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On June 23, 2025, Dave Smith was named the Head Coach and General Manager of the Rapid City Rush. He is the fifth Head Coach in the organization’s history.

Smith brings 27 years of coaching experience to Rapid City, all at the NCAA Division I level. Prior to joining the Rush, Smith led the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (R.P.I.) program for eight seasons (2017-2025). He served the prior 12 years as Canisius College’s Head Coach (2005-2017), where he guided the Golden Griffins to three straight trips to Atlantic Hockey Championship Weekend, back-to-back title game appearances, and the program’s first NCAA tournament in 2013. He was named Atlantic Hockey Coach of the Year in 2016-17.

Before his 20 consecutive seasons as a Head Coach, Smith spent the first seven years of his coaching career as an assistant in Division I for three different schools: Miami University (1998-2000), Bowling Green State University (2000-2002), and Mercyhurst College (2002-2005). In three seasons at Mercyhurst, the Lakers qualified for the NCAA tournament twice.

In the collegiate ranks, Smith has coached an extensive list of talent who advanced to play professionally, including in the National Hockey League. The list of NHLers includes Cory Conacher (Canisius), Kevin Bieksa (Bowling Green), Mike Glumac (Miami), and Pat Leahy (Miami). Smith also coached former Rush defenseman Carl Hudson at Canisius, and longtime Calgary Flames goaltending coach Jordan Sigalet at Bowling Green.

Smith turned to coaching immediately following a six-year professional playing career. A forward, Smith played a total of 448 games between the ECHL, AHL, and IHL. He amassed 140 goals, 324 points, and 1370 penalty minutes for his career, which included a 1993 Turner Cup championship with the Fort Wayne Komets (IHL) as a rookie. Smith was under contract with the New York Rangers in 1994-95. Before turning pro, Smith was a team captain and four-year letterwinner at Ohio State University, where he graduated in 1992.

A native of Arthur, Ontario, Smith and his wife, Susan, have two daughters, Ellis and Kylie.

Justin Ullom joined the Rush in September of 2022 and comes to Rapid City with experience at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. Justin was an assistant athletic trainer at Lindenwood University and at Holmes Community College, the head athletic trainer at Regis Groff Fusion Athletics, a charter high school in Denver, Colorado, and also spent time as an intern trainer for the NFL's Denver Broncos. Justin is a native of Wildwood, Missouri. 

Alex Werner signed on as Head Equipment Manager in August of 2025.

Werner has served as an Equipment Manager at the AHL, NCAA, and USHL levels, most recently at Lake Superior State University in 2024-25. His previous stops include the Rockford IceHogs (AHL) and the Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL).

Werner is a native of Buffalo, N.Y.

Dr. Chris Dietrich is the Medical Director for the Rapid City Rush. He works with our medical team to evaluate, treat, and coordinate care for our players. 

Dr. Dietrich is a Huron, South Dakota native. He is a graduate of The University of South Dakota School of Medicine. He completed his residency and specialty training at The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. While at Mayo, Dr. Dietrich was elected chief resident. He is board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pain Medicine, and Sports Medicine. He currently works at The Rehab Doctors with Drs. Lawlor, Vonderau, and Anderson. Dr. Dietrich is also the director of the Rapid City Concussion Project, a visiting physician at the United States Olympic Training Center, a Titleist Performance Institute Level 3 Certified Evaluator, and a team physician for the United States Ski Team. 

He was named the 137th President of the South Dakota State Medical Association, vice president of the Black Hills Medical Society, and co-chair of the ethics committee at Rapid City Regional Hospital. He was awarded the South Dakota State Medical Association's Outstanding Young Physician Award in 2009, and the Community Service Award in 2011. 

Dr Dietrich and his wife Angie have three children. In addition to his medical duties, Dr. Dietrich is active as a youth coach for Rushmore Hockey Association, Canyon Lake Little League, and Rushmore Soccer Club. The Rehab Doctors are at 1136 Jackson Blvd. Call 605-721-7246 for appointments or visit their website at www.therehabdoctors.com.