Former Viper Goaltender Olthuis Returned To RiverHawks:

Former Vernon Vipers goaltender, Jon Olthuis has been returned to the SPHL's Augusta RiverHawks after just signing with the CHL's Dayton Gems. Olthuis signed with the Gems back on January, 13th 2011 but has recently been returned to Augusta on February 1st 2011. Olthuis had previously signed with Dayton this past summer but was released on October, 12th 2010 prior to the regular season. Olthuis then signed with the SPHL's Augusta RiverHawks & was currently playing in Augusta before signing with Dayton. Olthuis played two seasons in Vernon (2004-06) before playing four years at University of Alaska-Anchorage.

This is posted on the Riverhawks website:

Olthuis Returned to RiverHawks

Feb 1, 2011

Augusta, GA - The Augusta RiverHawks have announced that goaltender Jon Olthuis was returned to the team by the Dayton Gems of the Central Hockey League. To create room on the roster the RiverHawks have placed goaltender Jordan McLaughlin on waivers.

Olthuis appeared in one game with the Gems during his call-up, making 45 saves in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Evansville Ice Men. Olthuis played in 20 games for the RiverHawks this season posting an 11-8-1 record with a goals against average of 2.83 and a save percentage of .911.

Despite missing nearly a month of action for the RiverHawks, Olthuis' 11 wins has him tied for second in wins amongst goaltenders in the Southern Professional Hockey League. The Neerlandia, Alberta native will be backed up by Adam Avramenko who assumed starting duties when Olthuis was recalled by the Gems. In seven starts with the RiverHawks Avramenko has five wins, a goals against average of 3.46 and a save percentage of .881.