Rush players take to ice to help Rapid City youngsters

By Jim Holland, Journal staff | Thursday, November 13, 2008

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RAPID CITY — It’s been said that there’s nothing like a big sheet of ice to help a kid learn to stand on his or her own two feet.

At the Thunderdome Ice Arena on Monday, there were a lot of first-time skaters falling down — but getting right back up again — with the help of several Rapid City Rush hockey players.

Players from several age groups of the Rushmore Hockey Association along with youngsters from Young and Family Services and Girls, Inc., spent time earlier this week learning the nuances of skating and hockey.

The YFS and Girls, Inc., program was part of a grant from the National Hockey League Players Association announced last summer that also provided $20,000 for the purchase of 30 sets of individual hockey equipment.

RHA parent Genae Sundby Sundby, who assisted in helping to write the grant, said the aim of the grant is helping to bring hockey to youngsters who otherwise wouldn’t be able to play.

The Rushmore Hockey Association players took advantage of being off from school on Monday and Tuesday to also get in some ice time with the Rush.    

“We wanted to get all of our kids to benefit if the Rush players were willing to be there that long,” Sundby said. “We made it a couple-day deal since the kids were off of school. They had a good time in the equipment and hanging out with professional hockey players.”

And the players seemed to enjoy the experience just as much.

“It’s great to get out in the community and help some kids out,” said Rush defenseman John Neal. “We want to teach them whatever we can teach them, and promote kids to play hockey.”

Neal, from Scotland, Ontario, Canada, said he remembers National Hockey League players coming to his hometown in a region where kids are on skates almost before learning to walk.

“When you’re young you get that opportunity, maybe once or twice to get some pro hockey or ex-pro hockey guys coming out to skate with you,” he said. “It’ll stay with you forever and that’s why we try to make it special for these kids.”

Rush head coach Joe Ferras, originally from Brantford, Ontario, said he also remembers NHL players, including Hall of Fame legend Wayne Gretzky, coming to help young players

“You couldn’t sleep for three nights knowing they were coming,” Ferras recalled. “Our guys were all minor hockey kids growing up. To give back a little bit is just awesome.”

Neal said team members were ready to do something in the area to promote the game, while still in the midst of a season-opening 14-game road trip.

The Central Hockey League season opened for the Rush on Oct. 17, but because of ongoing construction at a new ice arena at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, Rapid City’s first home game isn’t scheduled until Nov. 29. 

“We haven’t played a home game yet. The guys are really anxious to play here,” Neal said. “The people here have just been unreal. The guys don’t mind giving back to the community.”