Wolverine Icers Ink Pair During Early Signing Period
11/21/2001 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Richmond, a 6-1, 175-pound defenseman, is currently skating with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League, where he has tallied four goals, all on the power play, and a team-high 17 assists for 21 points. Richmond, who leads the team in scoring and ranks ninth in the USHL, is second in the league for scoring by a defenseman and leads the USHL in assists and power-play goals by a blueliner. Born on August 1, 1984, Richmond skated with Team Illinois AAA during the 2000-01 campaign and was a member of the U.S. National Select Under-18 team that competed in Fussen, Germany, last August. His father, Steve, was a defenseman for the Wolverines from 1979-82, and ranks fourth among scoring by blueliners at U-M with 40-86-126 totals.
"We're very pleased that Danny's going to be a part of our program," Berenson said. "He's going to add an offensive dimension to our blueline that we need, and his left-handed shot is definitely going to help us on the power play. He's an offensively-gifted defenseman and has great character."
Tambellini, a 5-11, 183-pound forward, is in his second season with the Chilliwack Chiefs of the British Columbia Hockey League and has helped the squad to a 19-4-2 start, tops among teams from the Mainland Division of the BCHL. Tambellini has made appearances in 23 of the Chiefs' 25 games, registering 15 goals and 26 assists for 41 points, including a team-high six power-play goals, to rank fifth on the team and 10th in the BCHL for scoring. Tambellini, born on April 13, 1984, notched 21 goals and 30 assists in 54 games with Chilliwack last season.
"Jeff will bring a lot of speed, skill and scoring to next year's lineup, and beyond that, I'm impressed with his character and desire to be the best player he can possibly be," Berenson added. "He'll be a fine addition both on and off the ice."
The Wolverines will lose four seniors after the 2001-02 campaign, including goatender Josh Blackburn (Choctaw, Okla.), forward Craig Murray (Penticton, B.C.), goaltender Kevin O'Malley (Grosse Pointe, Mich.) and defenseman Jay Vancik (Medina, Ohio).
Contact: Paul Thomas (734) 763-4423
