RAPID CITY, South Dakota – The Rapid City Rush, the Black Hills’ professional ECHL team, received a boost to their roster Friday with the assignment of six players from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers. The returning core includes three players who signed AHL contracts with Calgary this offseason, underscoring the importance of the Rapid City pipeline in the Calgary Flames organization.
The group includes four forwards, one defenseman, and one goaltender, all set to join the 2025 Rush Training Camp, presented by Shipwrecks Bar and Grill.
Forward Blake Bennett, 26, is back after a breakout performance last season, where he led the ECHL in goals, points, and shots on goal from his season debut in mid-January. The Grand Island, New York, native scored 27 goals and 52 points in just 37 games for the Rush, earning his first AHL contract this offseason.
He is joined by two other players who earned two-way deals with the Wranglers: forward Brett Davis, 26, and defenseman Chase Pauls, 21. Davis was the Rush’s most consistent scorer in the first half of last season, tallying 13 goals and 25 points in 33 games before earning a call-up to Calgary. Pauls, a 6-foot-5 defenseman, flourished as the youngest player on the Rush last year, posting 12 points and a plus-8 rating in 36 games after a January trade.
In net, a familiar face returns as goaltender Connor Murphy, 27, begins his third professional season, all within the Calgary organization. Murphy led the Rush in both goals-against average (3.02) and save percentage (.914) last season and even signed an NHL deal with the Flames in March 2025.
Two other forwards join the South Dakota club, including 25-year-old Ryan Chyzowski, who is in his fifth year pro and spent last season in the Winnipeg organization. He brings 70 career AHL games to the Rush. Forward Briley Wood, 22, enters his second professional season after leading the Utah Grizzlies in goals (20) last year.
The 2025 Rush Training Camp begins Saturday, Oct. 4, in Rapid City. The team’s 18th home opener, marking the beginning of the 2025-26 season at The Monument Ice Arena, is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 24, against the Wichita Thunder. The home opener is the first of a two-night “Rally Weekend” series.
Fans interested in attending home games can purchase single-game tickets, season tickets, or mini-packs now. The Rush office can be reached at 605-716-7825 or visit rapidcityrush.com for information on all 24 promotional and theme nights, including Midnight Madness, Teddy Bear Toss, and Star Wars Night.