Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 14, 1992 TAG: 9202140020
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
JAMES SAVES REBELS' ECHL PLAYOFF HOPES
Mostly because of their masked man, the Roanoke Valley Rebels still are entertaining thoughts of pulling one of the biggest capers in East Coast Hockey League history.If the Rebels are to steal the 1991-92 ECHL championship, the ringleader figures to be goaltender Mike James.
"The way Mike James has been playing lately, I believe he can take us a long way," coach Roy Sommer said. "The guy has been coming up with all the big saves for us."
James' biggest save has been the Rebels' playoff chances. Roanoke Valley, which a month ago appeared to be playing itself into an early vacation, has exhibited some spark as the 64-game regular season winds down to its final five weeks.
One of the biggest factors behind the Rebels' rejuvenation has been the stellar play of James, who at age 24 is playing his first season of minor-league hockey.
"I'm pretty happy with the way things have gone, especially lately," James said. "It took me a while to get used to things, to get used to the league and to get used to the style of play. Hey, I might be old, but I'm still just a rookie."
And glad to have a job. While James hasn't needed his degree in economics from Western Ontario College to budget his $275-a-week ECHL paycheck, the 5-foot-10, 188-pound goaltender says life in the low minors has been a blast.
"While I could have dispersed these funds with a high-school education, this sure beats the hell out of working," James said. "Hey, I'm not here to make money. I'm here to better my skills and get out of this league if I can.
"If I weren't here, I'd be back in Ontario working at a desk. I deferred a job this summer with a marketing firm to play hockey. I just turned 24. I don't have to start my other life until I want to."
James' carefree current life includes one serious stipulation - stop the puck. After a slow start, James has turned into the performer that Sommer envisioned when the NHL's Calgary Flames referred the goalie to the Rebels' preseason camp in October.
"I saw Mike in Calgary's camp and he played all right," Sommer said. "I called Glenn Hall [a former NHL star who is Calgary's goalie scout] and he said the kid's a good one.
"But he got hurt in camp, was out for a couple weeks, and I never really knew what he could do. Now, he's shown me. I think he's as good, if not better than most goalies in the league."
In a wide-open offensive league that tends to inflate goaltender's numbers, James' 4.23 goals-against average and 88.4 save percentage are more than respectable. James' won-lost record of 12-16-1 is not bad when one considers the Rebels are 18-26-3. He owns two of the ECHL's 11 shutouts in 359 games played going into tonight's action, which includes the Rebels' game against the Monarchs at Greensboro, N.C.
"Mike has real good reflexes and he challenges well," Sommer said. "He stacks his pads better than any goalie I've ever seen. The guy has kept us in a lot of games almost single-handedly."
Assuredly, James can't complain about not getting work. In the past 3 1/2 months, he has seen more rubber than a tire-factory worker.
"I think I've started 19 games in a row now," said James, who, on the average, sees 35-37 shots a game.
"I don't mind it, though. Hey, I like the work. Guys like [Mark] Bernard in Hampton Roads and other defensive teams have to play two games to get as much work as I do in one. I think I'll be a better goalie for it, though."
Sommer said he thinks the doors to hockey's higher levels won't close on James any time soon.
"I believe he has a future in this game," Sommer said. "I think he's turned himself into a prospect by what he's done down here. I know there have been a lot of coaches in this league who have been telling me how well the guy has been playing for us."
The butterfly-style goalie said his NHL dreams have not fluttered away yet.
"I just want to keep playing well and see where the cards fall," James said. "There's a lot of good goalies around and it's a numbers game. I hope to go somewhere. Everybody does. I'm not going to hold my breath. Whatever happens will happen, I guess.
"I think everybody entertains the thought in the back of their minds. You wouldn't be playing in a pro league if you weren't still chasing a bit of a dream."
Right now, the dream rides in the ECHL and Vinton, instead of the NHL and Calgary.
"This club has been playing some good hockey lately," James said. "Some crazy things can happen, especially in this league. Nothing's impossible. Hey, we could still steal this thing yet."