ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, July 29, 1996 TAG: 9607290097
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-7 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: ECHL NOTES
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
Two good ol' American principles - democracy and capitalism - may cause the Roanoke Express to lose two of its best players.
Center Ilya Dubkov, the all-time leading scorer in the three-year history of the East Coast Hockey League franchise, has decided to accept an offer to play in his homeland for the prestigious Russian Red Army team and popular goalie Daniel Berthiaume may be too pricey for the Express' budget.
The Express expected to have both veteran players for the upcoming season. Dubkov is definitely gone. Berthiaume probably will be gone unless the Express can find a way to meet his salary desires.
``I would say [Berthiaume] won't be back in Roanoke,'' said Express coach Frank Anzalone.
The ECHL salary cap limits teams to an average weekly salary of $375 per player. Marquee players certainly make more than that, usually because their team's affiliate in another league will help pay part of the salaries. The money an affiliate pays does not count toward the ECHL cap.
The Express does not have an affiliate that can help pay salaries, although Anzalone said the team will announce in August that it has secured affiliations with one club, possibly two, from an upper league.
Sources say Berthiaume may demand as much as $1,000 per week from an ECHL team. Unless the Express has an affiliate that can help pay salaries and keep its average per-player salary at $375, it probably will lose its star goalie. It may be forced to trade him before losing him to another league.
``We have to wait, but Daniel doesn't want to wait,'' said Anzalone. ``He's a good enough player to be able to demand that. We're just unable to put those dollars on paper legally. We have some fiscal concerns.''
Dubkov, one of the first players signed by the Express when it was an expansion franchise in 1993, indicated last season he wanted to continue to play in the United States, but the chance to join the Red Army squad was too good to refuse. Anzalone said the re-election of Russian president Boris Yeltsin also allayed Dubkov's fears about the progress of democracy in Russia.
``The country has moved toward democracy,'' said Anzalone. ``That factored into his decision.''
Anzalone believes Dubkov's development as an all-around player with the Express earned him the opportunity to play for the Red Army, for whom he played briefly before coming to the United States.
``Apparently, we're getting some good publicity in the Moscow papers,'' said Anzalone, ``even though none of us can read it.''
Anzalone said that the team so far has tendered contracts to veteran wing Jeff Jablonski and defensemen Michael Smith, Tim Hanley and Duane Harmer.
SAY GOODBYE: Several other Express veterans are moving on to the ``real world,'' including a few guys who have been with the team for more than one season.
As expected, forward Craig Herr, who spent one season in Roanoke, has retired from hockey and will go to work in Alabama. Chris Potter, who played defense for two years before becoming a quality wing last season, has taken a graduate assistant coaching job at his alma mater, Connecticut. Defenseman Dan Murphy also has decided to retire.
It is still unclear whether or not Jeff Jestadt, the Express' all-time leading goal-scorer, or Dave Stewart, the team's captain, will return.
Center Karry Biette has decided to play in England next season.
AROUND THE ECHL: When the ECHL decided to change the name of the Riley Cup, which goes to the playoff champion, to the Kelly Cup, which will be named for former ECHL commissioner Pat Kelly, it got a thumbs-up from none other than Jack Riley.
``I was honored to have had the ECHL championship trophy named after me for eight seasons,'' said Riley. ``I cannot think of anyone more deserving than Pat Kelly to receive this honor now, It couldn't be in better hands.''
The ECHL retired the title of commissioner by announcing Kelly will have the ceremonial title ``commissioner emeritus'' and will continue to work in hockey operations. The league office has moved to Princeton, N.J., but Kelly will continue to live in Charlotte, N.C. ...
One of the first orders of business for new Hampton Roads Admirals owners Mark Garcea and was to sign head coach John Brophy to a contract extension. with the Stingrays. ... The Baton Rouge Kingfish, formerly the Erie Panthers, chose its nickname from five finalists that also included Bayou Blizzard, Red Sticks, River Cats and Meaux Jeaux.
ICE CHIPS: Although the Express has not released its complete 1996-97 schedule, it will begin the season at Knoxville on Oct. 17. The first home game will be the next night against Huntington.
Training camp will be held at the Roanoke Civic Center beginning Oct.6. Possible home exhibition dates are Oct.9 and Oct.12. ...
Former Express sniper Tony Szabo scored six goals in the Roller Hockey International All-Star Game last month in a losing effort for the East squad.
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