RAPID CITY - Joe Ferras says his job of building the Rapid City Rush's new roster of Central Hockey League players is easier the second time around.

Just a little easier.

Instead of building the entire 19-member roster from scratch, Ferras has a shopping list, both with names of last year's players that he'd like to have back in a Rush sweater come next October, and a list of veteran and rookie prospects to complete the set.

Ferras doesn't have to re-invent the wheel when it comes to the Rush, just replace some spokes.

"There are about nine players, the core group from last year, that we want back. That's our priority," Ferras said. "Those are the players it took me 18 months to get to."

Last week, two key pieces of the puzzle, forwards Derek LeBlanc and all-star forward Rich Hansen, re-signed with Rapid City.

Goaltender Miguel Beaudry re-upped this week, but Ferras will need to find another netminder to replace rookie Lanny Ramage and fan favorite forward Kyle Sheen, both picked up by the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees to complete two separate trades with Rapid City from last season.

Ferras said having the new Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Ice Arena open and the expansion label off the team smoothes the process of getting prospective players to look at the franchise.

"That's a huge thing for a hockey club. I don't want to say it's easier, but we're much more well-known out there in the pro hockey circuit," Ferras said. "Now everybody knows Rapid City is on the map, and they know we're not going to have to start the season with 40 days on the road like we did last year. We have one of the nicest venues in AA hockey," he said.

One thing that hasn't changed is the quest to find the right combination of returnees and newcomers.

"We want to make sure we're going after the right caliber players, and that every player coming in here is going to make our hockey club better," he said.

The Rush unveiled a new recruitment video, available for viewing on www.rapidcityrush.com.

Last year's video touted Rapid City in general, along with the prospects for the upcoming Rush expansion season in the CHL.

The new video features the on-ice successes of the team during their first year along with the team's housing, recreation and travel amenities offered to players coming to Rapid City.

"People always want to know what makes Rapid City different from an Oklahoma City or an Amarillo or Wichita. Letting (players) know what type of setup we have here is pretty bencficial in the long run," Ferras said.

Also in the video, Ferras mentions an NHL preseason game to be played in Rapid City on Sept. 17.

Ferras said that event is close to being finalized, but details probably won't be announced until after the NHL draft and the 2009-2010 NHL schedule is announced in July.

Also in the works, he said, is a Rush affiliation with an upper-level minor hockey league team.

That opens the door for Rapid City players to attend season-opening camps with the higher level teams, along with bringing potential AHL or even NHL player prospects to Rapid City.

Ferras said the pace of player signings and other announcements will begin to pick up after the Central Hockey League's annual meetings in June in Phoenix.

Re-alignment of divisions and conferences with the addition of two expansion teams in Allen, Texas, and Independence, Mo., will be a key topic at the meetings.