Former RoughRider drafted by Montreal

Josiah Didier doesn't speak French, though he hopes in a few years he'll have to learn it.

The former Cedar Rapids RoughRiders defenseman was taken by the Montreal Canadiens in the fourth round of the National Hockey League's Entry Level Draft Saturday. Didier was the 97th overall pick.

"Feeling good about it," he said from his family's home in Littleton, Colo. "A great day."

Didier, 18, had eight goals and 21 points in 58 games this past season for the Riders. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder was slated to return to Cedar Rapids but instead will play for the University of Denver a year earlier than originally planned.

Denver needs him because former RoughRider defenseman Matt Donovan signed an NHL contract this past spring with the New York Islanders.

"I'm just glad all my hard work has paid off," said Didier, whose stock rose dramatically during the season. "Now I've got to work even harder to make my dream come true of playing in the NHL."

"He is an exceptional young man who excelled both on and off the ice during his time in Cedar Rapids.” Riders Coach/General Manager Mark Carlson said.

Didier was the lone player with RoughRiders ties to be drafted. Four players with United States Hockey League roots were taken in the first round.

Here is a link to the entire draft:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftsearch.htm?year=2011&round=All&supl=N