Rivermen Sign Three Players
Published on July 12, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
Head Coach Jason Christie signed his third player for the upcoming 2002-03 East Coast Hockey League campaign on Thursday as former Peoria Rivermen goaltender Duane "Duke" Derksen will return. Derksen lead the team to the 2000 ECHL Kelly Cup Championship winning the final series over the Louisiana IceGators, four games to two. Derksen joins right winger Kevin Malcolm and center Tyler Rennette as the first three players on Coach Christie's upcoming roster. Derksen is a veteran of eleven professional seasons playing in four minor-leagues including the American League (Baltimore, Rochester, and Adirondack), International Hockey League (Milwaukee, Minnesota and Fort Wayne), United Hockey League (Madison) and the East Coast Hockey League (Hampton Roads, Richmond and Peoria).
Derksen spent his last two seasons in Germany playing in the German Elite League for the Iserlohn Roosters and then last year playing for the Bad Tolz Lions. He played in 42 games last season posting a GAA of 2.60 and a .910 save percentage. A third-round pick of the Washington Caps in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Derksen has 180 career wins in the pros.
Earlier this month Coach Jason Christie signed center Tyler Rennette. Rennette, 23, was a second-round pick by the Blues in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, and he's played 88 games at the next level, with AHL Worcester, in the past three seasons. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Rennette is a terrific offensive player. Last season he scored 23 goals and 22 assists in 62 games for Peoria.
The Rivermen also have signed right wing Kevin Malcolm, who played four years in the OHL for Sarnia, Kingston and Ottawa (44 goals, 44 assists, 504 penalty minutes in 228 career games), and is said to play like ex-Rivermen center Jason Deleurme.
American Hockey League Stories from July 12, 2002
- AHL honors league executives - AHL
- AHL announces format for Calder Cup 2003 Playoffs - AHL
- Rivermen Sign Three Players - Peoria Rivermen
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