RAPID CITY - R.G. Flath, 23, of Park City, Utah, joins the growing roster of the expansion Rapid City Rush and former teammate Miguel Beaudry.

Flath began his professional hockey career last season with the Central Hockey League Oklahoma City Blazers and finished the season with the Austin Ice Bats.

"I can't wait to start playing and winning games. I have the itch to get the season going," said Flath. "I feel that we are going to have a great team and make a real run at the championship. We have forwards that can score, a solid defensive core, and I know first-hand how Beads (Beaudry) can play."

During his first professional hockey season, Flath played in 57 games earning 20 goals and 23 assists for 43 points.

"R.G. had a great first year as pro, after starting slow he developed into a go-to-guy for Austin and was instrumental in helping the Ice Bats earn a play-off spot," said Rush head coach Joe Ferras. "R.G. is very strong on the puck and is willing to go into tough areas to make the play and you can't have enough 20 goal scorers."

Prior to playing professionally in the CHL, Flath played two years in the NCAA for Milwaukee School of Engineering. From 2001 to 2005, he played for the Soo Indians in the North American Hockey League.

"The experience of everyone in the organization," Flath said about why he decided to play for the Rush. "Everything has been done first class, and as a player, that's something you really look for. Second the quality of life in Rapid City. I did a lot of research on the town and found nothing but good things."

Ferras said Flath was a player he targeted after seeing him play several times last season.

"After speaking with his former head coach Brent Hughes and how he felt that R.G. became a key player for the Ice Bats in his first pro season as the year progressed and he was given more opportunity," Ferras said. "This reassured me that the Rush was getting a quality player that will only get better as his pro career continues."