River Otters Round Out Defense By Re-Signing Cappelletti

Published on October 2, 2003 under United Hockey League (UHL)
Missouri River Otters News Release


River Otters Defenseman Anthony Cappelletti returns for a fourth year with the team.

Cappelletti has netted 73 points (17g, 56a) and 290 penalty minutes in 212 games with Missouri.

ST. CHARLES, MO (October 2, 2003) – Head coach/director of hockey operations Lonnie Loach of the Missouri River Otters of the United Hockey League (UHL) announced today that fifth-year defenseman Anthony Cappelletti has been re-signed for the 2003-2004 season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Cappelletti – the 27-year-old native of Sudbury, Ontario – contributed 20 points (4g, 16a) and 92 penalty minutes to the River Otters last year, along with a goal in the playoffs. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound defenseman established new career highs in goals (12), assists (24), points (36) and penalty minutes (105) with the River Otters in 2001-2002, and was the only player on the River Otters roster to play in all 74 of the team's regular season games that year. He led the team defense in scoring and ranked sixth overall. He ranked 13th in the UHL in scoring among defensemen.

Cappelletti is one of those guys who truly dish their heart out on the ice every night. "It's great to have an experienced defenseman like Cappy back," coach Loach said. "He has been a leader on this team the last couple of years, and we're looking for the same from him this year."

During his rookie year (1999-2000), Cappelletti spent 52 games with the Huntington Blizzard of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and picked up 12 points (5g, 7a). He began the year with the Trenton Titans, playing in eight games and scoring the first goal in franchise history.

Cappelletti finished a four-year career at UMass-Lowell with a banner season. He captained the squad as a senior, while setting collegiate career highs in goals (13), assists (19) and points (32). His 13 goals were the most by any defenseman in the NCAA that season. He garnered All Hockey East and All New England Team honors, along with the Team MVP and Best Team Defenseman awards. Cappelletti compiled 61 points (18g, 43a) in 127 collegiate games at UMass-Lowell.

The River Otters' players under contract include defensemen Anthony Cappelletti, Bob Rapoza, Jeff Cameron, Doug Searle, Ryan Gillis, and Tony White, along with forwards J.P. Beilsten, Joe Ritson, Charlie Blyth, Jeff Petruic, Kori Davison, Troy Mann, and rookie Jesse Heerema. The River Otters have also signed two goaltenders - Brian Regan and Tim Knudsen. Rookie defenseman Chad Moore has been invited to the River Otters 2003 training camp.

The Missouri River Otters open their new season on October 24th. The Kalamazoo Wings and former River Otters coach Mark Reeds come to town to take on Reeds' former captain and new River Otters head coach Lonnie Loach. It's also St. Louis Pizza and Wings Magnet Schedule Night. Don't forget that all full season ticket holders have been entered in the River Otters' Gulliver's Travels Vacation Sweepstakes. The drawing to win a seven-day all-inclusive trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, will be held on opening night, October 24th. Season ticket packages and corporate partnership opportunities are available by calling the River Otters at 636.896.4200.

4 Cappelletti, Anthony (CAP-uh-letti) Position: Defense Shoots: Left Birth date: 02/01/76 Height: 6'1" Weight: 195 Birthplace: Sudbury, ON

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