Coaching Staff 2025/26
The Rocky Mountain RoughRiders are proud to announce their Head Coaches for the 2025-26 Season. The RoughRiders Coaching Staff brings a vast amount of hockey knowledge from both their playing and coaching experience. The RoughRiders have an experienced elite staff that is built to develop each player and provide them a developmental path to become an elite level player.
As a Tier 1 Program with an affiliation with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the United States Hockey League (USHL) and the Connecticut RoughRiders of the Eastern Hockey League (EHL), we hope to continue to provide a top notch Tier 1 program that continues to develop young hockey players to play at the highest levels of hockey. The RoughRiders hope to continue to not only develop players on the ice but off the ice as well in the community and academically.
The RoughRiders play out of one of the finest facilities in Colorado that includes amenities considered to be top notch for hosting showcases or tournaments. The RoughRIders Tryouts will be hosted at the Blue Sport Stable in Superior, CO. A multi-sheet facility equipped with 2 full sheets of ice and a smaller skills pad. The Blue Sport Stable also includes an Indoor Turf field and full workout facilities. The RoughRiders also have the ability to host games or showcases at The Stable in Cedar Rapids, IA a first class USHL facility with two sheets of ice.
If you are interested in playing hockey for the RoughRiders, please contact Steve Quailer, Director of Hockey Operations, via email at quailerhockey@gmail.com, one of the Head Coaches or complete the "Interested in Becoming a RoughRider" questionnaire on the Tier I page under the Programs tab.
Doug Smail had a 16-year professional hockey career, including 13 seasons in the NHL and 3 years in European leagues. He started his journey in junior hockey with the Moose Jaw Canucks in the SJHL, then played for the University of North Dakota for three seasons, winning a National Championship in 1980. After college, Smail entered the NHL, signing with the Winnipeg Jets, where he spent ten years. He also played for the Minnesota North Stars (now the Dallas Stars), the Quebec Nordiques (now the Colorado Avalanche), and the Ottawa Senators, each for one year. Following his NHL career, he played three seasons in Europe across two countries. Smail has been deeply involved in hockey education, focusing on on-ice instruction, skill development, and coaching. He has taught at hockey schools worldwide for 25 years and has been coaching youth hockey for the past 18 years, with 13 of those at the AAA level. His coaching style has been influenced by NHL coaches and international hockey experts from Canada, the US, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe. Doug Smail lives in Genesee CO. with his wife Wanda.
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.
Coach Duncan brings a wealth of experience and passion to the rink. He spent last season as a coach for the Tier I AAA Rocky Mountain RoughRiders 15U team. He has spent the last five seasons coaching with the Rocky Mountain Roughriders where he has worked across various age levels, from 13U to 18U, nurturing talent and fostering growth in his players. Duncan holds a Level 4 USA Hockey Coach certification.
Duncan's own journey in hockey is deeply intertwined with the Roughriders organization. As a former Roughrider himself, he proudly wore the team's colors, having played for the old Junior team at BV Ice and the Eastern Hockey League affiliate, the Connecticut Roughriders. His playing career continued at Worcester State University, where he competed in NCAA Division III ice hockey before transferring to the University of Colorado, Boulder. At CU Boulder, Duncan contributed his skills to the ACHA Division I team.
With his unique blend of playing experience and coaching expertise, Duncan understands the intricacies of the hockey journey. He knows firsthand what it takes for players to achieve their goals, both on and off the ice. Beyond developing their hockey skills, Duncan is driven to make a lasting impact on the lives of his players as they navigate the challenges of young adulthood.
Greg Vanover has been a full-time hockey coach since 2000, starting with the Alliance Youth Hockey Association in Dallas, Texas. He's now in his 23rd year of coaching. For the last seven years, he's been with the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders, working as a Player Development and Program Director, Head Coach, and overseeing the Billeting program along with spring and summer programs. From 2004 to 2012, USA Hockey chose Greg as a Coach/Evaluator at their Rocky Mountain District Player Development Camps. He also served as a Coach/Evaluator for the USA Hockey 14U and 15U National Select Festivals between 2008 and 2012. Greg holds a Master's in Education with a specialization in Exercise Physiology. He's worked with the NHL's Dallas Stars Rookie Camp, assisting Strength and Conditioning Coach JJ McQueen. Greg has a Masters Level 5 Coaching Certification and has presented at the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program, focusing on Year-Round Off-Ice Conditioning for Level 4 coaches. In 2008, Greg moved to Colorado with his wife Allison to coach the 18U team for the Pikes Peak Miners Program, achieving significant success. Over eight years, he helped over 60 players progress to higher levels of junior hockey. Greg is known for his focus on player development and preparation for junior-level success. Greg, his wife Allison, their son Noah, and their Australian Shepherds, Bronco and Barrel, reside in Erie, Colorado. He is committed to his players' development, character, and accountability, continuing to support and mentor them beyond the hockey season.
Steve Quailer, from Colorado, started his hockey career with the Colorado Outlaws AAA team. He then played for the Sioux City Musketeers in the USHL for a season, leading in points, earning Rookie Of The Year, making the USHL All-Star Game, and being named to the USHL All-Rookie Team. Steve was drafted 86th overall in the third round by the Montreal Canadiens after his USHL season.He spent three years at Northeastern University in Boston, playing for the Huskies where he was voted Rookie Of The Year, made the Hockey East All-Rookie Team, served as a captain for three years, and was named MVP in his final season. Post-NCAA, Steve signed with the Montreal Canadiens and played in the American Hockey League for their affiliate in Hamilton, Ontario, and for the Los Angeles Kings affiliate in Manchester, New Hampshire. His playing career ended in the ECHL with the Idaho Steelheads due to injuries.After retiring, Steve began coaching with the Metro State Roadrunners in the ACHA, leading them to two National Tournament appearances, four District Tournament appearances, two BMHC Regular Season Championships, two BMHC Playoff Championships, and was named Coach Of The Year in the 2018-2019 BMHC season. He then joined the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders, starting as an assistant coach for the 16U team, then becoming Head Coach for the 15O team in 2021-2022, and the 16U team in 2022-2023, where they won the CAHA State playoffs. Steve is currently the 16U Head Coach for the RoughRiders and works in Athletic Development for Summit Academy Sports.
Timm Lorenz has 20+ years coaching experience. He is currently in his 7th season as the director of goaltending for the Boulder Hockey Club and his 15th year as the goaltending director for the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders. Prior to this, he gained experience as the goaltending director for Arvada Hockey Association for 9 years, 7 years with the Goaltender Development Institute (GDI), and many other coaching experiences including USA Hockey National Festivals, University of Denver (WCHA) and many other Junior A and Midget AAA teams around the country.