Riders have USHL's youngest-ever player

Anthony DeAngelo has a chaffeur that takes him around town and to Cedar Rapids RoughRiders practices and games every day. That's how good of a player he is.

No, no, no, no. Just joking, people. Just joking.

The reason DeAngelo is driven wherever he needs to go is that he isn't old enough to get his driver's license, yet. He won't be for another year.

"(Teammate) Tanner Pond drives me every day," DeAngelo said. "He drives me around everywhere."

Ah, the perils of the youngest player in the history of the United States Hockey League. A defenseman from Sewell, N.J., near Philadelphia, DeAngelo just turned 15 earlier this week.

He played his first three games for the Riders - who host Dubuque on Friday night at 7 - as a 14-year-old freshman at Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School. By contrast, RoughRiders goaltender Brady Hjelle already has two seasons of college hockey under his belt.

Unbelievable.

"I wouldn't think (a team) would take someone this young," said RoughRiders teammate Ryan McGrath. "But I also think this is where he belongs and will develop fast and become a fantastic hockey player in the future."

"I thought he did a pretty good job," RoughRiders Coach Mark Carlson said of DeAngelo's first game action. "I think he's really mature for his age, and he's got real nice ability."

That latter thing is obvious considering DeAngelo is even in the USHL right now. His birthdate just got him in under the league's minimum-age requirement.

The maximum age for USHL players is 20, though you can turn 21 during the season.

"It's just been pretty fun," DeAngelo said. "It's pretty fun hanging out with all the guys. It seems like it's getting easier and easier as the games go on. Off the ice, I get along with everyone, so that part is easy. On the ice, I guess I'd say it's the speed that's the biggest adjustment. The speed of the game.

"School's not bad at all, either, so that's good. That's been (an) easy (transition)."

Needless to say, this kid's potential is off the charts. The 5-foot-10, 150-pounder scored a goal in his first USHL game two weeks ago by jumping into the play and blasting home a one-timer from the slot.

He already has committed to play college hockey at Boston University, where he'll eventually join RoughRiders teammate Cason Hohmann. 

"BU was the school I kind of always wanted to go to," DeAngelo said. "I went and watched a game there and loved it. So I just said 'Why not (commit)?'"

"He skates well, he sees the ice, and he's got really good hockey sense," Carlson said. "When you have those attributes, it certainly enhances your chances for success."

DeAngelo played Midget hockey in New York last year and was taken by Cedar Rapids in the 15th round of the 2010 USHL Entry Draft. He had to earn his way on the roster with a strong tryout camp and preseason play.

He said he has always been aware of his youngest-player-ever status.

"My old coach was a scout for our team, and he said there'd be a shot at this," DeAngelo said. "I didn't think I could. I was just going to play U-18 this year. Then Coach (Carlson) came and watched me play, which made me think I really did have a shot at making it. I came to tryouts and made it.

"We'll see how everything goes. I hope to be here at least a couple of years. I like Coach, I like the team a lot. So at least a couple."