Cedar Rapids RoughRiders are a new-look team playing their opener in a new-look arena

CEDAR RAPIDS — Those attending Saturday night’s home opener for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders at ImOn Ice will notice something.

New seats.

Upgrades were completed over the summer to the 23-year-old facility, the one and only home of the United States Hockey League club. The $800,000 project included ceiling painting, HVAC improvements and replacement of over 3,000 fixed seats at the arena.

The seats were the originals at the arena. Gone are the purple, blue and white color scheme, in favor of green, black and silver, the RoughRiders’ colors.

“The RoughRiders are proud to play at the ImOn Ice Arena and are grateful for the partnership with the City of Cedar Rapids and their ongoing commitment to make our home arena one of the best in all of junior hockey,” RoughRiders Coach/President Mark Carlson said. “The new seating, painting, along with the additions over the last two seasons present an incredible fan experience that is among the best in all of hockey.”

The latest project was the final phase of a $1.5-million arena improvement plan announced by the city of Cedar Rapids in 2019. That doesn’t include the massive repairs needed for the building from massive damage sustained in the August 2020 derecho.

“The ImOn Ice Arena is a valuable asset for Cedar Rapids, welcoming ongoing recreational, educational and cultural opportunities for our community,” said Cedar Rapids City Manager Jeff Pomeranz. “The City Council has been absolutely committed to maintaining this facility in excellent condition and ensuring the continued prosperity of the venue.”

On the ice, the RoughRiders opened their 2023-24 season last week by splitting a pair of games at the USHL Fall Classic in Pittsburgh. Cedar Rapids dropped its opener to Sioux Falls, 5-2, then beat Youngstown, 5-1.

Dominic Elliott and Issac Johnson had C.R.’s goals against Sioux Falls. Cade Littler had a hat trick against Youngstown, his third goal coming on a delayed penalty against the RoughRiders in which a Youngstown player accidentally threw a puck off of him and into an empty net.

Riley Fitzgerald and Connor Smith also had goals for Cedar Rapids. Rudy Guimond picked up the win in net.

“Felt pretty good for four periods, just OK for two,” Carlson said, when asked to evaluate his team’s play in Pittsburgh. “I thought that we were improving as we went on ... We’ve got tons of work to do.”

This is the least experienced team up front that the RoughRiders have ever had considering their top 13 scorers from last season have moved on to college or professional hockey. The club does have five returning defensemen, as well as second-year goaltender Sam Scopa.

It has two players who are National Hockey League draft picks in Littler (Calgary Flames) and Guimond (Detroit Red Wings). Dubuque is Saturday night’s opponent, by the way.

Opening faceoff is 7:05.

“We’ve got more new forwards than we’ve ever had,” Carlson said. “They’re all working together, they’re all getting better together. That’s good.”

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