Rush signs another forward

By Journal staff | Wednesday, September 10, 2008

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RAPID CITY — The Rapid City Rush announced Tuesday the addition of former Port Huron Icehawks forward Rich Hansen.

Hansen reunites with Rush head coach Joe Ferras as well as player-assistants Chris Lipsett and Mark DeSantis.

“I’m very excited to have Richie.  I was fortunate enough to coach Richie in Amarillo after four great seasons at Mercyhurst College,” said Ferras.“Richie is a center that has great hockey sense and sees the ice very well.”

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Hansen joins the Rush after spending last season with Rogle BK of the Swedish Elite League and later the Port Huron Icehawks of the International Hockey League.

The Northport, N.Y., native has experience in the CHL playing two seasons for the Amarillo Gorillas where he played with Lipsett and DeSantis and under coach Ferras.

“It’s an exciting new environment and the fans are as excited as we are,” said Hansen.  “I spoke with coach Ferras about the new team.  “He’s been to high levels and I’m willing to take a chance.”

Hansen tallied 110 points and 98 penalty minutes in 123 games played in Amarillo.

Prior to that, Hansen spent four years at Mercyhurst College where in 147 games he accumulated 42 goals and 85 assists for a total of 127 points.  During his time at Mercyhurst, Hansen was named to the MAAC All-Rookie Team as well as the MAAC second team.

“He has put up numbers everywhere he has played and will provide the Rush with an offensive threat,” added Ferras. “With this being his fourth year as a pro, I’m looking for Richie to provide a ton of leadership and to be a go-to guy for us this season.”

The team roster now includes: goaltenders Miguel Beaudry and Lanny Ramage, forwards Brady Olsen, Chris Lipsett, Stephen Cooke, Derek LeBlanc, R.G. Flath, Lance Herauf and Rich Hansen, and defensemen Jamie VanderVeeken, Mark DeSantis and John Neal.