The Mississippi RiverKings of the Central Hockey League (CHL) have announced (June 29th, 2010) the signing of veteran defenseman and team captain Derek Landmesser to play during the 2010-11 season.  Landmesser is the first announced signing by the RiverKings during the 2010 off-season period. 

"It's nice to have our leader back," said RiverKings' Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Kevin "Killer" Kaminski.  "Derek is someone who leads by example.  He's productive offensively and has a presence on the ice in all situations; five-on-five, power play, or penalty kill."

Among Landmesser's CHL career highlights was his selection as the league's most outstanding defenseman after the 2000-01 season and a three-time selection to the all-CHL post-season team after the 2004-05, 2005-06, and 2006-07 years.  He was a member of both CHL league championship teams in 2001-02 and again in 2002-03. 

RiverKings' career records held by Landmesser include:  season points by a defenseman (81, 2005-06), season plus-minus (+59, 2000-01), career regular season games player (561), career assists (430), career penalty minutes (880), and career points by a defenseman (521).

Landmesser has led the RiverKings in assists in five of the last seven seasons and has led team blue liners in points in each of the last eight seasons. 

Last year, Landmesser led team defensemen in goals scored (11), assists (40), and points (51).  He also led the team in plus-minus (+10), power play assists (27), and game-winning goals (4).  His 51 points ranked him second in the CHL and his 40 assists put him in a first-place tie among league blue liners. 

Landmesser reached milestones during the past season, reaching 400 career CHL assists in a game November 21st against Missouri.  He became the tenth CHL player to reach that achievement.  Derek also achieved 500 career CHL points in a game January 29th against the Wichita Thunder. 

Last season, Derek was the RiverKings' representative in the CHL All-Star Game played in Laredo, his seventh All-Star appearance.  He has scored seven points (one goal, six assists) in CHL All-Star play. 

Landmesser last year was also named as a starting defenseman to the CHL All-Decade team. 

The Thunder Bay, Ontario native started his professional career in 1996 with his hometown team, the Thunder Cats, who played in the Colonial Hockey League and moved to the United Hockey League.  In addition to playing in Memphis/Mississippi, Landmesser's playing career has included stops in Manitoba (IHL), Rockford (UHL), Muskegon (UHL), along with three games in the American Hockey League with the Toronto Marlies. 

In addition to his on the ice results, Landmesser remains active in the Mid-South region in the off-season with his involvement as the director of the Jr. StreetKings in Hernando.  The youth roller hockey program, a part of Hernando Youth Sports, teaches in-line skating skills, roller hockey techniques, and provides life experiences through teamwork and sportsmanship to area youngsters in a fun setting.  More on that program may be found at www.jrstreetkings.com. 

Landmesser is looking forward to another run at a championship for the RiverKings.  "I am excited to have the opportunity to come back," Landmesser said.  "My family and I have called this area home, so we are excited for next season to start."

Landmesser's career statistics may be found on hockeydb.com.