Wehrs to Gophers

[defencewinsgames]

2005 USHL Clark Cup Champions <br> Article Details <br><br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br> <br><br>RoughRiders' Wehrs Commits to Minnesota; Strathman Bound for Northeastern <br><br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br><br>November 9, 2005- Cedar Rapids RoughRiders defenseman Kevin Wehrs has committed to the University of Minnesota, while fellow Rider defenseman David Strathman will play his college hockey at Northeastern University, the Riders announced today.<br><br>Wehrs, 17, has scored one goal and totaled seven points in eleven games with the Riders this season. Strathman, 20, has scored twice and collected eight points in eleven games. <br><br>Both Wehrs and Strathman have played key roles as the Riders have held opponents to just 2.6 goals per game this season, fourth fewest in the United States Hockey League.<br><br>Wehrs played for Minnesota's Wayzata High School last season before joining the Riders in February at the conclusion of his high school campaign. The Plymouth, Minnesota, native played four regular season games for the Riders last year and suited up for two more playoff tilts.<br><br>"Kevin is a talented young defenseman with a bright future," said RoughRiders coach and general manager Mark Carlson. "The chance to go home to play for the Gophers is obviously a great opportunity for him."<br><br>In August, Wehrs played for the United States Under-18 Select Team at the Junior World Cup in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The Plymouth, Minnesota, native scored one goal and totaled three points as Team USA finished fifth with a 3-1-1 record.<br><br>Former Rider defensemen P.J. Atherton and Derek Peltier currently skate for Minnesota, which is in third place in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association with a 3-2-1 conference record and an overall mark of 3-3-1. The Golden Gophers, a perennial NCAA power, have won five national championships, including back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2003.<br><br>Strathman will begin his college career in the fall. He is bound for the same Northeastern program for which Carlson was an assistant coach for three years before taking over the Riders in 1999.<br><br>"David has certainly earned this opportunity. He has done a very good job of helping out offensively while still being very conscientious in his own zone," said Carlson.<br><br>Strathman stepped up to the USHL this season after excelling in the Eastern Junior (B) Hockey League last year. The Tempe, Arizona, product scored 18 goals and totaled 59 points in 51 games with the Valley Junior Warriors last season and was named to the All-EJHL Second Team for his efforts.<br><br>Northeastern is still in search of its first win this season. The Huskies are 0-6-1 overall and have gone 0-3-1 in Hockey East competition.<br><br>Wehrs and Strathman join Phil Axtell (Michigan Tech), Jacob Cepis (Bowling Green), Ray Kaunisto (Northern Michigan), Andy Miele (Miami of Ohio), Ted Purcell (Maine), Alex Stalock (Minnesota-Duluth) and Gary Steffes (Miami of Ohio) as the eighth and ninth members of the 2005-06 RoughRiders to make college commitments.<br><br> <br> <br> <p></p><i></i>

[Spudmania]

congratulations Kevin Wehrs <p></p><i></i>