Rush Begin Offseason with Return of Riley Weselowski

(Rapid City, SD) – On Thursday, the Rapid City Rush officially signed their first returnee for the 2012-13 season, announcing the return of reigning Central Hockey League (CHL) ‘Defenseman of the Year’ and ‘Man of the Year’, Riley Weselowski. 

“Today is a big day for the team,” said Rush General Manager Tim Hill.  “To bring back Riley, an All-Star and the CHL’s Most Outstanding Defenseman, is obviously huge for the team itself.  However, even more important is the impact he has representing the Rush off the ice and in the Rapid City community.  He’s the reigning ‘Man of the Year’ for a reason and these are the type of young men we want in this organization. 

Weselowski was the foundation of the Rush’s defense this season, establishing career-highs in goals (9) and assists (33) and points (43).  Among all CHL defenseman, Weselowski ranked 4th in assists, points and rating (+23) en route to earning ‘Defenseman of the Year Honors’.  The Pilot Mound, Manitoba native also received ‘CHL Man of the Year’ honors which is ‘presented annually to the Central Hockey League player adjudged to have best exemplified strong leadership qualities on and off the ice, while making significant and noteworthy humanitarian contributions to his community’.

“I am very excited to be returning to Rapid City for another season,” stated Weselowski.  “Over the past three years I have gotten to know many people in the Black Hills on a personal level and there are no other fans that I would want to play in front of on a nightly basis.  The product that the Rush put on the ice year in and year out is second to none as this entire organization has shown great commitment to being the best team possible every year that I have played here, and this year will be no different.  Getting this deal done so early will now allow me to spend my summer here in South Dakota training for the upcoming season and enjoying, in my opinion, one of the best summer destinations that the United States has to offer.  I want to thank the best fans in the CHL for their continued support and I am already looking forward to another season of hockey here in Rapid City.”

Weselowski, 27, was also named to the 2011-12 All-CHL team and selected as a reserve for the 2012 CHL All-Star Game.  In 152 career games in the CHL, the 6-0, 190-pound defenseman has scored 14 goals with 59 assists and is a combined +64 during the three seasons.  Last year, Weselowski scored four more goals and has eleven more points than his first two seasons with Rapid City combined.

“With Riley coming off his best season as a professional, we knew he would have several options on where to continue his hockey career,” said Rush Head Coach Joe Ferras.  “With him making the decision to stay with the Rush and anchor our d-corps, we couldn’t be happier.  I am looking for Riley to build off his on-ice performance and continue to be a great example as a professional for the younger players coming in.  He’s been instrumental since his arrival both on the ice and in the Rapid City community.  As evident by winning the CHL ‘Man of the Year’ award, Riley exemplifies the type of people that we want representing the Rapid City Rush organization and the character guys we want putting on the Rapid City Rush jersey.”