Cedar Rapids RoughRiders defenseman Joe Fleming to sign with NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights

CEDAR RAPIDS —Joe Fleming had opportunities to attend development camps with other National Hockey League teams.

But, hey, Vegas, baby!

The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders defenseman is soon to be the former Cedar Rapids RoughRiders defenseman. He said Wednesday night he will soon sign an entry level contract with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Details of the deal are still being worked out, he said. Fleming was one of 44 players who participated in Vegas’ 2022 Development Camp. Guys who attend NHL team development camps generally are draft picks of the specific club, mostly who have not turned pro, yet, as well as other hopefuls.

Fleming was among the “hopefuls” who obviously made a huge impression.

“There were other teams interested, but Vegas was the one I really wanted to go to,” Fleming said. “Just how cool it is in Vegas, how cool the fans are and everything. It’s Vegas, and I just kind of wanted to check it out.”

The 19-year-old had two goals and 14 assists in 60 games this past season for the RoughRiders, but offense isn’t his biggest thing. Playing big is, as the 6-foot, 215-pounder is a rugged mostly stay-at-home type who led the United States Hockey League in penalty minutes with 202.

The son of a former Canadian Football League defensive lineman, Fleming embraces contact and the physical aspects of his position. He showed last season he’d just as soon hit you as look at you.

He was slated to return to Cedar Rapids for one more season of junior hockey before heading to Northeastern University, where he had committed. Things have changed.

“Playing in Cedar Rapids was an awesome thing for me,” Fleming said, mentioning head coach Mark Carlson and his assistants. “The city was awesome. It was definitely a hard decision. But my goal since I was a kid has been to play pro hockey.

“I can’t thank Cedar Rapids enough. Everyone. From the fans to my billet parents, it was so great. I wouldn’t have changed that experience for the world.”

Eighteen former RoughRiders attended NHL development camps this summer, including Nate Smith (Arizona Coyotes) and Marc McLaughlin (Boston Bruins), guys who made their NHL debuts late this season after signing with their respective clubs following college careers.

Fleming said he did not have any expectations that attending Vegas’ development camp would lead to a contract offer. His case certainly is unusual.

“I just tried to put my head down and play the best hockey I possibly could play,” he said. “That was it.“

Comments: jeff.johnson@thegazette.com