USHL Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

RoughRiders' Stalock named USHL goaltender of the year, all-USHL first team

Published on March 27, 2006 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders News Release


Cedar Rapids, Iowa- Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Goaltender Al Stalock has been named the United States Hockey League's 2005-06 Goaltender of the Year. Stalock was also named to the All-USHL First Team, while Rider forwards Chad Costello and Ted Purcell made the All-USHL Second Team.

"We're certainly very proud of Al, Chad and Teddy," said RoughRiders Coach and General Manager Mark Carlson. "They've all worked very hard this season and have done an awful lot to help us get where we are."

In his second season with the RoughRiders, Stalock led the league in wins (28), save percentage (.931) and saves (1511). The South St. Paul, Minnesota, native ranked second in minutes played (2641:21), was tied for third in shutouts (4) and finished sixth in goals against average (2.54).

Stalock set new RoughRider records for most wins and saves in one season. He also tied a team record for most saves in one game on March 17 when he stopped 52 shots in a 2-1 shootout loss to Tri-City.

Stalock claimed USHL Defensive Player of the Week honors three times this season and was also named the league's December Goaltender of the Month.

Stalock is a Rider assistant captain, as is Purcell.

This is Stalock's second season with the RoughRiders. He went 19-9-3 with a 2.73 goals against average, a .905 save percentage and one shutout last year. In the playoffs, Stalock backstopped the Riders to the first Clark Cup title in club history, turning in a 7-2-0 record, a 1.44 goals against average, a .950 save percentage and one shutout.

Stalock joins Bobby Goepfert as the second Rider to earn USHL Goaltender of the Year honors. Goepfert took home the award following the 2001-02 season. The Riders originally acquired Stalock in July of 2004 in a trade with the Sioux Falls Stampede. Stalock will begin his college career at Minnesota-Duluth next season. Costello (30-45-75) finished the regular season tied for the league point scoring lead. The Johnston native also ranked third in assists, finished tied for third in goals and tied for fifth in power play goals (12).

Costello this year set new Rider team records for goals and points in one season.

Costello was selected by the RoughRiders in the fifth round of the May, 2005 USHL draft with the forty-sixth overall choice after playing for the Wichita Falls Wildcats of the North American Hockey League last season. Costello finished the 2004-05 season tied for eighth in the NAHL in goals (29) and tied for ninth in points (34). He returned to the USHL this season after playing for the Des Moines Buccaneers two years ago. He is the first Iowa native to ever play for the RoughRiders.

Costello will play college hockey at Northeastern University in Boston beginning in the fall.

Purcell (18-52-70) led the league in assists and finished tied for third in points. The St. John's, Newfoundland, native will finish his two-year RoughRider career as the team's all time leader in points (137) and assists (99). Purcell this year also established a new club single season assist record.

This is Purcell's second straight All-USHL Second Team selection. He has also played in each of the last two USHL Prospects/All-Star Games. Both Costello and Stalock also played in this season's All-Star Game.

Last season Purcell finished fourth in the league in points (67) and set a Rider record for most points (14) in one post-season campaign. Purcell will start his college career at Maine next season.

Stalock, Costello, Purcell and the rest of the RoughRiders are fresh off a second straight East Division title. The Riders (33-21-6, 72 points) finished tied for first in the east with the Des Moines Buccaneers. The defending champion Riders open the Clark Cup playoffs tomorrow evening at 6:05 against the Indiana Ice in Indianapolis. The Riders will host the second and third games of the best-of-five opening round series Friday and Saturday nights at 7:05. If a fourth game is necessary, it will be played in Indianapolis on Thursday, April 6. Should the series go the full five games, the Riders would host the deciding contest on Saturday, April 8 at 7:05PM.

Tickets for the Riders' first two home playoff games are now on sale at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena ticket office. Tickets can be purchased over the phone at (319) 261-4625, in person at the ice arena or on line at www.roughridershockey.com. The ticket office is open from noon to 5:00PM on weekdays and from noon through the end of the second period on game days. Playoff ticket prices range from $8 to $18 including a 50-cent facility fee.

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 27, 2006


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