The puck stops here.
Nobody in the Renegades' history has done it better than Maxime Gingras, and he's coming back to Richmond.
The smallish goaltender, who stood so tall for the 1998-99 edition that was a game away from winning the East Coast Hockey League championship, has signed for the 2000-01 season. He will be property of the Renegades but first will go to training camp with the American Hockey League's Kentucky Thoroughblades coached by former Renegades boss Roy Sommer.
"Max turns our last big question mark into a major strength," said Renegades CEO Bill Stewart. "We now have all the ingredients for a serious contender."
From Lorrettville, Quebec, Gingras was more than anyone could have expected as a 20-year-old rookie. He set ECHL records for goals-against average (2.26) and shutouts (seven). He started the league all-star game and set eight club records. He added a league-record five playoff shutouts and wound up being named ECHL goalie and rookie of the year.
Last year, Gingras played with four teams after signing with the AHL's Providence Bruins. He sat more than he played for the Bruins, appearing in 15 games (3-9-1, 3.08 gaa). He was 5-1-1 (2.22) in seven regular-season games for the Renegades. He rejoined them for the playoffs and allowed only two even-strength goals in three games, but Richmond was swept in the first round by Trenton.
The Renegades previously signed Dennis Bassett, who appeared in 21 games for them last year (10-5-1, 3.12). They also will get a goalie from the Washington Capitals as part of their new working agreement.
(c) Richmond Times Dispatch 2000