September 14, 2006- The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders will open their 2006 training camp this weekend with double sessions Saturday and Sunday at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. The Riders will practice from 8:00 to 10:00AM and from 4:00 to 6:00PM on Saturday and from 9:00 to 11:00AM and 4:00 to 6:00PM on Sunday.

“Our guys have worked hard during the offseason , so we’re certainly excited to be getting on the ice as a team for the first time this season,” said RoughRiders coach and general manager Mark Carlson.

This weekend’s sessions will be open to the public. The camp will continue with single practices at 2:30PM beginning next Monday.

This year the Riders’ training camp starts approximately two weeks later than it has opened in recent years. Before this year, camp had usually opened at the beginning of September but starts later this year because the 2006-07 regular season will also commence later than in years prior.

The Riders will open their five-game preseason schedule on Friday, September 22 when they visit 95 KGGO Arena in Urbandale for a 7:05PM tilt against the defending Clark Cup champion Des Moines Buccaneers. The match-up will mark the first meeting between the Riders and Bucs since Des Moines eliminated Cedar Rapids in last spring’s East Division finals.

One night later, on Saturday, September 23, the Riders and Bucs will complete a home-and-home series with a 7:05PM contest at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. Tickets for that clash- the Riders’ only home preseason game- will be available to the general public for just $5 and will go on sale the day of the game. Admission is included in season ticket holders’ packages.

The Riders will return to Urbandale for the annual Buc Bowl preseason tournament. The Riders will open the Buc Bowl on Thursday, September 28 against the Omaha Lancers at 10:30AM. The Riders will meet the Tri-City Storm at noon the following day before closing out the Buc Bowl- and their preseason slate- with a game against the Sioux City Musketeers on Saturday, September 30 at 4:30PM.

The two-time defending East Division champion RoughRiders will open the regular season 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). Season ticket holders receive a host of special benefits available exclusively to them.

Regular season single game tickets will go on sale September 25.

Cedar Rapids RoughRiders 2006 Preseason Schedule

Friday, September 22 @ Des Moines, 7:05PM
Saturday, September 23 vs Des Moines, 7:05PM

Buc Bowl (Urbandale)
Thursday, September 28 vs Omaha, 10:30AM (95 KGGO Arena)
Friday, September 29 vs Tri-City, 12:00PM (Metro Ice Sports Facility)
Saturday, September 30 vs Sioux City, 4:30PM (95 KGGO Arena)