(RAPID CITY, SD) – The Rapid City Rush announced today Gavin Bechtol has been named the Head Equipment Manager of the Rush for the 2018-19 ECHL season.  Bechtol is the fifth Equipment Manager in team history, and takes over for Patrick Dolan, who, after two seasons on the Rush bench, was promoted to the American Hockey League as the Assistant Equipment Manager of the Syracuse Crunch, AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning. Bechtol comes to the Rush after completing a season in the SPHL with the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs.  Bechtol’s name may sound familiar to the Rush faithful, as his father, Eric Bechtol, served as the Head Equipment Manager of the Rush in the 2015-16 ECHL season.  Eric, a former St. Louis Blues Equipment Manager in the NHL, celebrated his 1,500th game in professional hockey while with the Rush that season before earning a promotion to the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners, affiliate of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, where he’s entering his third season. “I’m very excited to come to the Rush organization and continue my career in professional hockey as an equipment manager.  I’m going to do my best to make my locker room an NHL caliber room, and make sure that our team is outfitted as best as possible for their playing needs,” Bechtol said regarding his arrival in Rapid City.  Regarding being the second Bechtol to manage Rush equipment, Gavin added: “It’s crazy to believe that I’m following in my father’s footsteps not just in career path, but also in career destination. The world of hockey really is microscopic sometimes.  Talking with my dad, he was very happy that I’m joining a first-class organization in the ECHL, and I can’t wait to see what the Black Hills has to offer for my family.” “First off, I want to thank Patrick for everything over the last two seasons he was with the Rush.  Patrick is an outstanding, high-character individual who is very deserving of the AHL call-up to Syracuse that he earned.  He sacrificed so much for our team over the last two years, and I’m thankful for his hard work and friendship,” Rush Head Coach Daniel Tetrault said.  “I wish Patrick the very best in life and his career in Syracuse, but also welcome Gavin with open arms to the Rush organization.  Gavin has come into Rapid City with an outstanding attitude and work ethic in preparing us for training camp in a few weeks.  I look forward to a great season with Gavin, and can’t wait to see what he can do in this role for our players.” A native of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Gavin attended Western Michigan University, and was his father’s Assistant Equipment Manager with the Kalamazoo Wings for nearly a decade.  Gavin arrives in Rapid City with his girlfriend, Allison, and their two dogs, Ox and Rogue. ######