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SCOTT REINARDY sreinardy@leader.net
Monday, February 07, 2000 Page: 5B
The most memorable thing about Peter Vandermeer’s short stay with the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins is that it was over almost before it began.
After just two games, the Penguins returned Vandermeer to his East Coast
Hockey League team, the Richmond, Va. Renegades on Sunday.
The Penguins signed Vandermeer to a 25-game contract Tuesday. The left wing
played in both weekend games against Hershey, logging minimal time without a
point or penalty.
That was somewhat surprising when you consider he leads the ECHL with 327
penalty min utes, 20 of which were major penalties, mostly for fighting.
Coach Glenn Patrick admitted he had not seen Vandermeer play prior to
coming to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, but “I never look for a hired gun. I look
for guys who play hard, and if he has to back it up with fighting, that’s
fine.”
Vandermeer played only a handful of shifts without incident in the
home-and-home series with Hershey. The Penguins lost both games.
“I just want to come in and bring what I do to the table,” Vandermeer
said last week.
“Do what I do best and not try to change anything. Of course, the players
here have a lot more skill. Hopefully, I’ll be able to continue to develop my
game and make it as well-rounded as possible and help this team in the
process.”
In 38 games for Richmond, Vandermeer had 17 goals and 17 assists.
While with the Penguins, Vandermeer had only one shot on goal. It came in
the 5-4 loss Saturday.
The Penguins currently have 23 players on their roster, including three
goalies, eight defensemen and 12 forwards.
Defenseman John Slaney and Jean-Sebastien Aubin were assigned by Pittsburgh
just for the Hershey series and expected to return to the NHL club today.
The local Penguins’ next game is Saturday against Louisville.
Call Reinardy at 831-7342.