Vandermeer Nets Key Role with Rocky Mountain Rage
Published on July 19, 2006 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Rocky Mountain Rage News Release
Broomfield, Colo. - The Rocky Mountain Rage Hockey Club today announced the signing of two-way defenseman Dan Vandermeer for the inaugural 2006-07 season. Vandermeer, a Caroline, Alberta native, will serve as player/assistant coach for the team. He enters his 10th professional season and his first season in the Central Hockey League.
"Vandermeer is going to be a team leader for us on and off the ice," said Tracy Egeland, head coach. "He comes from a hockey family and his career speaks for itself. He is going to be someone to build our defense around. He is solid on the power-play and he is going to play in every situation thrown at him."
Vandermeer played last season for the Richmond Riverdogs of the United Hockey League (UHL). As a blueliner, he racked in 90 points on 15 goals and 75 assists in all 76 games of the season. He was named the 2005-06 UHL Best Defenseman, as selected by league head coaches, general managers and members of the media.
Vandermeer led all UHL defensemen with in points and he tied for sixth overall in league scoring. His 75 assists ranked second. He registered a +14 plus/minus rating and 85 penalty minutes. Among league defensemen, he ranked first in assists (75), tied for second in goals (15), tied for second in game-winning goals (3), and third in shots on goal (256). Vandermeer had 23 multi-point games this past season and tallied four points in a game on two occasions. He tied a league season high when he registered a plus-6 rating in the final game of the regular season. He was also selected to the starting lineup at the 2006 UHL All-Star Classic in January.
He previously played for the Idaho Steelheads from the ECHL, where he earned 42 points in 68 games during the 2004-05 season. Vandermeer was named the Reebok Hockey ECHL Plus Performer of the Month (March). He helped Idaho win the Kelly Cup in 2004, scoring 11 points (4g-7a) in 18 games, and he helped Richmond reach the Kelly Cup Finals in 1999.
Vandermeer first started playing in the ECHL during the 1998-99 season. In seven ECHL seasons he has 178 points (41g-137a) and 898 penalty minutes in 425 regular season games. He has also played in the American Hockey League, appearing in one game with Kentucky and one game with Cincinnati. He began his professional career in 1997 playing two seasons for Spokane in the Western Hockey League.
Vandermeer comes from a long-time hockey family. His brothers, Bill, Jim, Joe, Pete and Ted all play in professional leagues. His brother Jim currently plays in the NHL as a defenseman for the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Rage is slated to begin its inaugural season this October on the road. The Rage will begin play at home this November at the new, state-of-the-art Broomfield Event Center. The Rocky Mountain Rage is one of two expansion teams in the Central Hockey League's 17-team field. The Rage will join the Colorado Eagles, Oklahoma City Blazers and Wichita Thunder in the Northwest Division.
Season Tickets are available now for the 2006-07 seasons by calling 303-439-RAGE. For more information, visit www.RockyMountainRage.com.
Central Hockey League Stories from July 19, 2006
- RiverKings make winger Sessa third veteran - Mississippi RiverKings
- Prosofsky Returns to Blazers - Oklahoma City Blazers
- SteelHounds Sign Two Players - Youngstown SteelHounds
- Vandermeer Nets Key Role with Rocky Mountain Rage - Rocky Mountain Rage
- Thunder re-signs key defenseman - Wichita Thunder
- Sundogs announce acquisition of newest member: Burnie the Sundog - Arizona Sundogs
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.
