Harvie: Nothing has changed regarding Renegades’ status

'Nothing's changed' on Renegades' status

The Richmond Renegades' season has been over since Saturday's 4-3 overtime victory against Knoxville at the Coliseum and "nothing has changed" regarding their future in the Southern Professional Hockey League.

That's what Allan B. Harvie Jr., president and general manager, said yesterday about whether the team will be asking the league permission to suspend operations for the 2009-10 season.

Harvie has meetings scheduled with some government officials this week about possible financial assistance and indicated he wouldn't have anything more to say about the situation until next week.

"All we've been doing is getting our players out of town, shutting down their apartments, getting everything we have to get done for the league after the season ends," Harvie said. "Other than that, absolutely nothing has happened between Saturday night and now."

Another SPHL team, Twin City, announced yesterday that it is leaving Winston-Salem, N.C., after two years and is seeking another home. If it can't find one, owner Bob Kersner said he will suspend operations for next season.

Inconsistency hurt club

Despite winning a franchise-record 30 games, the Renegades failed to make the playoffs for the first time in team's three-year history. Inconsistency was the biggest reason the record wasn't any better, coach Brian Goudie said.

"From goaltending to defensive breakdowns to scoring goals," said Goudie. "One night they'd look like a first-place team and the next night, we'd play down to the other team's level.

"We had too many mental lapses. Not just young guys, but veteran guys, too. Losing [goalie Ryan] Senft early in the season, then going through a lot of goalies. Losing [Dan] Vandermeer three games into the season. You can't replace those guys. It's been a real roller-coaster ride."

Vandermeer, McLaughlin honored

The Renegades didn't make the playoffs, but they supplied several players to the SPHL's all-star teams for 2008-09.

Vandermeer was one of the defensemen chosen for the first team by the league's coaches, while left wing Beau McLaughlin made the second team. Joining Vandermeer on the first team were defenseman Kevin Harris (Knoxville), forwards Travis Kauffeldt (Huntsville), Kevin Swider (Knoxville) and Donald Melnyk (Twin City) and goaltender Andrew Gallant (Knoxville).

Richmond's Ryan Busby (forward) and Ryan Scott (goaltender ) were selected for the all-rookie squad. Kauffeldt was named MVP, Michael Richard of Twin City was rookie of the year, Harris took home defenseman of the year honors and Knoxville's Scott Hillman was coach of the year.

Busby was also voted by Richmond fans as their favorite player, and he was presented the Terry O'Neil Award prior to Saturday's game.

--John Packett