Corridor Cross Checks: Tributes to Mark Carlson

CEDAR RAPIDS — About a month ago, it was thought that Cedar Rapids RoughRiders head coach/general manager/president Mark Carlson was about to break the United States Hockey League mark for most career coaching victories.

But just as he was believed to be one win from tying P.K. O’Handley, the USHL did a deeper dive into both guys’ records and determined Carlson actually was likely 30-some wins from tying the former North Iowa/Waterloo boss. Apparently there was a mixup in adding postseason wins to Carlson’s ledger, meaning the record won’t be broken until sometime next season.

Anticipating the record was about to get turn asunder, The Gazette spent some time contacting RoughRiders alumni and others about their thoughts on Carlson and what he meant to their careers.

Not wishing to wait until next season, we’ve decided to run some of those comments as part of this week’s Corridor Cross Checks. So many of these players continue to communicate with their old coach today, even though they might be playing professionally and long removed from Cedar Rapids.

Marc McLaughlin (who plays for the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League and who has played NHL games with the Bruins. Played in Cedar Rapids from 2016 to 2018):

“I have nothing but great things to say about Coach Carlson. He taught me how to play the game the right way and had a huge impact on my development as a player. Throughout my college and current pro hockey career, it’s been awesome to play with so many former Cedar Rapids players. It’s a testament to how great of a coach he is. We all left Cedar Rapids ready for our next step in hockey because of Coach.”

Jason Polin (in Cedar Rapids from 2016 to 2019. Plays for Colorado Eagles of AHL and made his NHL debut this season for the Colorado Avalanche.):

“Coach Carlson’s dedication to the game and helping players grow on and off the ice is unmatched. Carly is a pretty straight-forward coach. He knows your capabilities and expects you to perform at your highest level every day. He was an honest coach and let you know where you stood and where you need to improve.

“I’ll always appreciate the lessons and memories I gained while playing for him during my three years.”

Adam Flammang (sophomore at Bemidji State who played for the RoughRiders in the 2021-22 season):

“Coach Carlson meant a lot to me. He believed in me when not many did. I was at an age out coming off shoulder surgery when I got to Cedar Rapids. Didn’t have much of a chance to make the team but ended up making it and was lucky enough to wear the ‘C’ for the Riders. That was one of the best years of my life. Coach Carlson is the man. Without him I wouldn’t be where I’m at today.”

Max Sasson (played in Cedar Rapids from 2018 to 2020. Playing for Abbotsford in the American Hockey League.)

“Carly, the track record you have of producing leaders on and off the ice is second to none. I have no doubt I wouldn’t be where I am without you. You helped me build habits that I still think about today, installed a work ethic and a drive to be greater ... and of course how to act and operate away from the rink and be a leader in the community. You are an inspiration and I am so lucky to have been coached by you.”

Alex Stalock (MVP of Clark Cup finals in 2005. Has been a goaltender in pro hockey since 2009 and has played 179 NHL games.):

“I couldn’t tell you much about Cedar Rapids, Iowa, or RoughRider hockey at the time. That changed drastically the first time I met you. I learned from you in a short time that we were here not only to become better hockey players, a better hockey team, but more importantly grow as young men away from home for the first time.

“I learned quickly that becoming close knit, on and off the ice, the feelings of being away from home for the first time slowly go away. From the record-setting road wins, to an Anderson Cup title, the incredible playoff run, to ultimately hoisting the Clark Cup at The Stable in front of our fans, I learned so much from that team that I carried throughout the rest of my career.

“I am, and will always be proud to tell the endless stories of the two years I spent in Cedar Rapids.”

Scott Perunovich (Defenseman for NHL’s St. Louis Blues who played in Cedar Rapids the 2016-17 season):

“Carly was my coach in a very pivotal time in my life. I learned a lot from him. He’s the heart and soul of the RoughRiders, and there’s no one more deserving of that record than him. We still stay in contact sometimes, and I’m proud to be a RoughRider. I know how he proud he is to be a RoughRider, too.”

University of Wisconsin head coach Mike Hastings (who has the third-most wins in USHL history, all with the Omaha Lancers):

“For him to continually impact young people’s lives the way that he has both on the rink and off the rink, I just know what a caring human being he is. He doesn’t stop helping those young people develop when practice is done. It’s the whole package with him. He’s somebody I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for and happy for him having the success that he’s had over a long, long time.”

Ross Colton (2014 through 2016 with RoughRiders. Winger with NHL’s Colorado Avalanche who has won a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning.):

“He’s the best coach I ever played for. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for him and my time in Cedar Rapids. He gets the most out of his players and more importantly teaches them how to become great young men. Cheers to many more wins and Diet Cokes!”

