RENEGADES NOTES: Coyle is released, as Sicard signs deal

Coyle is released, as Sicard signs deal

With the release of forward Josh Coyle on Monday, Richmond coach Brian Goudie hopes he has the team that will finish the 2008-09 season.

Coyle was waived to make room for forward Dennis Sicard, who was signed to a regular contract after playing under a three-game tryout on the weekend. Coyle, who had five goals and five assists in 22 games, is going to play in Brooklyn (Eastern Pro Hockey League), according to Goudie.

"It just comes down to numbers [with Coyle]," Goudie said. "It's not that he can't play in this league. Right now, Sicard is more of a fit here for us. We need an energy-type guy.

"Right now, this is the team I'm going to go with. Until they show me differently, that they can't get the job done, I'd like to go with these guys. But guys have to perform every night and be consistent. That's the bottom line. Give ourselves a chance to win every night."

Sicard had a goal and two assists (plus one fight) in three games in his return to the club after spending the first half of the season with Tulsa (Central Hockey League).

'Numbers game' sent Needham to FireAntz

All Goudie would say yesterday about the trade of forward Brett Needham to Fayetteville after Thursday's game against the FireAntz was that it was a "numbers game."

Needham originally was dealt for cash and the rights to forward Mike Tuomi, who has gone to play in Europe. Instead, the Renegades wound up with future considerations (and cash) for Needham.

In his first game with Fayetteville, a 4-3 victory over Columbus on Friday, Needham had an assist and got into a fight.

"Not bad, eh?" said Needham, who was back in Richmond on Saturday so he could take his grandmother to the airport after her weekend visit here to see him play.

Needham, the last of the original Renegades (in their second reincarnation), won't return to the Coliseum to play against his former teammates until March 13. He'll face them Sunday in Fayetteville.

Goalie is 'day to day'

Goaltender Ryan Scott watched practice from the stands yesterday, and he's listed as "day to day" by Goudie with an undisclosed injury.

"I gave him a couple of days off and we'll see what happens," said Goudie, who is hoping to have Scott back for Friday's test at first-place Knoxville.

Elsewhere . . .