Renegades Sign Vandermeer

May 8, 2007 - SPHL (SPHL)
Richmond Renegades News Release


Richmond Renegades President and General Manager, Allan B. Harvie, Jr. today announced that he has signed defenseman DAN VANDERMEER as player/assistant coach for the 2007-08 season. JJ WROBEL, the Renegades top scorer last season and KAZUMA TAKAHASHI, a popular forward from Japan who played five games for the Renegades last season have also come to terms with the team.

"This is a very exciting day for all Renegades fans," exclaimed Harvie. "Having Dan back in Richmond is going to make a huge difference to our team. He brings a tremendous amount of experience and talent to our young squad and will fill a huge void that was created when Brian Goudie became our coach. Dan is known for giving 110% every time he hits the ice and I know the fans here will enjoy seeing him back in a Renegades uniform. He was the UHL's Defenseman of the Year his final season in Richmond (2005-06) so we are replacing the SPHL's top defenseman with the UHL's top defenseman."

Last season VanDermeer was the player/assistant coach for the expansion Rocky Mountain Rage of the Central Hockey League appearing in 57 games scoring 5 goals and 18 assists while accumulating 87 PIM's. He missed several games after a routine check into the boards fractured a bone in his right hand. The previous season he played for the Richmond Riverdogs (UHL) where he was player/assistant coach. That was a career season for him as he scored 15 goals and 75 assists for 90 points while amassing 85 PIM's. He was selected the UHL's Defenseman of the Year that season. VanDermeer previously played for the Richmond Renegades of the ECHL from 1998-2003 where he was known more for his defense and fighting skills than his scoring. He played two different seasons in the AHL in Kentucky and Cincinnati.

He currently resides in Richmond with his wife Christy, a Richmond native, and their two children.

Wrobel, one of only three Renegades' players to play all 56 regular season games last season, led the Renegades in total scoring during their first SPHL regular season racking up 28 goals and 36 assists for 64 points while spending 66 minutes in the penalty box. His goal total was second on the team only to Danny White who lit the lamp 32 times. Wrobel had a hat trick, 5 power play goals, 3 short handed goals and 3 game winning goals during the regular season. He had a goal and an assist in three playoff games.

Takahashi appeared in 5 Renegades' games scoring 1 power play goal and 4 assists. He became a fan favorite with his quick, flashy play before he was required to leave the country when his visa expired.

"This is an absolutely fantastic start to our team for next season," stated Harvie. "I am currently speaking with several other players who will be returning next season once we finalize a few details."

Renegades 2007-08 season tickets and sponsorships are currently on sale by calling the Renegades office at 804-644-7825 or on-line at www.rrenegades.com.



SPHL Stories from May 8, 2007


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.

OurSports Central