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Aidan McDonough (2018-19 season was his lone one with Riders. Signed last year with Vancouver Canucks after college career at Northeastern, scoring his first NHL goal. Plays for AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks.):

“I am forever grateful to have been able to play under you, and I can confidently say I would not be where I am today without you. The lessons I learned on and off the ice during my time in Cedar Rapids are lessons I still hold close and carry with me today. The amount of great hockey players that have come out of Cedar Rapids is impressive, but more importantly, the amount of good people is truly incredible. I am lucky to have played for a leader like Coach Carlson!”

Mitch Reinke (Defenseman who played in Cedar Rapids in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. Has played pro hockey since 2017, getting into one regular-season game for the NHL’s St. Louis Blues and one postseason game for the Blues. Now with Coachella Valley of the AHL.):

“I am not surprised at all that he is about to break the record. He has had plenty of opportunities to go on to higher levels of coaching, but he loves to develop players at that age. It’s gonna be hard to fit his impact on me into a such a short paragraph of text.

“He is such a detail-oriented coach that preaches detail, compete, being a good teammate, leadership, and doing the right the things that will lead to success. If you think about the age of players in the USHL (16-20), he not only develops players careers but molds players with the right tools as a person to succeed in life.

“He is hard on his players, but there is a mutual respect formed that is the reason why he is still one of my favorite coaches to this day. I credit so much of my success to his coaching and the mental toughness he created for me as a player.

“I loved my time in Cedar Rapids. I still keep in contact with my former bosses, billets, Ipper (former trainer Chris Ipson), teammates, and of course Coach Carlson. Andrew Poturalski and I have told several stories to each other this year about our times in Cedar Rapids and send Carly messages as well. Congrats to Coach Carlson! It is well deserved!”

Eric Pohlkamp (D-man played for Riders from 2021 to 2023. Freshman at Bemidji State, played on a gold-medal-winning United States team that won the World Junior Championships over the winter.):

“Mark Carlson was the best coach I will have in my hockey career. He has taught me so many lessons, I’ve had so many conversations with him. I couldn’t even tell you how many we’ve had. He would always push you to be at your maximum level every single day. A lot of people give him a hard time, but they can’t handle him and his vision for you as a hockey player. I would’ve never been drafted or played in the world juniors, none of that, if it wasn’t for him at the time. I hated him some days, but now I look back at it and it was the best thing for my hockey career.”

Matt Donovan (Defenseman for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 RoughRiders teams. Has played professionally in North American and in Europe. Has played 69 regular-season games and a pair of playoff games in the NHL for the New York Islanders and Nashville Predators. Currently plays for Chicago Wolves of AHL.):

“Coach Carlson and the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders were a huge part of my career. Coach Carlson knew how to push me to get the best out of me every day to make me a better hockey player and a better person.

“If it weren’t for Coach Carlson and the RoughRiders organization, I wouldn’t have made it to the NHL and still be playing professional hockey today. I know Coach Carlson has helped me and many other young men with their hockey careers and lives, and I know he will continue to be a great influence to many more!”

Andew Poturalski (Played for Riders three seasons and is now with Coachella Valley of the AHL. Has played six NHL games, including two this season for the Seattle Kraken.):

“We (he and Reinke) reminisce all the time about Carly and how he’s just kind of a legend. The way he approaches the game is so intense. He demands the utmost out of every guy, but at the end of the day, if you can get through playing for Carly ... he makes you a man and you are so much better off once you learn and play for him.

“We both said once we went to college, we were so much farther ahead from the other freshmen. That’s so huge for everybody, it’s such a competitive sport. When you can get an advantage from other freshmen, at least get more playing time, more opportunity for you, it can make the difference of making it or not.

“Carly is just so intense with everything he does. He’s just a true professional. At the time when I was there, Mitch and I both said it, it’s really hard, there are frustrating times. It definitely turns you from a kid into a man. But at the end of the day, once you realize and you look back at your time there, you appreciate so much what he did for you and everything that goes into it.”

This week’s action

The RoughRiders play Saturday night at Waterloo and host Madison at 4:05 p.m. Sunday.

They have lost six in a row, greatly diminishing their playoff hopes. Cedar Rapids is 23-28-5-2 for 53 standings points.

Chicago has 59 standings points to place it in sixth place and in possession of the final available playoff spot in the USHL’s Eastern Conference. Both teams have four regular-season games remaining.

The Iowa Heartlanders have lost three straight and have been eliminated from playoff contention in the ECHL Central Division. They are 26-32-6-2 for 60 points, seventh and last in the division.

Iowa’s final six games of the season are at home at Xtream Arena. That includes three this week against the Toledo Walleye: Wednesday night at 6:35, Friday night at 6:35 and Saturday night at 6:05.

Comments: (319)-398-8258, jeff.johnson@thegazette.com