Fresno Falcons Sign SPHL All-Time Wins Leader and President’s Cup Champion Austyn Roudebush

Veteran goaltender reunites with Iain Duncan and Parker Moskal while bringing 127 SPHL victories and championship experience to the Central Valley

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno Falcons have added one of the most accomplished goaltenders in SPHL history, announcing the signing of Austyn Roudebush for the 2026–27 season.

The move also reunites Roudebush with two familiar faces from the beginning of his professional career in the United States.

Roudebush played for current Falcons Head Coach Iain Duncan and alongside current Falcons Chief Executive Officer Parker Moskal as a member of the Mentor Ice Breakers during the 2019–20 FPHL season. Now, after building a record-setting professional résumé, the veteran netminder will work with Duncan and Moskal once again as the Falcons prepare to bring professional hockey back to Fresno.

“I started my professional career in the United States playing under Iain Duncan and with Parker Moskal on the Mentor Ice Breakers… it was my first experience playing pro hockey in the states, and they settled me in really well.” Roudebush said. “It’s great to have the chance to work with them again here in Fresno.” - Austyn Roudebush

Roudebush arrives in Fresno as the SPHL’s all-time leader in regular-season victories by a goaltender, completing the 2025–26 season with 127 career wins. He also holds the league record for career postseason victories with 15 and has appeared in more SPHL games than any goaltender in league history.

Beyond the records, Roudebush brings proven championship pedigree to the Central Valley. He backstopped the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs to the 2023 President’s Cup championship and was named the President’s Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player following a dominant postseason run.

The Toledo, Ohio native stands 6'3 and weighs 220 pounds, giving Fresno an experienced and proven presence between the pipes. Roudebush has built his professional reputation through preparation, consistency and an ability to elevate his play in high-pressure situations.

His addition gives the Falcons a goaltender who has won at nearly every stop of his career and already has an established relationship with members of Fresno’s leadership.

The Winningest Goaltender in SPHL History

Roudebush entered the 2025–26 SPHL season within striking distance of the league’s career wins record, which had previously belonged to Peter Di Salvo with 111 regular-season victories.

In November 2025, Roudebush officially moved into sole possession of first place.

He stopped all 37 shots he faced in Roanoke’s 5-0 victory over the Macon Mayhem to earn his 112th career win, passing Di Salvo and becoming the winningest regular-season goaltender in SPHL history. Roudebush continued adding to the record throughout the remainder of the season, eventually raising the mark to 127 career SPHL victories.

His accomplishments extend beyond the regular season. During the 2026 President’s Cup Playoffs, Roudebush earned his 14th career postseason victory to become the winningest playoff goaltender in SPHL history. He added another victory during the opening round, bringing his record-setting total to 15.

Roudebush finished his SPHL tenure as the league’s all-time leader in regular-season wins, postseason wins and career games played by a goaltender, establishing a standard of durability and sustained success rarely seen at the professional level.

His record was not built during a single exceptional season. It was the product of several years of consistent performance, demanding workloads and an ability to give his team an opportunity to win night after night.

Roudebush led the SPHL with 24 victories during the 2022–23 regular season. Two years later, he led the league again with 29 wins during the 2024–25 campaign, tying for the third-highest single-season total in SPHL history.

That ability to perform consistently across multiple seasons made Roudebush the backbone of one of the SPHL’s most competitive organizations.

A President’s Cup Champion and Playoff MVP

Roudebush’s championship pedigree was on full display during Roanoke’s run to the 2023 President’s Cup.

After recording a league-leading 24 wins during the regular season, Roudebush elevated his performance during the playoffs. He appeared in nine postseason games and compiled a 7-2 record with a 2.18 goals-against average, a .925 save percentage and one shutout.

Roanoke swept the Evansville Thunderbolts in the opening round before defeating the regular-season champion Peoria Rivermen in the semifinals.

The Rail Yard Dawgs then faced the Birmingham Bulls in the President’s Cup Final.

After splitting the opening two games in Birmingham, Roanoke secured an overtime victory in Game Three to take control of the series. In Game Four, Roudebush helped keep the Dawgs within striking distance throughout a tightly contested championship-clinching game.

Roanoke ultimately captured its first President’s Cup with a 2-1 overtime victory, winning the best-of-five championship series three games to one. For his performance throughout the postseason, Roudebush was named the 2023 President’s Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player.

