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River Otters Sign Former NHL Defenseman Dennis Vial

August 17, 2004 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Missouri River Otters News Release


St. Charles, MO --- The Missouri River Otters of the United Hockey League are proud to announce the signing of defenseman Dennis Vial. The burly defenseman played 242 games in the National Hockey League, including stints with the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Ottawa Senators. In that span he racked up nearly 800 penalty minutes.

Vial, 35, has spent most of the last three seasons with the Columbia Inferno of the East Coast Hockey League. During that stint, the 6'1'', 200 pound defenseman played 191 games, scoring 16 goals, dishing out 41 assists, and piling up 396 penalty minutes. He's played more than 750 games as a professional.

"Dennis is going to bring veteran leadership to our team," said River Otters head coach Kevin Kaminski, who played against Vial in the NHL. "What I like most is that he will bring everyone else's intensity level up."

Vial was an integral part of the 2002-03 Columbia squad that went all the way to the ECHL's Kelly Cup final before losing in the championship round to Atlantic City.

"Dennis knows what it takes to win," Kaminski said, "and he'll be a solid anchor who will settle things down when he has to."

The River Otters start their Colonial Cup quest Friday, October 15 at Kansas City, and the home opener is Saturday, October 23 against Quad City.

To purchase season tickets for the upcoming River Otters season, please call 636-896-4200!

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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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