RoughRiders' All-Decade Team to be revealed

CEDAR RAPIDS - Somehow the first to graduate to the NHL didn't make it.

But that was the fans' call. They voted for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders' All-Decade Team.

That Dave Moss of the Calgary Flames isn't included on the seven-member squad is an indication of the talent that has come through town in 11 seasons. Coach Mark Carlson has had 10 consecutive United States Hockey League playoff teams, including a Clark Cup winner in 2004-05.

Six former RoughRiders have made it to the National Hockey League and another played in the Vancouver Olympics. Still another, Alex Stalock of the Worcester Sharks, leads the American Hockey League (hockey's top minor league) in goaltending victories.

Fans chose three defensemen, a left wing, right wing, center and goalie for the All-Decade Team. The Gazette is sponsoring it, and we'll divulge a player each day over the next week.

“This is something we had talked about doing with the new ownership group,” said RoughRiders corporate sponsorship director Mark Meyer. “We wanted to recognize and pay tribute to some of the former RoughRiders.”

The franchise wanted to get every member of the All-Decade Team together but that's impossible right now. The RoughRiders have plans for a charity golf tournament this summer and several, if not all, will attend.“Hopefully, we can do this again in another decade,” Meyer said.