THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 11, 1994 TAG: 9410110401
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
Shawn Wheeler will play hockey frequently at Scope this season, though not for the Hampton Roads Admirals.
Wheeler, who played for Hampton Roads last season, will be a player-coach for Charlotte this season. And the Checkers, expected to be the Admirals' top competitor in the Eastern Division race, come to Norfolk six times.
Columbus had previously announced Wheeler would be a player-coach for the Chill. However, he left there after 11 days because of a contract dispute.
Wheeler was one the most unpopular visitors to Scope in his days as a Greensboro Monarch. Last season, after putting on a Admirals' jersey, he was a fan favorite. One of a handful of blacks playing professional hockey, Wheeler scored 74 points in 47 games for Hampton Roads. He worked briefly with the Admirals' front office this past summer.
``Shawn wants to become a coach,'' Admirals president Blake Cullen said. ``He wanted to be a player-coach here.''
But ECHL rules prohibit a team from having both an assistant coach and a player-coach. Al MacIsaac is the Admirals' assistant coach.
``Shawn worked with us some over the summer. He made some (advertising) calls for us. We just didn't have room for another coach,'' Cullen said.
``He's a high-class guy and a good player. We wish him well.''
A STITCH IN TIME: It took 68 stitches to close cuts rookie Steve Anderson received as a result of two fights with rookie Martin Laitre on the first day of preaseason practice Sunday.
The first fight, in the morning practice, resulted in four cuts and 18 stitches. After they squared off again that afternoon, a plastic surgeon needed 50 stitches to repair the damage.
Anderson missed practice Monday, but will return today with a mask.
Ironically, Anderson and Laitre will play together on the third line Thursday in the Admirals' exhibition opener against Johnstown at Scope.
Admirals' coach John Brophy has made it clear he won't tolerate a rematch today.
``We don't want a bunch of fights in practice,'' he said. ``We've got to play a couple of exhibition games here. We'll save it all for them if somebody has to fight.''
GAGNON IN ROANOKE: Dave Gagnon, who helped lead the Admirals to their first ECHL title, has signed with the Roanoke Express.
Gagnon was in goal for the Admirals just 21 games in 1991, but 11 came in the playoffs. Gagnon was 10-1 in the playoffs and shared most valuable player honors with Dave Flanagan.
Gagnon was also MVP in the playoffs for Toledo last season, when the Storm won the Jack Riley Cup.
``Dave Gagnon, pure and simple, is a stud,'' Express coach Frank Anzalone said.
``He's led two ECHL teams to championships and was on Fort Wayne's IHL championship team a couple of years ago. He knows what it takes to win.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Shawn Wheeler hoped to be a player-coach here, but ended up in
Charlotte.
by CNB