Abdelkader First of Four Current or Former Riders Chosen in NHL Draft
Published on July 30, 2005 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders News Release
Cedar Rapids, Iowa- Cedar Rapids RoughRiders forward Justin Abdelkader, Rider goaltenders Alex Stalock and Pat McGann and former Cedar Rapids netminder Joe Fallon were all selected in today's National Hockey League draft.
The four players chosen today represent an all-time high for most (current or former) RoughRiders taken in a single NHL draft. Before today a total of five RoughRiders had been drafted in the team's first five years in Cedar Rapids.
"We are very excited for each of these young men," said RoughRiders Coach and General Manager Mark Carlson. "They've all put in a lot of hard work to reach this point and this is obviously a big day for each of them. This is also a memorable day for our organization."
The Detroit Red Wings chose Abdelkader, a native of Muskegon, Michigan, with the forty-second overall pick. Abdelkader, who will begin his college career at Michigan State in the fall, was drafted earlier than any RoughRider in team history.
Stalock, who was picked by the San Jose Sharks in the fourth round with the one hundred twelfth overall selection, was the first of the three goaltenders taken. Fallon, who is heading into his sophomore season at the University of Vermont went to the Chicago Blackhawks in the sixth round with the one hundred sixty-seventh choice. McGann, who will begin his first season with the Riders in September, was tabbed by the Dallas Stars in round seven with the two hundred twenty-third choice.
Last year, in his only season in Cedar Rapids, Abdelkader scored a team record-tying 27 goals and totaled 52 points as the RoughRiders won the United States Hockey League's Clark Cup title for the first time. Abdelkader, 18, also helped the Riders to a share of the Anderson Cup regular season title and the USHL's East Division championship.
"This is absolutely a dream come true," said Abdelkader. "Growing up in Michigan you always dream of playing for the Red Wings. When I heard it was them, I was overwhelmed. I couldn't believe it."
Abdelkader joined the RoughRiders after being named Michigan's Mr. Hockey while playing for Muskegon Mona Shores High School in 2003-04.
"Playing in the USHL for Cedar Rapids was crucial," said Abdelkader. "Playing under Coach Carlson, playing in such a good league was a great experience for me."
On the heels of a stellar rookie season, Stalock will return to Cedar Rapids for a second USHL campaign in the fall. Stalock was named 2005 Clark Cup Playoff Most Valuable Player after going 7-2 with a microscopic 1.44 goals against average and a sterling .950 save percentage during the postseason. The 18-year South St. Paul, Minnesota, native was nearly as impressive during the regular season, posting a 19-9-3 record, a 2.73 goals against average and a .905 save percentage. Beginning in 2006-07, Stalock will play his college hockey at Minnesota-Duluth.
Fallon was drafted by the Blackhawks after enjoying a breakthrough freshman campaign at Vermont. The 20-year old went 17-10-4 with a 1.96 goals against average, a .921 save percentage and five shutouts for the Catamounts last season. Fallon broke school records for lowest goals against average and most shutouts and posted the second best save percentage in UVM history. For his efforts, Fallon was named Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year and New England Rookie of the Year and was selected to the US College Hockey Online and Insidecollegehockey.com All-Rookie Teams as well as the ECAC All-Rookie Team.
Fallon spent two standout seasons with the RoughRiders before heading to Vermont. In 84 career games as a Rider, Fallon went 45-28-8 with a 2.66 goals against average, a .909 save percentage and six shutouts. In 2004-05- his final junior campaign- Fallon posted some of the best goaltending numbers in the USHL, going 25-13-2 while turning in a 2.73 goals against average, a .910 save percentage and four shutouts. McGann, 18, will join the RoughRiders this season after playing midget hockey for Team Illinois last year. The Riders selected the native of Evergreen Park, Illinois, in the nineteenth round of May's USHL draft.
Prior to this year, no Rider had been taken earlier than the sixth round. The five Riders previously drafted were Derek Peltier (Colorado, 2004), Nate Perkovich (New Jersey, 2004), P.J. Atherton (Tampa Bay, 2002), Bobby Goepfert (Pittsburgh 2002) and Dave Moss (Calgary, 2001).
The RoughRiders will open the 2005-06 season on September 24 when they meet the Tri-City Storm in Kearney, Nebraska. The Riders will open on home ice on Saturday, October 8 when they play host to the Green Bay Gamblers at 7:05PM.
2005-06 RoughRiders season tickets are currently available through the Riders' business office (247-0340). Fans who pay for season tickets in full before August 31 will receive a discount in addition to a host of other benefits available exclusively to season ticket holders.
United States Hockey League Stories from July 30, 2005
- Abdelkader First of Four Current or Former Riders Chosen in NHL Draft - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
- Oshie, Finely taken in first round of NHL Entry Draft - Sioux Falls Stampede
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