The championship completed a journey that had begun one year earlier. Roudebush helped Roanoke reach the 2022 President’s Cup Final after taking over in net during the semifinals and delivering a 36-save shutout against the Huntsville Havoc.

Although the Dawgs fell short in that championship series, the experience helped lay the foundation for their title run the following season.

Roudebush returned with a renewed focus in 2022–23 and helped Roanoke finish the job.

That experience gives Fresno more than a goaltender with impressive career numbers. It gives the Falcons a player who understands what is required to navigate a playoff run, respond to adversity and perform with a championship on the line.

His Professional Journey Began with Familiar Faces

Roudebush began his professional career overseas with Viking HC in Sweden before returning to the United States and joining the Mentor Ice Breakers during the 2019–20 FPHL season.

That year marked the beginning of his relationship with Duncan and Moskal. Duncan served as Mentor’s head coach, while Moskal was a leading part of the Ice Breakers Roster. Roudebush appeared in 26 games for Mentor, recording an 11-11-2 record with a 2.73 goals-against average, a .927 save percentage and one shutout.

The season gave Duncan and Moskal a firsthand look at the preparation, competitiveness and composure that would later become defining characteristics of Roudebush’s career. Following his time in Mentor, Roudebush joined the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs and appeared in 13 games, recording a 2.50 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.

His career continued to gain momentum during the 2020–21 season. After beginning the campaign with the Birmingham Bulls, Roudebush joined the Knoxville Ice Bears and produced one of the strongest stretches of his professional career.

In 18 regular-season appearances for Knoxville, Roudebush recorded 13 victories, a 1.62 goals-against average, a .943 save percentage and four shutouts. His performance earned him All-SPHL Second Team recognition.

Roudebush also appeared in two games for the Tulsa Oilers of the ECHL before continuing his career in the SPHL, where he would establish himself as one of the league’s defining goaltenders.

Now, several years after their season together in Mentor, Roudebush, Duncan and Moskal will reunite in Fresno with an opportunity to build a winning culture for the Falcons.

A Championship Foundation at Adrian College

Before turning professional, Roudebush enjoyed a decorated four-year career with Adrian College’s ACHA Division I program.

He finished his collegiate career with a 61-5-4 record and 17 shutouts, helping Adrian win multiple conference championships. During his senior season, Roudebush led the Bulldogs to the program’s first ACHA Men’s Division I National Championship and earned ACHA Player of the Year, First Team All-American and National Tournament MVP honors.

His collegiate accomplishments were recognized in 2026 when he was selected for induction into the ACHA Hall of Fame.

Combined with his 2023 President’s Cup championship and playoff MVP award, Roudebush brings a history of winning and performing at his best in championship moments.

A Proven Presence for Fresno

The signing represents an important addition as Fresno continues building its roster for the 2026–27 season.

Goaltending is often the foundation of a successful hockey team, particularly when the regular season gives way to the pressure and unpredictability of playoff competition. In Roudebush, the Falcons are adding a goaltender who has repeatedly demonstrated that he can handle a demanding schedule, perform in crucial moments and lead a team deep into the postseason.

His familiarity with Duncan and Moskal also provides an established level of trust as the Falcons prepare for the season ahead.

Roudebush understands the expectations of the organization, while Fresno’s leadership already understands the work ethic, competitiveness and professionalism he brings to the rink.

His experience will also provide leadership within the Falcons’ locker room. Having played professionally in the FPHL, SPHL, ECHL and overseas, Roudebush has experienced nearly every stage of a professional hockey career.

He has earned call-ups, battled for playing time, carried the workload of a starting goaltender, experienced championship disappointment and ultimately responded by winning a title and earning playoff MVP honors.

He now brings those experiences to a Fresno organization preparing to write a new chapter of Falcons hockey.

For Roudebush, the opportunity is about more than records and past accomplishments. It is also an opportunity to connect with a new community and help establish a winning culture in the Central Valley.

“I can’t wait to get to Fresno, meet the community, and play in front of our fans,” Roudebush said. “I’m excited for what’s ahead and can’t wait to help bring winning hockey to the Central Valley.”

With the SPHL’s all-time wins leader and a proven President’s Cup champion now guarding the crease, the Fresno Falcons have added championship experience, veteran leadership and one of the most decorated goaltenders in the SPHL.

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