USHL Announces RoughRiders & Capitols Will *NOT* Play This Season
To say this year has been full of disappointments is an understatement. In breaking news today, the coronavirus and the derecho storm that swept through the state of Iowa on August 10th are teaming up, so to speak, to cancel two hockey team's seasons.
The United States Hockey League has announced, due to the substantial damage incurred from the storm at the ImOn Ice Arena, the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders will suspend play for the USHL 2020-21 season, but will return for USHL 2021-22 season. As far as Madison goes, the Capitols Owner Ryan Suter stated in a USHL press release: “due to Dane County’s restrictions, we are unable to play games and host fans in our venue. We are preparing our return in the 2021-22 season.”
Waterloo Black Hawks fans will be devastated not to be able to enjoy games this year against their long-time archrivals, but they can always look forward to next year. RoughRiders President, General Manager and Head Coach Mark Carlson, said in the press release, “Our community will rebuild and recover from the storm. We have already begun planning our return for the USHL 2021-22 hockey season.”
A dispersal draft will be held for the players currently on both team’s rosters. The USHL is preparing a 14-team regular season schedule to be released soon. The regular season is scheduled to begin on Friday, November 6, with the possibility of some pre-season games starting in mid-October.