Rocky Mountain Rage power forward Colt King was a real thorn in the side of the Rapid City Rush during Rapid City's inaugural season in the Central Hockey League.

Now King is on Rapid City's side.

The Rush announced Thursday that King, a 6-2, 225-pound native of Thunder Bay, Ontario, will skate in a No. 45 Rapid City jersey for the 2009-2010 season.

King's acquisition is the first signing of a player not on the Rush's roster last year.

King became a free agent when the Rage announced earlier this month plans to cease operations for the upcoming season.

King had his best season in his second year with the Rage last season. In 61 games, King tallied a career-high 28 goals and 40 assists for 68 points and 168 penalty minutes. His goal total for the Rage equaled that of teammate Daymen Rycroft and also tied him for 16th in league scoring.

Of those totals, King scored eight goals and two assists and added 23 penalty minutes in eight gamesagainst Rapid City.

"As a player last year playing against Colt, you knew you were in for a tough battle," said Rapid City assistant coach Mark DeSantis. "He's fearless as far as toughness, but you also have to be aware of his scoring touch.

"For me he was one of the, if not the toughest player to play against because he had it all, physicality as well as a scoring touch. As an opposing player, it is imperative that you be aware of Colt at all times. Now, I feel, out of all the free agents from the teams going dark, we got one of the best out of all of them," DeSantis said.