Waltze Announces Retirement

January 20, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Richmond RiverDogs News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond RiverDogs, proud members of the United Hockey League, have announced today the retirement of Right-Winger Kris Waltze. "Waltzie", 27, plagued by a separated shoulder in mid - November, which forced him out of the lineup, will stay on with the organization as an Assistant Coach to General Manager/Head Coach Robbie S. Nichols. Waltze has been behind the bench for the past few months and on one occasion he guided the team while Nichols observed from the press box.

Waltze, a native of Two Hills, Alberta, was an eight-year veteran, played in 383 pro games and has 91 points to his credit, 48 goals and 43 assists with 1,834 penalty minutes. His best season was in 1999-2000 where he scored 12 goals, 7 assists for 19 points along with 286 penalty minutes for the San Angelo Outlaws of the Western Professional Hockey League. The RiverDogs acquired Waltze in March of 2005 as part of a multi-player deal with the Flint Generals and in his first game with the Dogs, he tallied a goal against his former team. This season, "Waltzie" appeared in 11 games, scoring 3 goals, 1 assist for 4 points and 41 penalty minutes.

"My shoulder was not healing properly, and I was talking to my family about the possibility of retiring. I have been thinking for a year now as to what I am going to do after my playing career is over. I felt that I can't be playing forever and that I need to move on when my playing days are over. With the shoulder injury not healing properly, I was presented with the offer to be the Assistant Coach and work with Robbie. I am looking forward to learning and moving on to the coaching side of the game."

RiverDogs General Manager/Head Coach Robbie S. Nichols quotes, "I think Kris has a very good knowledge of the game. I feel that Kris would make a great Assistant Coach and a fabulous coach in the future."

The RiverDogs hope to continue their three game winning streak as they travel to Roanoke for a pair against the Roanoke Valley Vipers on Friday and Saturday, January 20 & 21, 2006. The Dogs return home to the Richmond Coliseum on Sunday, January 22nd for a 4:05 pm contest against the Missouri RiverOtters. It is also Fox Post-game Skate with the RiverDogs. Fans are asked to bring their skates and join the players on the ice immediately following the RiverDogs-RiverOtters game, get pictures, autographs, meet the players and a whole lot of fun. Those without skates are invited on the ice as well.

INFORMATION, NEWS AND NOTES: Season tickets, FlexPaks, Richmond Times-Dispatch Family 4 Packs and group packages are available through the RiverDogs office. For more information call the RiverDogs at 804-225-PUCK (7825). Fans can follow the RiverDogs and be "in the know" by going to www.riverdogsuhl.com. All RiverDogs game action can be viewed on the net by accessing the B-2 Network link on www.riverdogsuhl.com. For complete game information while the RiverDogs are playing both home and away, or game information for any UHL team, log on to www.pointstreak.com and choose UHL. Pointstreak provides updated game information along with team rosters, stats, and more about the RiverDogs and all the UHL teams.



International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 20, 2006


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