Heavyweight Champion

>Three times he has led an entire league in penalty minutes. For six straight seasons, he’s spent more time in on-ice incarceration than any of his teammates, and he’s averaged more than 5.5 minutes in the sin bin per game during his eight-year career.

> Signed by the Red Wings in mid-August and expected to play in Grand Rapids, Peter Vandermeer gives the Griffins an enforcer with the type of credentials that have rarely been seen on a team that usually has ranked among the AHL’s most squeaky clean.

> As a member of the Philadelphia Phantoms the last three seasons, Vandermeer paced the AHL with 398 PIM in 2003-04 and finished second with 335 PIM in 2002-03. The 6-foot, 210-pound left wing has also topped the penalty charts of two other leagues, posting 457 PIM with ECHL Richmond in 1999-00 and 390 PIM with UHL Binghamton in 1998-99.>

>Although Vandermeer’s policing skills are unsurpassed, this pesky pugilist packs a scoring punch as well. Prior to joining the Phantoms, Vandermeer displayed impressive offensive skills during the 2000-01 AHL campaign with Providence , contributing 19 goals and 37 points. He led the Bruins and tied for fifth in the league with 14 power play goals, while his 0.192 shooting percentage also placed fifth on the circuit.

> Vandermeer enjoyed his most prolific season with Richmond in 1999-00, tallying career highs with 31 goals, 25 assists and 56 points. He ranked third on the club in goals and fourth in overall scoring, and his team-high 15 power play goals tied for fourth in the league.

> An immoveable object in front of the opponent’s net during power plays, Vandermeer promises to be fun to watch, as AHL fans along the East Coast can surely attest to.