RiverBlades Announce Signings

Published on September 9, 2002 under ECHL (ECHL)
Arkansas RiverBlades News Release


The Arkansas RiverBlades announced three more signings today as General Manager/Head Coach Chris Cichocki has agreed to terms with Forwards Mark Scott, Mike Sandbeck, and Buddy Smith for the 2002-03 season.

Coach Cichocki says "I like to surround my team with players who have great character and all three of these guys put the RiverBlades team goals ahead of their own personal numbers. I'm very happy to have all three of these players back on the squad".

Buddy Smith returns to the RiverBlades after finishing the 2001-02 season overseas. Smith played 15 games for Arkansas last season, tallying 12 points during that time. The 28-year-old native of Rochfort Bridge, Alberta, is one of the quickest players in the ECHL and can create instant offense with just the slightest opportunity. Smith scored 53 points for the Pee Dee Pride in 1999-2000 and is expected to put up similar numbers this season.

Mike Sandbeck returns for his second season with the Blades and is expected to fill many roles. A former college teammate of Smith's at Northern Michigan, Sandbeck was traded to Arkansas from New Orleans in late November. Sandbeck showed his versatility playing on several different lines, killing penalties, and even filling in at defense late in the season. In 47 games for Arkansas, Sandbeck scored 7 goals to go along with 14 assists for 21 points.

The team enforcer, Mark Scott, will be back to police the ice for the Blades in 2002-2003. Scott made great strides as a player and did not back down from any altercation. Scott looked after his teammates by taking on all the ECHL heavyweights last season and improved greatly as a player. Scott played in every RiverBlades game, scoring his first ECHL goal to go along with 7 assists and 140 penalty minutes.

The RiverBlades open the 2002-03 regular season on Saturday, October 12, hosting the Louisiana IceGators at 7:05 PM. Ticket information is available by calling the RiverBlades office at (501) 975-2327.

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