Rivermen Re-Sign All-Star Center Rennette
Published on August 1, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
PEORIA, IL (August 1, 2003) â Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jason Christie of the Peoria Rivermen of the ECHL announced today that All-Star center Tyler Rennette has been re-signed for the 2003-2004 season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Rennette â a 6-foot-1, 180-pound center â notched 42 goals last season, tying him for second in the ECHL in goal scoring with Mississippi's Steffon Walby and setting a new Rivermen ECHL record for goals. Rennette is the first 40-goal scorer the Rivermen have had since the 1991-1992 International Hockey League (IHL) season, when Steve Tuttle netted 43 and Yves Heroux tallied 41.
The 24-year-old native of North Bay, Ontario shined in the first All-Star appearance of his career this past January, netting the Northern Conference's first goal in an 8-2 rout of the Southern Conference. He also won the Hardest Shot Contest with a 95 mph slap shot during the Skills Competition.
Christie said Rennette's signing sets the table for recruiting a strong team this season.
"This is a great way for us to start our off-season signings," Christie said. "Tyler came to play every night last year and was obviously our go-to guy when it came to scoring goals. He's a solid and productive AHL-caliber player that we have been fortunate to utilize in a big way over the past two seasons.
"This league, though, is about moving up," Christie added. "We, as an organization, are going to try to provide Tyler with as many opportunities to get back to the AHL and ultimately, the NHL. His accomplishments last season showed everyone what kind of player he is."
Rennette, who will be entering his fifth professional season and fourth with the Rivermen, enjoyed two call-ups to the American Hockey League (AHL) during the 2002-2003 season, playing in four regular season games with two assists for the Hamilton Bulldogs and competing in two playoff games for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Rennette believes the team's outstanding fan support makes Peoria the best city in the ECHL.
"The fans here are unbelievable," Rennette said. "This is such a great town and our building is always full. Playing in this kind of atmosphere makes it easy to come to the rink game in and game out.
Rennette said Christie is largely responsible for his breakout season in 2002-2003.
"My relationship with Jason has been tremendous the past three seasons," Rennette said. "I credit him with making me the player I am today. And I want to get better and build on what I did last year."
Rennette â a former second round pick (40th overall) of the St. Louis Blues in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft â spent parts of each of his first three professional seasons with the Worcester IceCats (AHL), the Blues primary affiliate. He spent his entire rookie campaign (1999-2000) with Worcester, collecting 25 points (8g, 17a) in 55 games and posting five points (2g, 3a) in seven playoff games. He spent 29 games with the IceCats in his second professional season (2000-2001), registering 11 points (3g, 8a), and two seasons ago, he played four games with Worcester with one assist.
Rennette split his three-year Major Junior "A" career (1996-1999) in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) between his hometown North Bay Centennials and the Erie (Pa.) Otters. In 94 games with North Bay, he posted 89 points (41g, 48a) before his trade to Erie during the middle of the 1997-1998 season. He then went on to collect 100 points (46g, 54a) in 85 games with Erie.
The Peoria Rivermen are a member of the ECHL â America's Premier "AA" Hockey League. The Rivermen will commence their eighth season in the 31-team league on October 17, 2003, when they face off against the Cincinnati Cyclones on the road. The Rivermen Home Opener is Saturday, October 18, 2003 against the archrival Toledo Storm. Game time is 7:05 p.m. at Carver Arena at the Peoria Civic Center. The Rivermen will host the 2004 ECHL All-Star Game on January 21. Season ticket packages for the 2003-2004 season are available by calling the Rivermen at 309.676.1040.
American Hockey League Stories from August 1, 2003
- Rocky the Roadrunner Review - Edmonton Road Runners
- Griffins Go to Ireland - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Rivermen Re-Sign All-Star Center Rennette - Peoria Rivermen
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.
