USHL Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

RoughRiders' Slater Commits to Western Michigan, Phillips to Denver

Published on July 6, 2007 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders News Release


Cedar Rapids, Iowa- Cedar Rapids RoughRiders forward Ian Slater has committed to Western Michigan University, while Riders defenseman Paul Phillips will play his college hockey at the University of Denver, the RoughRiders announced today. Both Slater and Phillips will spend the 2007-08 season with the RoughRiders.

"We're very happy for both of these young men," said RoughRiders Coach and General Manager Mark Carlson. "Ian has worked hard and been an important part of our team since he got here. Paul is a very good young defenseman who we are looking forward to working with."

Slater, 19, is approaching his third season in Cedar Rapids. Last year the Satellite Beach, Florida, native scored 15 goals and totaled 33 points in 59 games while posting a plus/minus rating of +15- tied for second best on the team- and piling up 115 penalty minutes. No returning Rider scored more goals than Slater last season. In 2005-06- his first United States Hockey League season- Slater scored five goals and notched seven points in forty games.

Slater was originally selected by the RoughRiders in the seventeenth round of the 2005 USHL Draft with the one hundred forty-fifth overall choice.

Western Michigan (18-18-1 overall, 14-13-1 conference) finished sixth in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association last season.

Phillips, 15, is closing in on his first USHL campaign after playing midget hockey for the Chicago Chill last season. The Darien, Illinois, product was the Riders' sixth round pick- number 67 overall- in this May's USHL Draft.

Earlier this week Phillips was named to the United States Under-17 Select Team that will play in the 2007 Five Nations Tournament August 20-24 in Strakonice, Tabor and Pribram, Czech Republic.

Denver (21-15-4 overall, 13-11-4 conference) finished fourth in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association last season. The Pioneers have won more than 20 games each of the last six seasons and won back-to-back national titles in 2004 and 2005. In addition to Slater and Phillips, returning Riders David Boehm (Massachusetts) and Matt Tomassoni (Miami of Ohio) have also already made college commitments.

The RoughRiders will open their ninth season in Cedar Rapids this fall. 2007-08 season tickets are currently available through the RoughRiders' business office (319-247-0340). Fans who pay for season tickets in full before August 15 will receive a significant discount in addition to a host of other benefits available exclusively to season ticket holders.

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United States Hockey League Stories from July 6, 2007


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