Another Former Richmond Renegade Signs On

August 24, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Richmond RiverDogs News Release


Richmond, VA - The Richmond RiverDogs, a proud member of the United Hockey League, today announced a pair of defensive upgrades, adding blue-liner and former Richmond Renegade Ryan Van Buskirk and rookie goaltender Doug Groenestege.

Van Buskirk, an experienced defenseman with 217 professional games under his belt, including 90 at the American Hockey League level, joins veteran d-men Brian Goudie and Dan Vandermeer in an increasingly potent RiverDogs line-up. The 25-year-old native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, split last season with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL and the East Coast Hockey League's Gwinnett Gladiators. In his two stops, the defenseman totaled a career-high 17 points on two goals and 15 assists, also a personal best, in 52 games.

Van Buskirk began his first full professional season during the 2000-2001 campaign playing right here in the Richmond Coliseum for the now-defunct Richmond Renegades of the ECHL. Prior, he had twice been drafted by National Hockey League clubs, selected by Phoenix in 1998 and Washington in 2000, both times in the fourth rounds. That year, the lefty saw 15 games of action for the ‘Gades, earning a pair of assists, before moving up to the AHL for 18 contests with the Portland Pirates. After spending another year with Portland, Van Buskirk returned to Richmond for the 2002-2003 season, notching career-highs with four goals and 125 penalty minutes in 60 games.

"Ryan Van Buskirk comes to us with a reputation for being a hard-hitter and an even harder worker," said Head Coach and General Manager Robbie S. Nichols. "He had opportunities to return to the AHL this season but he's starting to think about life after hockey and this is where he wants to be."

Van Buskirk is working on getting his real estate license. In the meantime, however, he will work to help protect the net, one in which could be occupied by new goaltender Doug Groenestege.

A native of Mitchell, Ontario, Groenestege, 21, is fresh off a season split between college-level play at the University of British Columbia and Junior A action with the Milton Ice Hawks. Combined, Groenestege compiled a 19-12 record with a goals-against-average of just over 2.50. Earlier, the tender saw time between the pipes with the Ottawa 67s and Mississauga Ice Dogs, both of the Ontario Hockey League.

"Doug will get a good look," Coach Nichols stated. "I'm not sure he is a number-one goaltender yet but he's young and talented. He'll have every opportunity to come in here and show what we're told he's got - good size and a quick glove."

With Groenestege and Van Buskirk added to Richmond's roster, the RiverDogs now have 11 men signed for the 2005-2006 season.

Richmond opens its pre-season on October 14th with back-to-back games against new rival Roanoke. The matches, taking place in the 700-seat Skate Nation on the 14th and 15th, are being tabbed as the "Battle on Broad Street!" The regular season commences on Friday, October 21st, as the RiverDogs host the Adirondack Frostbite at the Richmond Coliseum. Individual game tickets for all Richmond home games will be available for purchase beginning in early-October. We will keep you updated with all developments regarding ticket sales as we draw closer to the season. Season tickets, FlexPaks, birthday parties and group packages are available through the RiverDogs' office. For more information on tickets or upcoming games, please call our office at (804) 225-PUCK (7825).

PLEASE NOTE: Our website is currently under construction as plans for a new site are in development. The new address will be www.riverdogsuhl.com. We hope to have this functional within the next few weeks and appreciate your patience throughout this process.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from August 24, 2005


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