Six RoughRiders named to USHL prospects game

CEDAR RAPIDS - Six Cedar Rapids RoughRiders have been selected to play in the 2015 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, the United States Hockey League announced Tuesday. The game is January 13 at Dubuque's Mystique Ice Center and will be televised live on KCRG-9.2.

The RoughRiders' sextet are forwards Jiri Fronk, Adam Gaudette and Erik Foley, defenseman Bryce Hatten and goaltenders Ryan Larkin and Ben Blacker. Hatten and Blacker are part of Team West, with the other four selected for Team East.

The other goaltender on Team West is Chris Birdsall of the Youngstown Phantoms, who played two seasons for the RoughRiders. No other USHL team has six players in the game, with Youngstown and Muskegon having four each.

USHL general managers, NHL Central Scouting, NHL scouts and team personnel were consulted in picking the two 20-player rosters. All 40 players are eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft, including 30 for the first time.

'We congratulate these young players on being selected for this prestigious event as they represent an exceptional talent pool that is being developed by USHL clubs,” said Bob Fallen, USHL President and Commissioner. 'By being selected for the event, they have already captured the attention of NHL scouts, and this game provides them another opportunity to be evaluated very closely by decision makers from every NHL team. Their performances in Dubuque could certainly impact when and if their names are called in June at the 2015 NHL Draft.”

Click on the 'Roster” icon at the top right to look at the entire rosters.