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USHL approves Ownership For Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

May 28, 2009 - United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release


Grand Forks, North Dakota - The United States Hockey League (USHL) announced today that it has approved the transfer of ownership of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders organization from Mercantile Capital Partners I, LP to Newco Riders, LLC.

Newco Riders, LLC, in conjunction with the City of Cedar Rapids, further announced the USHL club has signed a letter of intent to extend its current lease at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena for a period of 10 years. The current lease is set to expire at the conclusion of the 2009-10 hockey season.

"The new RoughRiders ownership group has made a long-term commitment to the City of Cedar Rapids - and the City in turn has made a long-term commitment to the team," said USHL Commissioner Skip Prince. "Together, they insure not only investment and stability, but the exciting growth of hockey at all levels in a market that has supported the USHL from the beginning. It's great news for all of us."

Newco Riders, LLC has named Jeff Jauch as the newly appointed President and CEO of the group. Jauch and Head Coach and General Manager Mark Carlson have been appointed as the company's managing partners.

In fact, one of Jauch's first acts on behalf of the RoughRiders was to award Carlson a new 10-year contract that includes an ownership stake in the club. Carlson has been the Riders' head coach and general manager since the team's inception in 1999, guiding the club to the Clark Cup playoffs in nine straight seasons, and a championship in 2005. He was recently named the United States Olympic Committee Coach of the Year for the 2008-09 season.

Jauch, who attended the University of North Dakota and was inducted into the UND Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 1970 Fighting Sioux football team, also has strong ties to the Cedar Rapids area; his father, Ray Jauch, was an assistant football coach and student-athlete at nearby University of Iowa. He has spent more than 20 years developing business throughout the USA, Europe, and China. Jauch has also directed multiple community organizations supporting athletic programs for the betterment of youth.

"It's a strong and able operating enterprise, taking over from an ownership group that helped solidify USHL hockey in Cedar Rapids," noted Prince. "As we look forward to years of great USHL hockey in Cedar Rapids, we would be remiss if we didn't take the moment to thank Steve Edelson and Mercantile Capital Partners for their tireless efforts on behalf of the club over the past six years."

Newco Riders, LLC was formed for the purpose of acquiring the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the USHL and to promote youth hockey, related ice sports, and youth activities in partnership with the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and surrounding communities. The company has established an advisory board which includes Tony Sdao, founding partner of Newco Riders, LLC, Financial Transaction Services, LLC and Marketstreet Logix, LLC; Mark Chipman, Chairman and Governor of the Manitoba Moose (AHL); Rory Cava, President of the Lakehead University Thunderwolves of the Canadian Intercollegiate Sports Association; Doug Smail, former NHL All-Star and veteran of 13 NHL seasons; and Doug Ploen, President of D/P Film and Video.

The USHL celebrated its 30th season of junior hockey in 2008-09. With over 175 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools and 16 NHL Draft picks that played in the league this season, the USHL is the nation's foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.ushl.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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