October 25, 2004- Cedar Rapids RoughRiders forward Gary Steffes has committed to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, the RoughRiders announced today.
“We’re very happy for Gary. He will have the chance to be a part of a very good program at Miami,” said RoughRiders coach and general manager Mark Carlson. “He’s a talented, hard working young player we were glad to acquire earlier this season and we look forward to seeing him do a lot more good things for us on the ice.”
Steffes, 17, has picked up one assist in six games since being added to the RoughRiders’ roster from the team’s affiliated players list on September 27. The 6’ 1”, 185-pound Grand Blanc, Michigan, native has also provided a solid physical presence since entering the Cedar Rapids lineup.
The RoughRiders selected Steffes in the fourth round of August’s USHL futures draft with the forty-first overall choice. Steffes played for the Stratford Cullitons of the Ontario Hockey Association’s Midwestern Junior B League last season. He rang up five goals and 18 points in 28 games as the Cullitons rolled to a 42-4-1 record and claimed the Ontario Junior B title, the Sunderland Cup.
In addition, Steffes was part of the United States Select Team that finished fourth in the Under-18 Junior World Cup in Slovakia and the Czech Republic in August. Steffes scored a pair of goals as the U.S. posted a 2-3 record in competition against Canada, Finland, Russia, Sweden and the co-host Czechs.
Steffes is one of two RoughRiders bound for Miami. Riders defenseman Ray Eichenlaub will begin his college career at M.U. next season.
Miami is currently ranked tenth in the nation with a 4-2 record. Coach Enrico Blasi’s Red Hawks are tied for second place in the powerhouse Central Collegiate Hockey Association with a 2-2 conference record. Last season Miami went 23-14-4 and advanced to the NCAA tournament for the first time in six years.
Steffes joins Justin Abdelkader (Michigan State), Phil Axtell (Michigan Tech), Greg Collins (New Hampshire), Ray Eichenlaub (Miami of Ohio), and Matt Vokes (Brown) as the sixth member of the 2004-05 RoughRiders to make a college commitment.
Steffes and the RoughRiders return to action Saturday night at 7:05 when the Indiana Ice visits the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. The RoughRiders have gone 6-1-1 so far this season and are in first place in the United States Hockey League’s East Division with 13 points, two points ahead of Indiana. The Riders also boast the USHL’s best winning percentage (.813).
Tickets for all remaining RoughRiders first half home games- including this Saturday’s contest- are now on sale at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena ticket office. Tickets can be purchased over the phone at (319) 261-4625 or in person at the ice arena. The ticket office is open from noon to 5:00PM on weekdays and from noon through the end of the second period on game days. Ticket prices range from $8.00 to $17.00 including a 50-cent facility fee.