Abdelkader family cherishes celebratory night in No. 8’s honor

 

By @MichaelCaples –

Justin Abdelkader has only played for one hockey team outside the State of Michigan.

He was a fan favorite there too, of course.

For the 2004-05 season, Abdelkader made the jump from high school hockey at Mona Shares to the United States Hockey League, where he suited up for the Cedar Rapids (Iowa) RoughRiders.

“We were pretty excited for him because this was one of his goals,” said Abdelkader’s mother, Sheryl, during the ‘Justin Abdelkader Night’ festivities in Cedar Rapids. “He wanted to play in the USHL, so we were excited for him, and he was looking forward to coming here.”

The USHL club honored Abdelkader on Dec. 12, as the RoughRiders made him the first inductee into the team’s hall of fame.

Abdelkader only spent one season in Iowa, but it was one that the people of Cedar Rapids still cherish. His 27 goals and 25 assists – along with 86 penalty minutes – contributed a great deal to the RoughRiders’ lone USHL title. Just as fitting as those 52 points in 60 games was his plus/minus total – an impressive +20 in his first season away from high school hockey.

 

“It’s a huge honor, tremendous honor,” Abdelkader said. “I’m glad I could be here and be a part of it. Being a RoughRider means a lot to me, it was a special year and obviously hoisting the Clark Cup at the end was tremendous, with the right group of players and obviously without them this all wouldn’t be possible, so obviously owe a lot to those guys, but it’s great to be back at The Stable and reminisce, a lot of great memories.”

His stay in Cedar Rapids prepared Abdelkader for three years at Michigan State, where he once again led his team to a title – this time, a NCAA national title. He also cracked the Red Wings’ line-up in time to lift Lord Stanley’s Cup in 2008. Moving away from home certainly benefitted him both on the ice and off, but it still wasn’t easy.

“It was his first year leaving home,” said his father, Joe. “That was not easy on any of us. We’ll never forget when we dropped him off for the first time, it was quite emotional. Leaving him a place we’ve never been to, family we didn’t know, coach we didn’t know, players… it all seemed to work out pretty good.”

 

“He had grown as a person, as an individual and a hockey player coming here that year,” Sheryl Abdelkader said.

During his celebration, Abdelkader took part in a pre-game ceremony, spoke to the current RoughRiders and signed autographs for a line of people estimated well over 500 at one point.

“It’s great, great to be back, first time since hoisting the Clark Cup here at The Stable, great to see Mark (Carlson), who is still coaching here and a lot of familiar faces at the arena here, got to drive around downtown a bit, drive around where I went to school and just reminiscing old times, good memories,” Abdelkader said.

The significance of his son’s honor wasn’t lost on Joe Abdelkader, either.

“You look back and there’s so many memories, it starts right here for us, winning the championship here. It all began here. If he doesn’t come to Cedar Rapids, he’s not where he’s at today.”

Check out the ceremony video the RoughRiders made for Abdelkader:

All quotes courtesy of the USHL