RoughRiders Welcome Eric Ballard as 16U Tier I Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel

Superior, CO – The Rocky Mountain RoughRiders are excited to announce the addition of Eric Ballard as the Head Coach for the 16U Tier I team and Director of Player Personnel. With an extensive background in coaching, player development, and leadership, Ballard brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to the RoughRiders organization.

Ballard joins the RoughRiders from the Jackson Youth Moose program in Wyoming, where he served as Executive Hockey Director. Under his leadership, the program captured 19 Wyoming Amateur Hockey League State Championships over the past six seasons. His mentorship has helped players advance to AAA programs, prep schools, junior hockey, and collegiate hockey.

With over two decades of coaching experience, Ballard has coached more than 200 games in the North American Hockey League (NAHL), including 183 as a General Manager and Head Coach with the Fresno Monsters and Springfield Jr. Blues. His career also includes ownership, general management, and coaching roles at the Midget AAA, Junior B, and Tier III Junior A levels. He has developed players who have gone on to compete in the National Hockey League (NHL), minor professional leagues, and NCAA programs.

Ballard’s coaching background also includes five seasons with the University of Colorado Buffaloes ACHA DI team. In 2019, he was selected as an assistant coach for Team USA at the World University Games in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.

In addition to his coaching success, Ballard has been heavily involved in player evaluation and development. He has worked with USA Hockey at the state, regional, district, and national levels and has scouted in the Western Hockey League (WHL), United States Hockey League (USHL), and NAHL. Most recently, he served as one of the Northern Plains District Directors and the Boys Player Development Director for the State of Wyoming.

“I am extremely excited to join such a professional and first-class organization like the RoughRiders,” Ballard said. “I am eager to get started and looking forward to the upcoming season.”

The RoughRiders organization is thrilled to welcome Ballard to the team and looks forward to the impact he will have on the program and its players.