Fronk looks to join exclusive goal-scoring club

CEDAR RAPIDS – He has five games left to join a club that's really exclusive.

Winger Jiri Fronk of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders has netted 28 goals this season, which ranks him seventh in the United States Hockey League. He's four behind leader Chris Wilkie of Tri-City.

Even if the 21-year-old resident of the Czech Republic doesn't catch Wilkie, scoring twice will allow him to become just the fourth RoughRider to hit the 30-goal plateau.

Pittsburgh Penguins minor-leaguer Jayson Megna scored 30 in the 2010-11 season and Des Moines native Chad Costello potted 31 in 2005-06. The franchise leader is Jacob Cepis, who scored 34 times in 2006-07.

'It's harder to score here in this league than in any other junior league in the world,” said RoughRiders Coach Mark Carlson. 'It's because of the depth of the entire league. There are teams, in any particular year, that might not like what their wins and losses are, but they are good hockey teams.

'There are no bad teams in our league, and that's what makes our league. The depth is tremendous throughout: your defensemen, your goaltenders, your forwards. That's why it's hard to get points.”

Carlson was tipped off about Fronk's availability last summer. He was supposed to play major junior in Canada last season, but his club team in the Czech Republic would not release his rights.

He came to North America without an ability to speak English, but has gotten infinitely better with that, thanks to his teammates, coaches and billet family.

'He speaks well enough now to fine people in Kangaroo Court,” Carlson said, with a laugh. 'So that's a good thing.”

Fronk was on NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings list of 2015 draft-eligible players and will likely be selected by someone over the summer. His desire to come to Cedar Rapids was about increasing his visibility to pro teams, learning English and adjusting to the North America culture and game.

In Europe, the rinks are wider and longer.

'I think it's been a good season,” Carlson said. 'It's not easy coming over from Europe, so I think he's had a really good year. He has continued to learn.”

Fronk really isn't the only RoughRider who could top hit the 30-goal mark. Winger Erik Foley has 25, including four in his last five games.

There is a lot on the line in the Riders' final five regular-season games. The club host Lincoln on Wednesday night at approximately 7:15.

Cedar Rapids has a 37-18-0 record, its 74 standings points good enough to already have clinched a playoff spot in the jam-packed Eastern Conference. The RoughRiders are five points back of first-place Youngstown, but only two ahead of third-place Muskegon and three up on fourth-place Dubuque.

The top two teams in the division will have home-ice advantage in the USHL playoffs, which begin April 14. All series are best-of-5.

l Comments: (319) 398-8259; jeff.johnson@thegazette.com