September 5, 2006- Cedar Rapids RoughRiders equipment manager Steve Castelletti has left the team to take the same position with the University of Wisconsin hockey team, the RoughRiders announced today.

“My time with the RoughRiders was a great experience,” said Castelletti. “I’m very thankful to the organization and everyone involved with the RoughRiders for making my time with the team so rewarding.”

Castelletti had been the only equipment manager the RoughRiders had ever known. He joined the team upon its arrival in Cedar Rapids in 1999.

“Steve and I were together for seven years,” said RoughRiders Coach and General Manager Mark Carlson. “He was a great asset to our program. We will miss him and we wish him the best at Wisconsin.”

Castelletti also assisted the St. Louis Blues equipment staff during training camp and the Stanley Cup playoffs each of the last eight years. Before arriving in Cedar Rapids Castelletti spent seven years as the equipment manger of the Alaska Gold Kings of the West Coast Hockey League.

Castelletti also does not lack for international experience, having worked as assistant equipment manager for the U.S. Team at the 2003 World Junior Championship and as equipment manager at the 2004 and 2006 Viking Cup tournaments.

Beyond the rink, Castelletti spent 20 years as a United States Marshal. Prior to joining the marshals he was a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and served as a body guard for the royal family of Jordan.

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 Monday, September 25.