner of Kraft Hockeyville USA 2016 is will come during the first intermission of the game, which will be around 1:45 p.m. To help celebrate the occasion even further, the Rush Team Store will be open and everything will be 50% off. Rushmore Plaza Civic Center will also have concessions available for those that attend.

“Everybody is extremely excited. I am so proud of our organization and what RHA has accomplished this year,” said Dr. Chris Dietrich, Rush Medical Director and Rushmore Thunder Squirts and Mites Coach. “I’d also like to say that RHA is extremely appreciative of all of the support that our program and our children have received in this endeavor. It’s always great to see how people come together for moments like this in our community.”

In addition to all of the above, NBC will have a production crew in the arena to capture the moments leading up to and following the announcement, and Haugo Broadcasting and ESPN Radio will also be there broadcasting live throughout the day on radio.

Come on out to support local youth hockey with the Rushmore Thunder and celebrate such a proud occasion for our community!

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.

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