Tributes continue for record-breaking Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Coach Mark Carlson

CEDAR RAPIDS - The tributes keep pouring in.

Mark Carlson of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders set the United States Hockey League record for most regular-season victories last weekend when his club beat the Lincoln Stars, 3-2, Friday night at ImOn Ice Arena. It also was Carlson’s 1,500 career regular-season game coached.

Carlson added to his wins record the following night when Cedar Rapids beat Lincoln again, 5-3. A pregame ceremony included a video tribute to the coach, one in which RoughRiders alumni and former USHL coaching colleagues such as Jim Montgomery (head coach of the NHL’s St. Louis Blues) and Jon Cooper (head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning) gave their congratulations.

The Gazette rounded up a number of tributes from alumni and others to Carlson in the late winter/early spring of 2024 when it was believed the coach was on the verge of the wins record. The USHL later determined he actually was 30-some wins short of the mark P.K. O’Handley set.

Here’s an example from Colorado Avalanche forward and Stanley Cup champion Ross Colton:

“He’s the best coach I ever played for,” Colton said. “I know I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for him and my time in Cedar Rapids. He gets the most out of his players and more importantly teaches them how to become great young men. Cheers to many more wins and Diet Cokes!”

Others were eager to weigh in when asked recently about Carlson’s record. That included defenseman and captain Guerin Slezak, who is rehabbing a knee injury to come back and play later this season.

“I just think it’s such an incredible accomplishment. Very well deserved,” Slezak said. “He’s very demanding, but with that comes a lot of love. He always has your back, no matter the situation. He instills a lot of life lessons that I carry with me and these guys will carry with them for the rest of their lives. Details, work ethic, it’s just simple stuff. But the way he presents it to you, it really gets the message across. One of a kind. It’s awesome. I have been very fortunate to learn from him.”

Kevin Brooks played for one of Carlson’s first teams in Cedar Rapids and is now skills coach for the RoughRiders.

“He genuinely cares about every single player he has ever coached,” Brooks said. “The loyalty he has to his players is unrivaled. He recruited me 24 years ago, and I am still in Cedar Rapids largely in part to him. He gave me a job after my playing days, and I still get the privilege to work with him in a daily basis 24 years later. The passion he has for Cedar Rapids and the people here is admirable. He has truly been a mentor to myself and every player lucky enough to done the RoughRider jersey.”

Shane Connelly is an assistant coach for the USHL’s Madison Capitols. He previously was goalie coach for the RoughRiders before moving on to the University of Wisconsin.

“What I’d say about Mark is he is the best teacher (for a) coach or player,” Connelly said. “He is a great human being and great friend. He will find your limits. You will know what your limits are as player or coach, and that’s why he so successful. I wouldn’t trade any experience over working under Carly. He taught me so much, and I’m lucky to call him a good friend.”

Mark Mullen also was an assistant coach in Cedar Rapids before going on to a long-time scouting career. Mullen was part of the Los Angeles Kings organization when it won two Stanley Cups and is now an amateur scout for the Montreal Canadiens.

“This record shows what a great coach Mark is, but he is a better person,” Mullen said. “He will deflect all the credit towards the players and everyone he has worked with, but he has truly been a great mentor to not just his players but everyone who has had the privilege to work with him. He genuinely cares about all of them, the city of Cedar Rapids and the RoughRiders organization.”

"We are proud to celebrate Mark for his tremendous accomplishment," said USHL President/Commissioner Glenn Hefferan. "His unwavering commitment to the USHL, our players, and the RoughRiders' faithful is a core piece to his success, and his ability to advocate for long-term player development has helped our league become a steady pipeline for NCAA and NHL talent."

The RoughRiders take a 4-0-0-1 record and nine standings points into a weekend set of games at Youngstown. The Phantoms handed C.R. its only loss a couple of weeks ago at the USHL Fall Classic in suburban Pittsburgh in a shootout.

Cedar Rapids has gotten offensive contributions from many players, as 13 guys have scored at least one goal and 20 guys have at least one point. That includes goaltender Ryan Cameron, who has played in every game so far and accumulated a 2.16 goals against average and .908 saves percentage.

Comments: (319)-398-8258, jeff.johnson@thegazette.com