On June 2, 2007, the Central Hockey League announced an expansion team for Rapid City, which began play in the 2008–09 season.

[1] Two months later, the team named Joe Ferras as their head coach and director of hockey operations, and Jason Rent as general manager.

In their second season (2009–10), the Rush defeated the Allen Americans 4–3 with 39.3 seconds left in double-overtime in Game 6 of the Ray Miron President's Cup Finals at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City to win the Ray Miron President's Cup.

Rush All-Star and fan favorite goalie Danny Battochio was able to return to the team after suffering a serious injury in the 2011–12 season.

During the regular season, inconsistent play left the Rush battling for a play-off spot and were plagued with a low-scoring offense (last in the league).

Goaltender Tim Boron was released, and former CHL Rookie of the Year Danny Battochio was signed to replace him.

On October 7, 2014, soon before the 2014–15 CHL season was set to begin, it was announced that the CHL had ceased operations and the Rush, along with the Allen Americans, Brampton Beast, Quad City Mallards, Missouri Mavericks, Tulsa Oilers, and Wichita Thunder, were all approved for membership into the ECHL for the 2014–15 season.

[13] On January 11, 2019, the Rush announced an ownership change with Barry Peterson departing and Jeff Dickerson and T.J. Puchyr of Spire Sports + Entertainment joining.

[14] On July 24, 2019, the Rush began a two-year affiliation agreement with the Arizona Coyotes and the Tucson Roadrunners.

[15] By October 2019, Federal Authorities had launched a criminal investigation into possible embezzlement by the team business manager.