ECHL: Chaz Smedsrud Returns to the Rapid City Rush

The Rapid City Rush have announced that they have re-signed 6’2″ forward Chaz Smedsrud for the 2025-26 season.

Junior and Collegiate Career

Chaz Smedsrud started his junior career in the 2016-17 season with the Notre Dame Hounds in the SJHL. Smedsrud spent two seasons with the Hounds where he played in 103 games, registering 44 goals and 50 assists for 94 points with 40 penalty minutes.

Smedsrud then spent one season in the USHL playing for the Madison Capitols. He played in 62 games with the Capitols where he had 11 goals and 13 assists for 24 points with 16 penalty minutes and a -18.

After completing his junior career, Smedsrud started his collegiate career playing Division I hockey at Union College. Smedsrud spent five seasons at Union where he was an alternate captain in his final season. In his five seasons at Union, Smedsrud played in 141 games where he had 29 goals and 33 assists for 62 points with 32 penalty minutes and a -20.

Professional Career

Smedsrud completed his collegiate career after the 2023-24 season, where he then signed in the ECHL with the Allen Americans. He was then traded to the Rush in the 2024-25 season. Smedsrud has played in a total of 80 ECHL games, where he has 15 goals and 33 assists for 48 points with 16 penalty minutes and a -18. With the Rush last season, Smedsrud played in 68 games where he had 12 goals and 29 assists for 41 points with 14 penalty minutes and a -15.

Smedsrud is a great re-signing for the Rush. Smedsrud was able to really find his offensive game with the Rush. He knows where to be in order to get the puck and is really good at getting himself open in order to receive a pass, allowing him to score more. He is also really good at being able to set up teammates to score when he is unable to. Smedsrud finished fourth in points with the Rush and third in assists in the 2024-25 season.