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Dogs add two more to kennel

September 6, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Richmond RiverDogs News Release


Richmond, VA - The Richmond RiverDogs, proud members of the United Hockey League, today announced a pair of signings designed to upgrade both the offense and defense of an already potent squad.

The Dogs added center Mike Oliveira and defenseman Dennis Mullen, both long-time products of the East Coast Hockey League.

Oliveira, 26, enters his seventh professional season with veteran status, bringing 115 goals and 260 career points to Richmond. Since beginning with the Roanoke Express toward the end of the 1998-1999 campaign, the forward has played 347 games with nine teams, all but one in the ECHL. Most recently, the West Lorne, Ontario, native spent two seasons with the Central Hockey League's New Mexico Scorpions. There, Oliveira netted 63 goals and 140 points in 112 contests, while spending just 34 minutes in the penalty box.

"After 79 points in 57 games two seasons ago, I think he could be a 100-point guy with the extra 20 games this year," said Head Coach and General Manager Robbie S. Nichols. "He's a disher, a scorer, and we expect him to be our top option at the net."

Oliveira comes to Richmond with a reputation for great speed and dazzling stick-handling abilities. His new teammate, Mullen, brings a different billing: Don't run into him in a dark alley.

"He's got anger management problems," state Coach Nichols. "And I like that."

Mullen, like Oliveira, is entering his seventh pro season and has spent the previous six with nine different clubs. The difference is clear, however. While Oliveira is best known for his scoring touch, Mullen is known for his tough punch. The 28-year-old defenseman has 939 career penalty minutes in only 168 games, an average of nearly six per contest, most coming in the ECHL.

Last season, the Bonnyville, Alberta, native suited up in only nine games, earning 46 minutes in the sin bin for the Victoria Salmon Kings. The lefty had previously retired after the 2002-2003 season with the San Diego Gulls, where he earned 279 penalty minutes in only 29 games, and sat out the entire 2003-2004 campaign.

With the new additions, the RiverDogs have 18 players under contract for the 2005-2006 season, including 11 forwards, six defensemen and a goaltender.

Tickets are currently on sale for Richmond's pre-season contests on October 14th and 15th against new rival Roanoke. The matches, taking place in the 700-seat Skate Nation, are being tabbed as the "Battle on Broad Street!" Season-ticket holders for the Dogs have the first chance to purchase seats to the pre-season games for $11. Seats go on sale to the general public on October 3rd, provided the games are not already sold out. We encourage season-ticket holders to reserve their tickets as early as possible.

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 on October 3rd. Season tickets, FlexPaks, birthday parties and group packages are available through the RiverDogs' office. With questions on tickets or upcoming games, please call (804) 225-PUCK (7825).

Also, as a reminder, the RiverDogs will be participating in their first ever golf tournament to be played at the 18-hole River's Bend Golf Club in Chester, Virginia, on October 10th. The tournament will feature members of the Dogs' team and staff and will be followed by a banquet, including a dinner buffet and auction.

The event is open to the public for $100 per person or $300 for each group of four people who would like to participate. Each foursome will be joined by a RiverDogs player or staff member to complete the five-person team. If people are interested in attending the event but would prefer not to play, they can still attend the banquet for only $20 to cover their buffet dinners. For companies who may be interested in sponsoring one of the 18 holes, this can be done for only $150 per hole.

If interested, please contact the RiverDogs office for more details or to make your purchase. Tickets must be reserved by October 3rd at 5 pm.

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.

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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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