RAPID CITY - Darkness and anonymity marked the Rapid City Rush's debut in the Central Hockey League.

Five months later, Rapid City's newest professional sports franchise is a shining light in the CHL.

When the Rush took to the ice for the first time against the Colorado Eagles back on Oct. 17, players weren't even introduced at the Budweiser Event Center in Loveland, Colo.,

Eagle players skated through fountains of fireworks at one end of the rink, while Rush players warmed up in the shadows at the far end, circling, as one fan observed, "like sharks."

After a league-record-tying 14 games on the road to start the season, the Rush made their home debut at the brand-new Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Ice Arena before the first of 10 home sell-outs on Nov. 29, lighting up the scoreboard in a memorable 4-0 win over the same Colorado Eagles.

Rapid City (22-33-9) failed to make the playoffs, but the Rush found success off the ice, averaging more than 4,100 spectators.

"With the great crowds, the number of sellouts we've had here, the community has responded to professional hockey and the CHL. Rapid City is a place to play," said Rick Cozuback, president of Global Entertainment, the parent company of the CHL.

For Rush head coach Joe Ferras, the Rush's home opener, a 4-0 blanking of Colorado on Nov. 29 was culmination of 15 months of work.

"When it all came to fruition on opening night, seeing that puck drop was close as I've come to tearing up," Ferras said. "It was very emotional."

A roster with as many as nine rookies struggled at times with consistency, but several stars emerged from the crop of newcomers, including Derek LeBlanc, Blaine Jarvis, Jon Pelle, Brady Olsen, Joey Olson and goalie Lanny Ramage.

Fifth-year pro Rich Hansen, picked to be a starter in January's CHL All-Star game, tallied 64 points on 18 goals and 46 assists to lead Rapid City.

Forward Chris Lipsett, joined by veteran D-man Mark DeSantis as player-assistant coaches, scored 56 points on 29 assists and a team-leading 27 goals.

LeBlanc, a rookie, was second with 26 goals scored and added 19 assists for 45 points, the majority coming in the second half of the season.

"I came in here with not a lot of confidence and kind of struggled for the first couple of months. I started skating with Jon Pelle and Rich Hansen and that got the ball rolling," LeBlanc said. "The first home game was the first game I played with Jon and I think we had a little chemistry there."

"As a coach it's so rewarding to see the development of players like that," Ferras said.

"All those kids are the core group we want to build around, LeBlanc, Jarvis, Fritshaw, Pelle and Flamminio, the guys that compete every single night," he said.

Anchoring the defense were goalies Miguel Beaudry and Ramage, along with Flamminio, Fritshaw, Jason Goulet, Jamie VanderVeeken, Eric Nelson and DeSantis, who reached the 1000-career game plateau and announced his retirement at the end of the season.

Late injuries hit the line-up hard, sidelining forwards Kyle Sheen, R.G. Flath, and hampering Hansen, Beaudry, Fritshaw and Flamminio.

Mitch Stephens, Derek LeGault, Matt Zultek and Ryan-James Hand were effective late-season acquisitions.

"It's disappointing that we didn't have the kind of season we wanted, not making the playoffs, but we had a great group of guys," LeBlanc said. "Everybody really gelled there at the end of the year."

Ferras paid particular tribute to owners Scott Mueller, Barry Peterson and Donnie Ward.

"The financial commitment they've made is incredible. We've become a standard that other teams want to model after, not just our league but other leagues too. That's something we're very proud of," Ferras said

Their season over, players will complete exit physicals this week. Most will head for their hometowns by the end of the month. Ferras will travel this week to New York to watch stepson Tayler Chomisky play in a National Junior tournament, then will begin scouting NCAA college tournaments for prospects.

Next year is now for the Rapid City Rush.

"The nucleus is here. The coaching staff is excited - I know the owners are - and we're looking forward to more on-ice success here next year," Cozuback said.