Blazers acquire Bill Vandermeer; sign him and Ted Vandermeer to contracts

Published on July 22, 2008 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Oklahoma City Blazers News Release


Oklahoma City - The Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League acquired forward Bill Vandermeer from the Amarillo Gorillas in exchange for the rights to Ryan Watson, Gordon Bell and John Kozoriz, head coach Doug Sauter announced today. Sauter then signed forwards Bill and his brother Ted Vandermeer to contracts.

Bill Vandermeer, a 5-11, 180-pound native of Caroline, Alberta played the last two seasons with the Amarillo Gorillas. In two seasons in west Texas, Bill amassed 159 points (71-88-159) in 125 games played. During the 06-07 campaign, he led the Gorillas in goals with 37 while leading the team in scoring with 75 points. Last season, he led his team in scoring with 84 points, paced the team with 50 assists and was second with 34 goals. Over the last three seasons, Bill has recorded 186 points (79-107-186) while serving 159 penalty minutes in 192 games played.

Ted Vandermeer, a 6-0, 192-pound native of Caroline, Alberta played his first season as a pro with the Austin Ice Bats. In 52 games, he recorded 41 points (17-24-41) while serving 100 penalty minutes. His 41 points placed him among the top 15 in scoring among first-year players in the CHL last season. Prior to turning pro, the youngest Vandermeer played four seasons with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League, recording 76 points (32-44-76) and serving 207 penalty minutes in 202 games.

Bill and Ted Vandermeer are the youngest of six Vandermeers from Caroline, Alberta that have played and continue to play professional hockey. In addition to Bill (Amarillo) and Ted (Austin), Pete (San Antonio Rampage - AHL), Dan (Richmond Renegades - SPHL), and Jim (Chicago Blackhawks- NHL) all played last season while Joe retired following the 04-05 season.

"Other than talking with Doug, playing with him (Ted) was the main reason I opted to come to Oklahoma City," said Bill Vandermeer. "I played with my older brother Dan my first year as a pro in Richimond. I think this (playing with Ted) will be as good or better. I had a couple of offers to go to Europe, but thought playing with my little brother would be great."

"Signing Ted first no doubt had an impact on acquiring Bill's rights," said Sauter. "These are two different players with different attitudes, but both have the same goal of winning a championship. Ted will be a role player that can hopefully score and play great defense. I think that Bill can be the next Joe Burton for the Blazers. He has the talent and the competitive spirit that serves him well in his play."

The Vandermeer brothers are the seventh and eighth players signed by the Blazers for the 08-09 season. They join forwards DJ Jelitto, Jason Murfitt, and Simon Lambert defensemen Stacey Bauman and Justin Sawyer and goaltender Andy Franck on the Blazers roster.

The Blazers 17th season of play commences October 17 at the Ford Center against the Tulsa Oilers. Season ticket packages are available now by calling the Blazers office at 235-PUCK.

NOTE: The Vandermeer brothers will be the eighth set of siblings to play for the Blazers in franchise history. They join Hardy, Don and Barkley Sauter, Ross and Todd Harris, Eric and Brad Preston, Dallas and Sheldon Flaman, Ryan and Troy Johnston and Reagan and Ryan Rome. Kahlil and Leo Thomas skated in preseason games for the Blazers, but Leo did not appear in a regular season game.

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Central Hockey League Stories from July 22, 2008


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