New York Riptide Sign Dereck Downs To Two-Year Contract

Uniondale, NY (August 2, 2021) – The New York Riptide announced today that forward Dereck Downs has been signed to a two-year contract, the team announced today. The deal is pending league approval.

Per team policy, no terms were released.

Traded to the Riptide last July from the Calgary Roughnecks, Downs saw action in six games for Calgary last season after being traded from the New England Black Wolves last January. With the Roughnecks he had 13 points on three goals and 10 assists while scooping up 11 lose balls. Prior to the trade, Downs had one goal, one assist and five loose balls in one game for the Black Wolves.

“Dereck is a power forward that thrives at getting to the dirty areas on offense,” Riptide General Manager Jim Veltman said. “Fans will come to enjoy his ‘nose for the net’ play with his fancy stick work. We are excited to see what he will contribute toward the success of our team.”

Downs, selected 59th overall by the Black Wolves in the 2018 NLL Entry Draft, had 23 points on 16 goals and seven assists in 15 games as a rookie during the 2018-19 season.

The Riptide will return to Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum for the franchise’s second season this December. Fans have a chance to be one of the first to own a player tee of 2020 first overall pick Jeff Teat! For a limited time, place a $50 deposit per seat on a Season Ticket Membership and receive a free Jeff Teat player t-shirt. While supplies last. Head to newyorkriptide.com/seasonmemberships or on social media at @NewYorkRiptide for details.