HOCKEY OPERATIONS
MARK CARLSON
President, General Manager & Head Coach
Mark Carlson has been the RoughRiders Head Coach and General Manager since the team began in 1999 and was named Team President in 2012. Under his leadership, the team secured victories including the Clark Cup in 2004-05 and three Anderson Cups.
On February 15th, 2025, Carlson set the USHL record for Most Regular-Season Games Coached, reaching game number 1,477. Most recently, on October 3rd, 2025, he became the All-Time Winningest Coach in USHL Regular Season History with 779 wins and counting. Carlson was also named the 2026 USHL Coach of the Year.
Carlson's impact extends beyond team success and his commitment to player growth is evident. He led Team USA to back-to-back gold medals and earned the United States Olympic Committee Development Coach of the Year in 2009.
With roots in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, Carlson's coaching journey began after being drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1987, reinforced by studies at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell and a Master's degree from Northeastern University. Currently, he resides in Ely, IA, with his wife Tammy, and they have two sons, Dustin and Brayton.
GARRETT WINDLE
Assistant Coach
A native of Downington, Pennslyvania, Windle spent two seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Bethel University. Before returning to Bethel, he served as Head Hockey Coach at Mounds View High School in Minnestota for three seasons, leading both the boys and girls programs. He also spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Roseville High School in Minnesota.
As a player, Windle skated for the Bethel University Royals from 2010 to 2014.
Garrett resides in Ridertown with his wife and three children.
MATT DENMAN
Assistant Coach & Director of Scouting
Matt Denman enters his third season with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders organization after rejoining the team as a scout for the 2024-25 season. He served as Assistant Director of Scouting during the 2025-26 season and now assumes the role of Assistant Coach and Director of Scouting.
A native of Prior Lake, Minnesota, Denman spent three season as an assistant coach with the Prior Lake Lakers after previously playing for the program from 2013-16. He joined the RoughRiders from the Minnesota Magicians partway through the 2017-18 season. Denman went on to play for the Minnesota Golden Gophers from 2018-2022.
DEREK BISHOP
Goaltending Coach
Bishop, a native of St. Paul, Minnesota, brings nearly two decades of goaltending expertise to the RoughRiders. With 18 years of goalie-specific training, coaching, and consulting experience at the youth, AAA, high school, junior, and collegiate levels, he is widely respected within the goaltending community.
Since 2007, Bishop has coached at Robb Stauber's Goalcrease and has additionally served as the goaltending coach for both the Chippewa Steel of the NAHL and the St. Olaf College men's hockey team.
ALEX LAVEN
Head Equipment Manager
Laven is beginning his first season with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders as the team's Equipment Manager.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Laven joins the RoughRiders after serving as Equipment Manager for the Aberdeen Wings of the NAHL for the past two seasons. Prior to his time in Aberdeen, he held the same role at his alma mater, where he gained valuable experience working with the Falcons' hockey program. Laven also served as the Equipment Manager for the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament in both 2025 and 2026.
Alex and his fiancée, Sara, reside in Ridertown.
DANIEL AMADIO
Athletic Trainer
Daniel begins his second season as the RoughRiders' Athletic Trainer, bringing expertise, energy, and a passion for keeping athletes performing at their best. With a strong background in sports medicine and injury prevention, he is committed to providing top-notch care both on and off the ice.
From assessing injuries to guiding recovery and building strategies for peak performance, Daniel's focus is on helping players stay healthy, strong, and game-ready all season long. His dedication to athlete well-being makes him a vital part of the RoughRiders' team behind the scenes.
Whether it's the heat of competition or the grind of training, Daniel is there to support the players every step of the way.
GARRETT ALLEN
Assistant General Manager
Garrett Allen joined the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders during the 2022-23 season as a New England Scout while coaching at Milton Academy. He was promoted to Director of Scouting for the 2023-24 season and was named Assistant General Manager ahead of the 2026-27 season.
In his expanded role, Allen helps oversee all aspects of player scouting, drafting, evaluation, and team building. His passion for identifying and developing talent plays an important role in the continued growth of the RoughRiders organization.
Allen played college hockey at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth from 2012-16 before playing professionally in Sweden for Ludvika HF during the 2016-17 season.
Following his playing career, Allen co-founded 101% Always, a leading on-ice training company in Massachusetts, alongside Scott Allen, current Assistant Coach of the Washington Capitals.
Allen strongly believes in the RoughRiders' culture, which emphasizes elite performance on the ice and exemplary character within the community.
JORDAN SEYFERT
Assistant Director of Scouting
Jordan Seyfert joins the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders for his first season as Assistant Director of Scouting. He has built a distinguished career as a player, coach, and skill developer in the world of hockey. Known for his leadership both on and off the ice, Seyfert has always been driven by a passion to elevate the game and help others reach their full potential.
Seyfert played junior hockey in the United States Hockey League (USHL), where he started his USHL career playing for the National Team Development Program, before joining the Chicago Steel & Fargo Force. His time in the USHL was marked by significant success, as he helped lead both teams to Clark Cup Championships, solidifying his reputation as a talented and driven player with a knack for big-game performances. Seyfert then took his skills to the collegiate level, playing Division 1 hockey at Merrimack College. His college years were highlighted by his strong two-way play and consistent contributions to his team's success as well as winning the Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award at the Hobey Baker Ceremony. At Merrimack, he helped the program advance to the NCAA regional tournament for the first time in school history since 2011.
Following his time at Merrimack, Seyfert signed his first professional contract to play in the ECHL for the Kalamazoo Wings. Two seasons ago (24-25), he served as the Assistant Coach for the Bishop Kearney Selects U18 team, now (25-26) serving as Head Coach (15O) and Assistant Director of Player Personnel for Bishop Kearney.
CHRIS LONKE
Director of Player Personnel
Chris Lonke enters his fifth season with the RoughRiders in 2026-27. He brings more than eight years of experience in junior hockey as an Assistant General Manager and over 20 years as a coach. Lonke spent eight season with the Minot Minotauros as Assistant General Manager and has coached within Minnesota hockey programs for two decades, leading three state tournaments qualifiers: the 2003 Simley Spartans, and the 2014 and 2015 New Prague Trogans.
In addition to his coaching and management experience, Lonke has served as Tournament Director of the CCM NIT in Plymouth, MN, since 2017. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Superior and earned his master's degree from the University of St. Thomas.
Lonke resides in Rosemount, MN, with his wife, Tonya, and their two children, daughter Taylor and son Jack.
