Central Hockey League (CHL) Commissioner Duane Lewis announced today that the reigning CHL Champion and Ray Miron Presidents’ Cup holder Rapid City Rush and the city of Rapid City, South Dakota will host the 2011 Central Hockey League All-Star Game at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Arena on Wednesday, January 12, 2011.
“We are pleased to select the Rapid City Rush and their community as the hosts for the 2011 CHL All-Star Game. They certainly have earned this All-Star Game for their fans and organization,” said Lewis. “Rush ownership and management made a compelling presentation outlining the events they had envisioned, and coming off their championship season, this seems even more fitting. Rapid City has one of the top fan bases in the CHL and we are thrilled to be able to award this game to the Rush.”
The Rush and head coach Joe Ferras (2010 CHL Coach of the Year) will form one team in the match-up and will be opposed by a team of CHL All-Stars comprised of players from the other 17 CHL member teams.
“After the tremendous season we had and now with the CHL awarding Rapid City the 2011 All-Star game, we are humbled and very appreciative,” said Ferras. “This event will serve as a remarkable experience, not only for the Rush organization and its fans, but for those players who will get a chance to experience Rapid City first hand. With it being the first All-Star Game here in Rapid City, those making the trip will have an opportunity to see our tremendous set up, our beautiful city and witness firsthand the incredible community support. The event will allow the Rush to showcase what a first class organization it is and we are privileged to be awarded the 2011 CHL All-Star Game.”
The logo for the game was also unveiled and can be seen at www.centralhockeyleague.com.
Sites of the last five CHL All-Star Games
2010 – Laredo, Texas
2009 – Loveland, Colorado
2008 – Broomfield, Colorado
2007 – Bossier City, Louisiana
2006 – Hidalgo, Texas
About the CHL
The CHL will be entering its 19th season this fall with 18 member teams playing across 12 states. This season marks a historic one for the league after the CHL and the International Hockey League (IHL), boasting 59 years of professional hockey, joined forces on June 1, 2010 creating a super league. The CHL and IHL combined to draw close to three million fans during the 2009-10 season. The CHL is administered by a wholly-owned subsidiary of Global Entertainment Corporation (Global Stock Symbol: GNTP), a company engaged in sports management, multi-purpose events and entertainment center and related real estate development, facility and venue management and marketing, venue food services and venue ticketing. For more information about the CHL visit the league’s website at www.centralhockeyleague.com and for more information about Global Entertainment visit www.globalentertainment2000.com.
About the Rapid City Rush
The Rapid City Rush are beginning their third season as a franchise and have experienced immediate success winning the CHL Championship in just their second year. As a franchise, the Rush have entertained their fans off the ice serving as a strong community presence and on the ice coming off a 43-14-7 season winning the Northern Conference. Last season, the Rush averaged 4,811 fans (fifth in the CHL) selling out 13 of their 32 home games.
