RAPID CITY - The roster and coaching staff of the Central Hockey League's expansion Rapid City Rush received a boost on Tuesday.

Defenseman Mark DeSantis, 36, joins the Rush as the second player-assistant on head coach Joe Ferras' staff. DeSantis was introduced during a news conference on Tuesday at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

"I think it's an amazing opportunity to be part of both a brand new team and brand new city," DeSantis said. "Working with coach Ferras is very comforting because he is a good person and I know what kind of teams he puts together."

DeSantis, a 6-foot-1, 218-pound native of Brampton, Ontario, joins the Rush after spending last season with the Port Huron Icehawks of the International Hockey League, where in 66 games, he tallied 28 points and 64 penalty minutes. DeSantis has played in over 900 games professionally over 21 seasons tallying 153 goals and 472 assists for a total of 625 points.

"It's great to have Mark aboard as a player-assistant because as a new organization, you want to surround yourself with quality people," Ferras said. "Both Mark and Chris Lipsett are great people and leaders."

Lipsett, 33, is the Rush's other player-assistant on the staff. Lipsett scored 58 goals in 113 games as MVP for the Gorillas the last two years, and also served as player-assistant for the Gorillas during that period.

DeSantis said he will spend plenty of time over the next few weeks familiarizing himself with the roster.

"Some of the names I don't really know, but I sure will get to know them a little bit here when I do a little more research," DeSantis said. "I think good core players is what you want when you start and I think we have that."

This is not the first time DeSantis and Ferras have worked together.

Ferras and DeSantis spent time together in the CHL. DeSantis served as a player-assistant for Ferras with the Amarillo Gorillas from 2002 until 2004.

"Mark and I have a history as Mark was my player-assistant and captain for four seasons in Amarillo and he helped lead what was a struggling franchise to four consecutive CHL playoffs and two division finals," Ferras said. "Being an expansion franchise, the leadership Mark brings in the locker room and ice to a team comprised of all new faces will be invaluable."

DeSantis' resume also boasts five seasons of experience in the CHL suiting up for both the Gorillas and the San Antonio Iguanas.

During the 2000-2001 season, while playing for the New Mexico Scorpions of the Western Professional Hockey League, DeSantis earned the award for outstanding defenseman. Following that season, the WPHL and CHL combined the top markets within both leagues under the CHL banner.

"As a player-assistant in Amarillo, I learned a lot from coach Ferras and I have been down that road. I know what the title brings and I am comfortable with it," said DeSantis. "It's great to come to a place where everyone is excited about the new organization and I look forward to the upcoming season."