GLENDALE, Ariz. - Left-winger Pete Vandermeer, who hasn't scored a goal and has been in 10 fights in 21 AHL games with the San Antonio Rampage this season, has been signed to an NHL contract by the Phoenix Coyotes.
Vandermeer, 32, from Red Deer, Alta., has never played an NHL game. The next Coyotes game is Sunday against the visiting Nashville Predators.
Vandermeer has 210 penalty minutes this season and is fifth all-time in the American Hockey League with 2,374.
He has led his team in penalty minutes in seven of 11 pro seasons since leaving the Western Hockey League's Red Deer Rebels. The six-foot, 209-pound forward is the oldest of six hockey playing brothers. Jim Vandermeer is a defenceman with the Philadelphia Flyers.