The hardest part for any athlete is to just sit and watch.

Rapid City Rush defenseman Gio Flamminio was forced to do just that, missing the first 11 games of the Central Hockey League season on the 30-day injured reserve list.

He was reactivated in time for Rapid City’s home contest Nov. 17 against the Colorado Eagles.

“It’s great to be back. It was a long month sitting out. Watching the games was the toughest,” he said.

If Flamminio was skittish about putting himself in harm’s way on the ice, it didn’t show. He skated his first shift against the Eagles as if looking to make up for lost time, chasing the puck at full speed, and passing up few chances to complete a check or go nose-to-nose with an opponent.

Flamminio tallied his first point against the Colorado Eagles on Nov. 20 on an assist, and scrapped with Colorado’s Fraser Filipic.

“I like to play intense any time I’m out there. I was a little skeptical on how it would go first time out on the ice in my first real game in a month,” he said. “Once I got out there and got in a few good hits early in a close game against a good team, it wasn’t hard to stay motivated.

“Being back in the action, especially in one of the biggest games, was very relieving and exciting.”

Flamminio re-signed with the Rush after scoring seven goals and 25 assists and helping to anchor the back end.

He played in all 64 games for Rapid City in spite of suffering what the Rush called an upper body injury late in the year.

He underwent offseason surgery and returned for October’s training camp, but was placed on the injured reserve list at the start of the season to complete his recovery.

“I felt I was ready to go a month ago at the season opener,” he said.

That made sitting out all that more difficult for the 6-foot, 180-pounder from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Flamminio dressed and skated during practices, but was relegated to spectator status watching games from the mezzanine level at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Ice Arena.

“Watching the games from up top, especially when the team struggled a little bit early, and not being able to contribute when the guys were down was really tough,” Flamminio said. “And the lengthier road trips, when I was forced to just sit at home, were hard. You don’t feel like you’re part of the team, but the guys have been great about picking me up and keeping me enthused.”

Flamminio did take advantage of the higher view to critique the play on the ice.

“That was a positive I took from it. I did see the game from a different angle. It broke down some of the simpler parts of the game on my own end, the mistakes you make that you don’t see when you’re out there,” he said.

Rush coach Joe Ferras knew Flamminio would bounce back after the long month on IR.

“We knew Gio had a big injury last year and we gave him extra time to get ready. You could tell he worked hard on that extra month he had off,” Ferras said.

Being able to skate with the team kept him in decent shape, but Flamminio will still need some time to round into game condition.

“I would say after four to five high-tempo games and a couple high tempo practices, I think I’ll be back to full speed, playing special teams and getting all those minutes that I’m used to,” he said.

Ferras had to shuffle the roster to get Flamminio into the line-up. Defenseman Tim Branham was waived to open up a spot on the maximum 19-man roster.

“Pro hockey is a business and it’s tough. You have to move players,” Ferras said.

“It’s great to have Gio back and playing with strength. He’s got the hockey sense to make that first pass and play solid in the defensive zone. The boys are happy to see him back and he gives us that extra boost of energy, He has that never-quit attitude and he’s absolutely fearless.”