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Dogs Sign Scrappy Duo...Not Scrappy Doo

August 12, 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 featured the signings of a pair of exciting young pups.

General Manager and Head Coach Robbie S. Nichols announced the additions of forwards John DiPace and Bill Downey. DiPace, 23, is another former Flint General to follow his coach to Richmond, joining Mike Wolf and Brendan Tedstone. Meanwhile, Downey, 24, becomes the third member from last year's RiverDogs' squad to re-up with the club, along with David Brosseau and Brian Goudie.

DiPace, voted the "Most Popular Player" in Flint a season ago, scored 45 points on a career-best 20 goals, while missing just one game. He added 229 penalty minutes to a scrappy style of play, heavily disliked by opposing players and coaches.

"He's not afraid to get his nose dirty," said Nichols. "John DiPace is a very exciting player to watch. He gives 100-percent, 100-percent of the time. I know he will become an instant fan-favorite like he was with the Generals."

Along with 92 points (36 goals, 56 assists) in 149 professional games, all in Flint under Nichols, DiPace brings a winning background to Richmond. The forward won the Continental Cup Championship with the Detroit Lightning of the CEHL during the 2002-03 season.

On a more familiar side for RiverDogs fans, Downey returns for his sophomore season as a professional, spending last year with four teams in three different leagues. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native began his pro career in 2003-04 near home playing four games with the ECHL's Johnstown Chiefs before continuing in Pennsylvania the following season, where he played another pair. The winger also spent five games with the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) and four more with the Asheville Aces (SPHL). He then finished the year with 15 games wearing a dog on his chest, amassing four points on two goals and two assists. Overall, in 2004-05, Downey totaled five points (2 goals, 3 assists) with 41 penalty minutes in 26 games.

"Like DiPace, Bill Downey works extremely hard," Nichols stated. "These are the type of players the RiverDogs are building this team with."

Downey and DiPace bring the number of RiverDogs signed for the 2005-06 season to eight, with a trio of additions on the horizon for next week. The club cannot say much as this time, other than that it believes local fans will be very happy with the announcements to be made in the coming days.

Richmond opens its exhibition season on October 14th with back-to-back games against new rival Roanoke. The battles, 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 sincerely 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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