Sam Anderson started his hockey career in his home state of Utah before heading to Colorado to play AAA hockey for the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders.

Next season, Anderson will head back home for junior hockey in the USPHL after recently signing an NCDC tender with the Ogden Mustangs, a team that will be part of an NCDC expansion division.

“Ogden’s assistant coach Jonathan Cosman has known me for a while because I did private lessons with him, so he invited me to come skate with the Ogden team during Thanksgiving break and they liked me so much they offered me a tender,” said Anderson, a native of Syracuse, Utah. “It’s an opportunity to do well at a Tier II league preparing for college hockey. I was super thrilled when I was offered to play for this team. I live in Syracuse, so I live only about 20 minutes from the rink.”

This season with the RoughRiders’ 16U team, Anderson is one of the team’s top forwards. Last season with the RoughRiders’ 15U team, Anderson averaged nearly a point per game with 29 goals and 58 points in 59 games.

“I am really enjoying my team this year and look forward to more success as the season progresses,” Anderson said. “I personally am working on a few things to continue to develop as a player.”

Growing up, Anderson also played for the Utah Jr. Grizzlies and Park City Ice Miners and at Farmington High School before coming to the RoughRiders.

“My dad has always been my coach in youth hockey even up until now as he’s always helping me,” said Anderson. “My Colorado coach Steve Quailer is making me a better hockey player and developing my game.

“I hope to be able to play Division I college and make it to the NHL one day.”

Photo provided by Sam Anderson

— Matt Mackinder

(December 14, 2022)