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RiverKings Add Size with Mantha and Roberts

October 2, 2013 - SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss. -- Mississippi RiverKings Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Derek Landmesser announced today that the team has signed forwards Devin Mantha and Brendan Roberts. Terms and conditions were not released.

Mantha, 24, comes to the RiverKings for his rookie season after a four-year collegiate career split between Miami University (Ohio) and the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire.

"Devin is another big, solid, two-way center that will add depth for us up the middle," Landmesser said.

Mantha believes that this is the right organization for him to begin his professional career with.

"When I heard about the team, I did some homework and it's just a sound organization and I liked the way that Coach Landmesser takes care of his players," Mantha said. "I'm looking forward to coming in and playing a tough game, battle for pucks and chip in a bit offensively as well."

In two seasons with Miami, the 6-foot-1, 203-pound forward notched six points in 26 games. The Sturgeon Bay, Ont. native then transferred to Wisconsin Eau Claire where he tallied 28 points in 56 games and captured an NCAA Division III championship last season.

Roberts, 25, begins his professional career after a four-year career with Marian University where he played with fellow 2013-14 signee Dakota Dubetz.

"Brendan is a big physical winger that will add grit and can also chip in offensively," Landmesser said. "Both players come from solid collegiate programs and are highly recommended by their former coaches."

Roberts agrees with Coach Landmesser's assessment of his style.

"I'm a bigger player and I like to create space for those finesse guys to create offense," said Roberts. "When I talked to Coach Aiken (Head Coach at Marian University) about this opportunity, he had nothing but great things to say about the team, area and coach, and it sounds like the right place for me to start my career."

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound winger tallied 78 points (32G, 46A) in 106 collegiate games at Marian. The Calgary, Alta. native split his junior career with Fort McMurray and Lloydminster of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. With Fort McMurray, Roberts played with former RiverKing Chev Wilson.

The RiverKings open their 2013-14 quest for the President's Cup at home on October 26 against the Louisiana IceGators. Group tickets start at $8 and are available by contacting the RiverKings front office at 662-342-1755.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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