Richmond's newest five average 21 years of age

Published on September 2, 2005 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Richmond RiverDogs News Release


Richmond, VA - The Richmond RiverDogs, proud members of the United Hockey League, today announced the signings of five experienced young talents, adding four forwards and a defenseman.

Joining the RiverPups, as they could be known with a roster that now possesses 10 rookies on a squad of 16, are Rafal Martynowski, Jason Cassells, J.P. Pauly, Bret Peppler and Josh Vanderbreggen. All five qualify as first-year talents in the UHL.

Martynowski, 21, has spent the last five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, playing three years with the Kitchener Rangers and the most recent two for the Sudbury Wolves. The 2004-2005 season brought career highs in every major offensive category for the left winger, as he posted 31 goals, 36 assists, 67 points, and 65 penalty minutes in 68 games.

"He's coming off a terrific season in Major Junior A with nearly a point a game," said Head Coach and General Manager Robbie S. Nichols. "For the Wolves last year, he was voted their team MVP, top scorer, and most underrated player. I don't think he'll be underrated in this league. I think he's got a great shot at Rookie of the Year."

Along with Martynowski, a Maple, Ontario, native, the Dogs welcome fellow forward Jason Cassells from Scarborough, Ont. The lefty is fresh off a four-year career at Elmira College in New York, quickly followed by a seven-game stint for the local UHL Jackals. In his first taste at pro hockey, Cassells scored one goal to go with two assists. In four years at the NCAA level, the 22-year-old netted 36 goals and 85 points in 92 contests.

"Cassells is a speedster," Coach Nichols stated. "That'll come in handy without the red-line this year. It really opens things up."

With Cassells potentially at the center position and Martynowski on the left wing, an all-rookie line could be completed by Bret Peppler, a right winger from Rhein, Saskatchewan. Peppler, 20, is coming off of back-to-back 30-plus-goal seasons for the Swan Valley Stampeders of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. Last season, Peppler finished 3rd in the MJHL in goals scored and had 71 points overall.

"Bret plays like a Dave Shields clone," compared Coach Nichols. "Shields was a 20-goal scorer in Richmond a couple years ago. I think fans will really like this kid."

On the defensive side, Richmond now has a name to compete with Vandermeer and Van Buskirk, at least in terms of spelling. The Dogs picked up Josh Vanderbreggen, a 20-year-old blue-liner from Milton, Ont. Coach Nichols says that he expects Vanderbreggen to add "grit and toughness" to the defense. If there is any indication of such a prophecy, a person need only look at the numbers; in his two previous seasons with the Yarmouth Mariners of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League (MJAHL), Vanderbreggen combined for 363 penalty minutes in just 81 games.

Additionally, the Dogs added young forward James (J.P.) Pauly. A native of Williamsville, New York, Pauly has spent time in UHL training camps with Port Huron and Quad City, both during the 2003-2004 season. Prior, the 23-year-old was the top scorer for his NOJHL squad, the Abitibi Eskimos, in 2002-2003. He netted 31 goals and 63 points for the campaign. With Richmond, he will start by trying to earn a spot on the roster.

"He's a young guy looking to make the team," said Coach Nichols. "Usually, bubble guys have the right attitude and it will be a fun and competitive training camp for him. He is supposed to be a good team guy, though, and that never hurts."

With the new litter, the RiverDogs have 16 players under contract 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).

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from September 2, 2005


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