RoughRiders tender defenseman Daschke

CEDAR RAPIDS - Mark Carlson promised Friday he'd have news about another addition to his Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. He delivered in a big way - literally.

Six-foot-two defenseman Derek Daschke has signed a pre-draft United States Hockey League tender with the club, it was announced Saturday. The Troy, Mich., resident played this past season for the Oakland Grizzlies U16 team, accumulating eight goals and 30 points in 35 games.

'We welcome Derek to the organization, and we are thrilled that he's a RoughRider,” said Carlson, the Riders Coach/General Manager. 'Derek is a versatile defenseman that will excel at both ends of the ice. He's a quality person that wants to be great.”

Daschke recently attended the United States National Team Development Program's tryout camp, which shows you how well regarded he is. The 16-year-old's addition counts as a pick in phase one of the upcoming USHL draft of 1998 birthdates.

The RoughRiders tendered forward Hugh McGing on Friday. Both players must remain on the team's active roster next season and play in at least half of the games, or else Cedar Rapids loses their rights.

The USHL draft is May 5 and 6.

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