Website big hit with fans

Published on October 8, 2005 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Richmond RiverDogs News Release


RICHMOND, VA - The Richmond RiverDogs, proud members of the United Hockey League unveiled the team's new website on Thursday and fans have raved about the site, the content and the wonderful feeling that the new RiverDogs site is now on the web. One fan, Tom Brandt, wrote a story for the Fan's Diary. The story moved General Manager/Head Coach Robbie Nichols so much that the team had to share it to everyone who hasn't read the story. Here is Tom's story:

October 7, 2005 - After a frustrating year with no NHL and my beloved RiverDogs stumbling through a season best left in the mirrors, I'd almost forgotten how good hockey can be. Heck, it's been a while since I've seen any. (GOOD hockey, that is!!) Heck, if it wasn't for the satisfaction of enjoying our kids playing in the youth leagues, I'd just as soon forget about 2004 completely... hockey-wise, anyway.

Maybe things are taking a turn for the better though. The seasons are changing, and that god-awful Richmond "what did I do to deserve this" summer heat is almost all gone. The NHL's long winter of discontent is finally just an unfortunate memory. The RiverDogs members are one by one arriving in town, and training camp is just days away. There's a renewed sense of hockey optimism (hocktimism?) for this Richmonder.

I try to save a couple of days of vacation for the autumn and holiday season each year-I really do. Yep, I had it ALL planned out just right, too. A day saved for yard work, a day saved for shopping with the wife, maybe a "bonus" (read: sick) day to be lazy and go fishing (yeah right). Things just may be a little different this time around.

Somehow I feel like I need to make up for lost hockey time. I had heard through the grapevine that some of the ‘Dogs would be skating around, and I got the urge to head out to Skate Nation and check ‘em out. So I groveled with the boss and took off a few hours from work on short notice, and away to the west end I went.

I arrived pretty early... the parking lot was nearly empty, except for me & my stepson Jonathan-who pulled up at the same time I did. We stood outside our cars checking out the construction war-zone that used to be Skate Nation's sidewalk. After a few minutes, cars began rolling in one by one. "Hey, that's Brian Goudie" I told Jonathan as a pickup rolled into a parking space. "He drives a FORD??" Jonathan chirped, as if it's a slight on a guy's manhood to drive a Ford or something. (It's an ongoing family struggle... I can't even talk about it.) Then up drove a Jeep with two more recognizable faces; both Vandermeers for sure. What a welcome sight all these guys are.

Just when we were about ready to go inside, up rolled a couple of more trucks. Out of the first one emerges a guy we didn't recognize, six feet or a little more maybe, carved out of stone with huge shoulders and arms like train pistons. "Whoa... that dude is BIG!!" Jonathan said with a grin.

Then out of the OTHER truck stepped a truly huge man... at 6'5", 300-lbs, easily the biggest hockey player I've ever seen. "Grrrreat Mother of PEARL!! That guy is as big as a STATUE!!" I said under my breath. We could hardly keep from gawking.

The two of them started talking while gathering their equipment, and I cautiously took a step toward them (being careful not to look at them the wrong way), spoke a hello to them and extended a handshake to the ‘smaller' one. "Kris Waltze!" he said with a smile as we introduced ourselves. I turned to the other and took a chance. "And you must be Mike Wolf" I said to him... "Yes SIR", he replied. "Sir? He called ‘me' SIR??" I mused to myself. I mean, this guy could hammer me into the pavement like a nail!! We shook hands and I offered them both a hearty welcome to Richmond, and I meant it, too. "Man oh man, looks like things are gonna be a little different this year" I said to Jonathan as we turned to walk inside.

A few guys were skating around and loosening up; some we recognized and some we didn't. Jonathan, who plays wing on the 18a Jr. RiverDogs, jumped on the opportunity to lace ‘em up and skate around with a few of his local heroes for a little while. He enjoyed the skate and shoot around with Bill Vandermeer for a little while. We were both impressed at how quickly the puck jumped off of Bill V's stick. Forehand, backhand-it didn't matter. I mean QUICK! In came a guy wearing a Rolling Stones t-shirt. "You going to the concert in C-ville tonight?" I asked him. "Sure enough!!" he said with a grin. I introduced myself. "Ryan Van Buskirk" he replied. Geez, I knew that..... didn't I?

Coach Nichols came in the rink sporting a coat and tie as a crew was setting up equipment to shoot a commercial. Shortly thereafter, the pucks stopped flying and the lights were shut down as the ice was turned into a makeshift stage. They spent a few minutes arranging the lights and the players around Nichols, and soon he began belting out the following lines, loud enough that everyone could hear each time he repeated it:

"HI!! I'M COACH NICHOLS, AND I WANT YOUR FAMILY..." (points at camera) "TO COME SEE MY FAMILY..." (points at the smiling ‘Dogs) "FOR SOME INEXPENSIVE HOCKEY ENTERTAINMENT!!"

Everybody there seemed to get a kick out of the drummed-up family scene with all his "pups". Those throughout the rink could hear him clearly, and it was obvious to me after just a couple of takes that this "Big Dog" knows how to BARK!! (The refs may want to take note of that.)

Unfortunately, I quickly ran out of time and had to return to work. It was fun putting faces with some of the names, watching a little skate-around and talking to some of the guys. If I can figure out a way to finagle another vacation day out of the "master plan", maybe I'll slip out here once training camp starts up next week.

"Honey, ummm, uhhh-about that Christmas shopping day we were gonna take in December......"

Just as a reminder, tickets are now on sale for the two Pre-Season games against the Roanoke Valley Vipers on Friday October 14, 2005 and October 15, 2005. Both games are at SkateNation Plus on West Broad Street with faceoff at 7:35 pm. Tickets are only $11 and you can order your tickets at the RiverDogs office, 601 E. Leigh Street, Richmond, or by calling (804) 225-PUCK (7825).

The Richmond RiverDogs home opener is Friday, October 21, 2005 when the team plays host to the Adirondack Frostbite, 7:30 pm at the Richmond Coliseum. Tickets are now available at the Coliseum Box office or by contacting Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from October 8, 2005


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