RAPID CITY - The ironmen are back.

The Rapid City Rush announced on Tuesday the re-signing of defensemen Gio Flamminio and Jamie VanderVeeken, who will join returning forwards Rich Hansen, Derek LeBlanc, Jon Pelle, defenseman Luke Fritshaw, goalie Miguel Beaudry and newcomer Colt King as the foundation for the Rush roster for the 2009-2010 Central Hockey League season.

Flamminio and VanderVeeken join LeBlanc and retired defenseman Mark DeSantis - now an assistant coach for Rapid City - as Rapid City's ironmen, the only players to have skated in all 64 games last year.

"Last year, the guys that played all 64 games and really excelled are the guys that we wanted back," Ferras said. "We've got back the quality kids we wanted from last year, young kids that have a lot of speed and are committed to winning."

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Flamminio, from Prince Albert, Sask., led all Rush defensemen in scoring and set career highs in assists (25), points (32), and penalty minutes (81). Flamminio tallied his 100th regular season point on Feb. 7 against the New Mexico Scorpions.

Wallaceburg, Ontario, native VanderVeeken brings a 6-2, 210-pound frame to the Rapid City blue line.

The third-year pro ended the regular season tied with Flamminio with seven goals, and also added 15 assists for 22 points and 71 penalty minutes in 64 games.

Many of the Rush players persevered through the season with injuries, but Ferras revealed Tuesday that Flamminio played all year with what was later diagnosed as a grade 4 labrum tear suffered during training camp last October.

Flamminio underwent off-season surgery and is still six to eight weeks away from full-contact hockey.

"It was grueling, that's for sure," Flamminio said of playing hurt. "I tried most of the season to just not think about it.

"I was a little timid going into the corners, but I think I'll be over that quickly, just a few hits into the boards and I'll be back to normal form."

"He's a battler. He went though all last year with an injury, and we know how tough he is," Ferras said. "I would expect him to be in that starting line-up come Oct. 17."

VanderVeeken said he's looking forward to helping Rapid City improve from a 22-33-9 mark in last year's expansion campaign.

"When I was announced today, my heart just about skipped a beat," VanderVeeken said. "To be coming back to a community and an organization like this is definitely priceless. I think as a team, our goal is to make the playoffs. And I'd like to be a plus hockey player this year and 25-30 points would be a goal for me."

"I love the community and I love the fan support. I'm looking forward to a competitive season this year and a run deep into the playoffs," echoed Flamminio.

Ferras said Tuesday's announcement, coming at Pauly's Subs and Pizzeria on East St. Patrick Street, belies that fact that it's mid-August.

"It doesn't seem like it's a 95-degree day. The season's getting real close and the guys are getting excited," Ferras said.

Eagles' Pankewicz retires, to become assistant coach: The CHL Governors' Cup champion Colorado Eagles announced the retirement of longtime captain Greg Pankewicz, who will take over the team's assistant coaching job. Pankewicz has been a member of the team since its inception, acting as an assistant captain in 2003-04 before assuming the team's captaincy ever since.

His retirement brings to an end an 18-year professional career highlighted by 21 games combined between the National Hockey League's Ottawa Senators and Calgary Flames, and two Central Hockey League championships with the Eagles (2005 and 2007) - both as team captain.

An 18-year professional, Pankewicz retires as the second-leading point producer in franchise history, but with the highest points-per-game average in the team's record book - trailing Riley Nelson by 32 points with 65 fewer games played. His all-time team-leading 207 goals, added to 257 assists for 464 points in 304 career games for Colorado computes to a 1.53 points-per-game average.

He retires after leading Colorado in points last season (with 85) for the fourth time in seven seasons as a franchise.