RoughRiders Named USHL Organization of the Year

Press Release

The United States Hockey League announced that the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders have been voted by their fellow Member Clubs as the 2010-11 USHL Organization of the Year and that the team's president, Jeff Jauch, has been selected as the 2010-11 Dave Tyler USHL Executive of the Year. It is the first time that the RoughRiders have earned either award.

"There's no question that the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders are one of the good news stories in all of hockey," said USHL Commissioner Skip Prince. "With the support of owner Tony Sdao, they've exemplified what the USHL stands for – both on and off the ice. In only his second year with the team, President Jeff Jauch has led a young staff that is as driven on the business side as the players are under Mark Carlson (Coach of the Year) – while at the same time providing an unmatched level of contribution and commitment to the Cedar Rapids community. To Jeff, as USHL Executive of the Year, and to the entire organization – the League's best for 2010-11 – we offer both congratulations and thanks."

The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders had one of their most successful seasons in the history of the organization both on and off the ice. They welcomed nearly 90,000 fans to the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena during the regular season, which was an improvement of more than 300 fans per game from the previous season. It was the highest attendance for the RoughRiders since the 2003-04 season. The organization has made numerous updates and improvements to the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena over the past two seasons and has created one of the most exciting and fan-friendly game night experiences in the USHL.

On the ice, they finished the regular season with the best record in the USHL at 42-12-6 (90 points) to capture the second Anderson Cup title in team history. They equaled a team record for victories (42) and setting a new club record for points in the standings (90). Brady Hjelle was named the USHL Goaltender of the Year and set a new League record for a goaltender by winning 40 games this season. He along with forward Jayson Megna were also named to the All-USHL First Team. Head Coach Mark Carlson earned his 400th victory on March 22nd vs. Des Moines, becoming just one of seven coaches to reach that milestone in their USHL careers.

The RoughRiders continue to develop players for the next levels of hockey as 17 players who spent time in Cedar Rapids this season have commitments to NCAA Division I programs. RoughRiders alumni also excelled this season as eight former players took the ice in the NHL, including three that made their NHL debut – Alex Stalock (San Jose Sharks), Tommy Wingels (San Jose Sharks), and Richard Bachman (Dallas Stars). Another former RoughRider earned college hockey's top individual award as Miami University senior Andy Miele was named the 2011 recipient of the Hobey Baker Award, the fourth USHL alumni to win the award.

The team had a ground-breaking outreach effort when it worked with the local ABC television affiliate, KCRG-TV, to produce the first-ever live television broadcast of a RoughRiders game this season when it aired the February 26th game versus the rival Waterloo Black Hawks. It was a 3-2 win for the RoughRiders in front of a sold out crowd in addition to the television viewership throughout eastern Iowa.

Being one of the highest scoring teams in the USHL also benefitted the local community as the RoughRiders teamed up with CarePro Health Services to help the Horizons "Meals on Wheels" program. For each of the 236 goals scored by the RoughRiders over the regular season and playoffs, CarePro Health Services made a $5 donation that was used to provide meals for senior citizens. Not only did they score the goals, RoughRiders players helped deliver the meals each week to homes in the Cedar Rapids area.

Additional community outreach efforts by the RoughRiders included special jersey auctions throughout the 2010-11 season that benefitted multiple charitable organizations – ALS, the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Wounded Warriors Foundation, and Camp Courageous.

Leading the RoughRiders' efforts this season was President/CEO Jeff Jauch. It was his second season in the USHL as part of the group that purchased the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in May of 2009. Jauch has strong ties to the Cedar Rapids area as his father, Ray Jauch, was an assistant football coach and student-athlete at nearby University of Iowa. Jeff Jauch attended the University of North Dakota and was inducted into the UND Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 1970 Fighting Sioux football team. Prior to coming to Cedar Rapids, he had spent more than 20 years developing business throughout the USA, Europe, and China along with multiple community organizations supporting athletic programs for the betterment of youth.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)