The Richmond Renegades got a double dose of good news Wednesday. Defenseman Dan Vandermeer has been cleared to play for the first time since Oct. 31 and feisty forward Dennis Sicard is returning to Richmond.
    Vandermeer recently returned to the active roster after being on injured reserve. He suffered a broken bone in his right forearm in a postgame fight against Knoxville on Halloween Night and has been out of action since then. He returned to practice last week but didn’t receive clearance to play from Dr. Jody Smith until Wednesday. Vandermeer, who was the defenseman of the year in the Southern Professional Hockey League last season, had played in only three games,  recording four goals and two assists.
    In another announcement, President and General Manager Allan B. Harvie Jr., said Sicard is coming back. Sicard, who spent most of last season with the Renegades, had been with Tulsa (Central Hockey League) this season, registering one goal and one assist in 27 games. He also had 79 penalty minutes. In 38 games for Richmond last season, Sicard scored six goals and added seven assists while accumulating 210 PIM. In the playoffs, he led the team with three goals in two games.
    “This is like Christmas all over again but better,“ Harvie said. “Dan has been chomping at the bit to get back on the ice with the team. I know everybody has been looking forward to his return.“
    Both Vandermeer and Sicard are expected to be on the bench for Thursday night’s game against Fayetteville at the Coliseum. Faceoff is set for 7:35 p.m. The Renegades will need to make a roster move to make room for Sicard.—- John Packett

Vandermeer, Sicard return to Coliseum ice