RoughRiders’ Zmolek a chip off the old ice

CEDAR RAPIDS - It's got to be comforting to have a father who played a long time in the National Hockey League to fall back on for guidance and assistance.

But Riese Zmolek doesn't feel the need to use that family connection a lot. He's his own player going through his own hockey experiences.

'I don't really call my dad too often,” the first-year Cedar Rapids RoughRiders defenseman said. 'If I'm having a rough patch or something, I'll call and see if he's got any advice about something he might have gone through. See if he can help me out that way. He helps me quite a bit when I ask him. Otherwise he just lets me play.”

Doug Zmolek played eight seasons and 467 games as a defenseman in the NHL for the San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks. He was a first-round draft pick (seventh overall) of the old Minnesota North Stars in 1989.

Riese, 19, wasn't around for most of his dad's career but does recall the tale end of it.

'Some of the Chicago games,” he said. 'I was probably about 3. I don't really remember any of the games, really, just some of the rooms that I'd be in. There was a pretty cool little shop that they had (in Chicago). I'd get little hockey guys to play with in there.”

Like his father, Riese was a standout prep player in Rochester, Minn., one who the RoughRiders selected in the second round of this past summer's United States Hockey League Draft, Phase II. Doug Zmolek played at the University of Minnesota, while Riese has committed to Minnesota State in Mankato.

Son says he's got a similar game as father, a rugged rearguard who wants to make the simple play. Zmolek has three goals and three assists in 26 games for the Riders, who host Sioux City on Thursday night at 7:05 and Team USA on Saturday night.

In between is a game Friday night at Dubuque.

'He never forced anything on me. Playing hockey just came natural,” Riese said. 'Maybe growing up around it might have influenced my decision to play. But it's something I love.”

'Riese has done really well so far,” said RoughRiders Coach Mark Carlson. 'He's a good, solid two-way defenseman. He defends real well, he's strong, reliable, responsible. Has the ability to move the puck. He's been able to score some goals for us. He's a kid with good upside.”

Carlson was asked if there's anything similar about the kids he has coached whose fathers played at the highest level of the sport.

'The sons we've had of NHL players, I think most of the guys you can see it (more) off the ice,” he said. 'The way they handle themselves, being good teammates and good people, being respectful. Which, in the end, those things are the most important.”

Doug Zmolek, by the way, runs Rochester's youth hockey association and has his own summer camp.

'The speed of the game is a lot different here,” Riese said. 'You've got to get used to the speed first. Once you make an adjustment to that, which took about eight to 10 games for me, your mind and stuff just gets used to it and (your instincts) kind of take over. It's easier once you get used to the speed.”

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