Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jason Christie of the Peoria Rivermen of the ECHL announced last Friday that All-Star second-year forward Jason Notermann and rookie forward Travis Rycroft have been signed for the 2004-2005 season. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.
With six players (Captain Trevor Baker, Team MVP Tyler Rennette, Marty Johnston, Scott Turner, Joe Pereira and Ken Goetz) from last year’s campaign re-signed, Notermann and Rycroft mark the first new additions to the 2004-2005 Rivermen roster.
Notermann – a 5-foot-10, 180-pound native of Rochester, Minnesota – posted 54 points (25g 29a) and 73 penalty minutes (PIM) in 68 games with the Johnstown Chiefs during his rookie campaign last season, ranking third on the team in goals (tied) and points. The 25-year-old – who represented Johnstown in the 2004 Par-A-Dice ECHL All-Star Game in Peoria, Ill. on January 21 and scored a goal in a 7-6 Eastern Conference victory – ranked 11th among ECHL rookies in points during 2003-2004. He also enjoyed a one-game call-up to the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Binghamton Senators.
Notermann collected 103 points (40g, 63a) in 164 career games over a four-year career (1999-2003) with the NCAA Division I North Dakota Fighting Sioux (UND) of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). He posted single-season collegiate career bests in goals (15), assists (22) and points (37) during his senior year (2002-2003). He also received the Cliff Purpur Award (player who demonstrates hard work, determination and creativity on the ice), the Archie Krum Award (player who demonstrates leadership, high academic standards and athletic excellence) and the UND Sioux Service Award (for outstanding community service) following his senior season. Notermann was a member of the 2000 NCAA Division I National Championship Team.
Rycroft – a 6-foot, 195-pound native of Penticton, British Columbia – registered 19 points (7g, 12a) in 90 collegiate career games over four seasons (2000-2004) at NCAA Division I Wayne State University of College Hockey America (CHA). As a senior last year, the 23-year-old recorded single-season collegiate career bests in games played (T-33), goals (5), assists (6), points (11) and PIM (61).
Rycroft’s brother, Mark, played at NCAA Division I University of Denver (1997-2000) before signing with the NHL’s St. Louis Blues, for whom he tallied 21 points (9g, 12a) and collected 32 PIM in 71 games in 2003-2004. Their father, Al, played for the World Hockey Association’s (WHA) Cleveland Crusaders in 1972-73 as part of a five-year professional hockey career.
The Peoria Rivermen are a proud affiliate of the NHL’s St. Louis Blues and a member of the ECHL – America’s Premier “AA” Hockey League. The Rivermen open their ninth season in the 28-team league on Friday, October 22, 2004, when they host the archrival Dayton Bombers at Carver Arena. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Season ticket packages for 2004-2005 are available by calling the Rivermen at 309.676.1040.
Notermann, Jason (NOH-ter-minn)
Position: Forward Shoots: Left Birth Date: 12/02/78
Height: 5’10” Weight: 180 Birthplace: Rochester, Minn.
Playoffs
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1997-98 Green Bay Gamblers USHL 45 9 14 23 90 4 1 0 1 23
1998-99 Green Bay Gamblers USHL 53 30 21 51 89 6 2 1 3 6
1999-00 Univ. of North Dakota (WCHA) NCAA 39 7 9 16 33
2000-01 Univ. of North Dakota (WCHA) NCAA 45 11 17 28 45
2001-02 Univ. of North Dakota (WCHA) NCAA 37 7 15 22 26
2002-03 Univ. of North Dakota (WCHA) NCAA 43 15 22 37 28
2003-04 Johnstown Chiefs ECHL 68 25 29 54 73 1 0 0 0 0
2003-04 Binghamton Senators AHL 1 0 0 0 0
Pro Totals 69 25 29 54 73 1 0 0 0 0
Rycroft, Travis
Position: Forward Shoots: Right Birth Date: 08/09/80
Height: 6’0” Weight: 195 Birthplace: Penticton, BC
Playoffs
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2000-01 Wayne State University (CHA) NCAA 33 1 4 5 12
2001-02 Wayne State University (CHA) NCAA 12 1 0 1 2
2002-03 Wayne State University (CHA) NCAA 12 0 2 2 4
2003-04 Wayne State University (CHA) NCAA 33 5 6 11 61
