Cedar Rapids Jr. Roughriders Compete in Wisconsin Hockey Tournaments

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CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (01/04/2012)(readMedia)-- The Cedar Rapids Jr. Roughriders Squirt teams have a lot to celebrate. And they're hungry for more hockey.

Fresh from a four-game sweep of the 16-team Midwest Freeze tournament in Wausau, Wisconsin held December 29-31, the 11-player Squirt A team is celebrating its 19th win of the 2011-12 season. The exciting win comes on the heels of earning First Place in the New Richmond, Wisconsin tournament over teams including Bloomington, Rice Lake, and Chippewa Falls the weekend of December 17.

Early December also marked the Squirt B team besting the home team, West Salem, in a comeback game held in West Salem to win First Place. The final score was 5 to 4. The Squirt C team boasts wins over Ames and Dubuque.

These wins and championships have the local teams riding high in the weeks leading up to the Jr. Roughrider Classic scheduled for January 20-22 at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena, home to the USHL Cedar Rapids Roughriders team currently seated 5th in the Eastern Conference.

While specific game times are still unpublished, fans of competitive youth hockey can expect to see teams from Des Moines, Waterloo, Iowa City, Mason City, Elmbrook, Wisconsin, St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri compete in games held on two sheets of ice over the three-day period.

"Tournaments are a great way to showcase Cedar Rapids teams to members of our own community," said CRHA Growth and Retention Coordinator Jeff Winders. "Because of team travel schedules and the distances some of our teams play – deep into Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri and Nebraska – some family and friends invariably miss out on seeing competitive youth hockey. A local tournament not only affords the opportunity for an impressive display of support from loved ones living close, but it also provides an opportunity for parents and families of non-players to get familiar with the travel hockey concept. With training and hard work, house league players can advance to a more competitive level of play."

Indeed, this season marks the largest number of travel players for the CRHA program. In November during a "Try Hockey For Free" event sponsored by USA Hockey, an estimated 90 boys and girls took the ice for the first time. A large portion of participants then enrolled in Learn To Skate and Introduction To Hockey programs. Another "try for free" day is slated for February 25, 2012; the CRHA and Cedar Rapids Ice Arena will again participate.

Concessions will be available during the Jr. Roughrider Classic for fans and hungry players, organized by parents of the three Squirt teams hosting the event. Items expected to be available include walking tacos, hot dogs, chili, drinks, and a variety of baked goods.

A raffle will feature themed baskets and a variety of merchandise available for silent auction. People attending the games are encouraged to pick up food items and purchase raffle tickets as a way to help support the CRHA youth hockey programs. Raffle tickets will cost $1 each.

Companies wishing to donate food items for use in the concession stand are invited to contact organizer Jaci Chambers at 319-350-9265. Those interested in donating raffle items such as gift certificates, electronics, games, or other popular products may contact organizer Donna Chaffe at 319-369-2632. In both instances, donations are greatly appreciated. Documentation of donations for tax itemization purposes is available.

Attendance to the games is free of charge. Trophies will be awarded to teams earning 1st through 3rd place.

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The Cedar Rapids Hockey Association (CRHA) is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to developing youth hockey programs in the Cedar Rapids area. Formed in 2002, the CRHA administers competitive travel hockey programs at the Mite, Squirt, Pee Wee, and Bantam levels for boys and girls ranging from age 6 to 17. As part of the Midwest League, the CRHA Junior Roughriders compete against teams in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and surrounding states. Contact CRHA board President Jill Johnson with questions.

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