August 17, 2006- Former Cedar Rapids RoughRider forwards Danny O’Brien, Nate Meyers and Todd Bentley will embark on their rookie seasons in professional hockey this fall.

Former Rider captain O’Brien has signed with the ECHL’s Fresno Falcons for 2006-07. O’Brien, 24, actually turned pro late last season, joining the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays for nine games after completing his college career at Massachusetts-Lowell in March. O’Brien scored two goals and totaled six points for the Stingrays after leading the team in goals (14) and finishing tied for second in points (27) in 36 games at Lowell. O’Brien, who captained Lowell during both his junior and senior seasons, scored 40 goals and recorded 93 points in 145 career collegiate games. The South Boston, Massachusetts, native played for the Riders in 2000-01 and 2001-02 and ranks ninth in team history in career goals (28) and points (70).

Meyers will turn professional with the Pensacola Ice Pilots of the ECHL this season after completing a four year career at Providence College. Meyers scored six times and recorded 15 points in 30 games with the Friars last season. Meyers, who turns 24 today, produced 15 goals and 37 points in 92 career games at Providence. In 2001-02, the Maple Glen, Pennsylvania, native scored 27 goals for the RoughRiders, setting a team record that stood until last year. Meyers also totaled 52 points in 58 games in what was his only season in Cedar Rapids.

Bentley will move across town from the University of Alabama-Huntsville to the Southern Professional Hockey League’s Huntsville Havoc to begin his professional career this season. Bentley, 24, scored eight goals and notched 14 points in 25 games with UAH last season. The Livonia, Michigan, native scored 19 goals and registered 46 points in 90 games over four seasons with the Chargers. Bentley, who was a RoughRider teammate of both O’Brien and Meyers in 2001-02, scored 15 goals and collected 31 points in 52 games during his lone USHL campaign.

The two-time defending East Division champion RoughRiders will open their eighth season in Cedar Rapids on Saturday, October 7 at home against the Green Bay Gamblers. 2006-07 season tickets are currently available through the RoughRiders’ business office (247-0340). In addition to the same great seats for every exciting RoughRider home game, season ticket holders also receive a host of special benefits available exclusively to them.

Regular season single game tickets will go on sale on a date to be determined in September.