Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 17, 1994                   TAG: 9408170072
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

EXPRESS' SZABO YIELDS TO SCOTTISH TEAM'S CALL

Tony Szabo apparently has fired his final slap shot at the Roanoke Civic Center.

Szabo, the deft-shooting right wing who led the Roanoke Express in scoring last season, has signed a contract to play in Scotland during the 1994-95 hockey season.

``We did everything we could to keep him,'' said Pierre Paiement, the Express' general manager. ``But evidently the team in Scotland gave him an offer he couldn't refuse.''

One source said Szabo's deal included a $30,000 yearly salary, plus free housing. The average ECHL salary is $300 per week, paid during the season only.

``With Tony being married and having a young child, he has to look at finances more than, say, a single player might have to,'' Paiement said.

Szabo's 96 points ranked seventh in the East Coast Hockey League and led the first-year Express. His 42 goals were second on the club, one behind left wing Jeff Jestadt. His 54 assists ranked second to the 58 by one of his linemates, center Pat Ferschweiler.

The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Hungarian was one of the club's most popular players.

``We hate to lose Tony Szabo,'' Paiement said. ``I just loved watching that guy play.''

ICE CHIPS: Paiement said goaltender Paul Cohen, who anchored the Roanoke net late last season, has signed to play in England. In February, Cohen became the first goalie in ECHL history to record back-to-back shutouts. ... Express captain Dave ``Moose'' Morissette said at his youth camp last week that if he is signed by the NHL's Edmonton Oilers in camp next month, he will stipulate in his contract he must be sent to Roanoke if shipped to the ECHL. Edmonton's ECHL farm club is in Wheeling, W.Va. ... The Express has announced a three-game home exhibition schedule: the Johnstown Chiefs on Oct.12, the Charlotte Checkers on Oct.14 and the Raleigh IceCaps on Oct.15. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children under 12.