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FORMER ROADRUNNER NAMED TO USA INLINE SQUAD
USA Hockey Inline will go for the Gold in Slovakia this week.
USA Hockey on Wednesday named 16 players to the U.S. InLine National Team that will compete at the 2008 International Ice Hockey Federation InLine Hockey World Championship in Bratislava, Slovakia, June 21-28. Among them is former RoadRunner defenseman Rafael Rodriguez (Oceanside, CA).
For parts of three seasons, "Raffy" patrolled the blue line in Santa Fe. He played in 103 regular season games, netting 66 points and 120 PIM's. He also had 7 points in 9 playoff games. A gifted playmaker, Rodriguez often displayed creativity and savvy that is normally reserved for seasoned veterans, and unexpected from a California kid playing juniors. "Raffy had the ability to do things that you can't teach", said head coach Scott Langer. "When we was up top on the power play, it was his show. He was shifty and elusive and he had phenomenal hands and feet". The USA Hockey Inline program recognized these traits, and rewarded Rodriguez with a spot on the team.
For Rodriguez, who played his last season with the RoadRunners in 2006-07, his post-junior career took him where the majority of junior hockey players are aiming, to Division I hockey. In Raffy's case, it was Robert Morris University, where he redshirted as a freshman in 2007-08. Colonial's head coach Derek Schooley said, “Robert Morris University is very proud of Rafael. I am sure he will represent U.S. InLine National Team well and this will be an experience he will cherish for a lifetime.”
Rodriguez lists as the highlight of his career the game winning goal he scored in overtime on March 17, 2007 in Santa Fe, as the RoadRunners knocked off the Wichita Falls Wildcats. The win completed a 3-game sweep for the 'Runners, who came from behind twice in that game to force overtime with the game tying goal scored in the final minute with Santa Fe's net empty. It was the final regular season game the RoadRunners would play in Santa Fe, relocating to Topeka a month later.
Click here to listen to the call of Rodriguez' OT game winner.
The 2008 IIHF Inline Tournament begins June 21 in Bratislava, Slovakia. For more information, please visit this website:
http://www.usahockey.com/Template_USAHockeyInLine.aspx
The RoadRunners wish Rafael and his teammates the best of luck!!
