CHL NOTES: Expansion Rapid City adds Central Hockey League all-star to ever-growing roster

By Journal staff | Thursday, September 18, 2008

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RAPID CITY—The Rapid City Rush added a Central Hockey League All-Star to its growing roster Monday.

Gio Flamminio joins the Rush after spending last season playing for the Mississippi Sea Wolves of the East Coast Hockey League.

“We’re very excited to have Gio because he’s the type of player that brings all facets to the game,” said Rush head coach Joe Ferras. “We’re expecting Gio to quarterback our power-play, be able to jump into the play five-on-five, and give us that offensive threat.”

Flamminio, a 6-0, 190-pound native of Prince Albert, Sask., posted six goals, 24 assists and 57 penalty minutes in 67 games played last season for the Sea Wolves.

Flamminio was the top-scoring defenseman for the Sea Wolves and his impressive play continued into the post-season as he tallied six points in only four playoff contests.

Flamminio has also played NCAA hockey dressing for the Ferris State Bulldogs of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

Eagles’ Latest Signees Bring European Experience: The CHL’s Northern Conference champion Colorado Eagles signed defenseman Brad Woods and forward Brett Hammond, both of whom played in Europe last season.

Woods — a sixth round draft pick of the NHL’s Florida Panthers in 1999 — brings a big body to Colorado’s blue line; at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Woods is the tallest player on the Eagles’ roster. After three years at Saint Thomas University, Woods spent a season with the Phoenix RoadRunners of the ECHL before playing the past two seasons in France.

Hammond played collegiately at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, posting 66 points (29-37-66) in 146 career games over four seasons.

Former Gorilla returns to the Jungle: Joe Guenther, a six-year professional signed with the Amarillo Gorillas, marking him the 14th player under contract with the team for the upcoming season.

Oilers Sign Two More: The Tulsa Oilers added a defenseman with three years of CHL experience, and a rookie center. Coach Dan Hodge announced the signing defenseman Kelly Sickavish and center Josh Bray.

Sickavish has played three seasons in the CHL, one with Wichita and two with Youngstown. In his 167 career games he has six goals and 27 assists for 33 points. He has 226 penalty minutes and is a plus 16.

Bucks Re-Sign All-Star Rivet: The Laredo Bucks re-signed all-star defenseman Adam Rivet for 2008-2009, his fourth year with the team.

Rivet was a finalist for last season’s Most Outstanding Defenseman award, in addition to being a 2007 CHL all-star, Rivet was named to the CHL all-rookie team 2005-2006, and was a finalist for rookie of the year in that same season, helping lead the Bucks to their second CHL Championship. 

Brahmas Add Jason Deitsch: Jason Deitsch, 28, joins the Texas Brahmas for his fifth professional season after splitting time last year in the ECHL and in Europe. In 69 games played in 2007-08, the quick forward put up 64 points.

As a member of the Cincinnati Cyclones in the ECHL, Deitsch and the Cyclones went on to win the ECHL championship Kelly Cup.

Point production and toughness latest Blazer signees: The Oklahoma City Blazers signed defenseman Oriel McHugh and veteran forward Robin Gomez. 

McHugh is entering his fifth season as a pro. Last season with the Heerenveen Flyers in The Netherlands, he recorded 20 points and served 40 penalty minutes in 35 games. Gomez is entering his seventh season in the pro ranks. Over 338 games in those seven seasons, Gomez has scored 126 points and served 1,238 penalty minutes.