Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 16, 1995 TAG: 9509170002
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Last week, the Express traded for Nashville goalie Matt DelGuidice, who played 11 games with the NHL's Boston Bruins in the early 1990s.
There was concern in Roanoke shortly after the trade that DelGuidice would not report to the Express. That concern has subsided and DelGuidice is expected to be in training camp when it opens Oct.1 in Hillsborough, N.C.
``It's become very positive ... that [DelGuidice] will probably come to Roanoke,'' Anzalone said. ``It's not sealed in stone yet, but it looks much better than it did a few days ago.''
DelGuidice's statistics have suffered in recent years, but there's reason to believe he can be a fine East Coast Hockey League goalie. Two years ago with the Raleigh IceCaps, DelGuidice posted a 2.94 goals-against average, the second-lowest GAA in ECHL history at the time. He was 18-9-4 for the Riley Cup champions.
DelGuidice, 28, who was 9-10-3 with a 4.82 GAA in 23 games with Charlotte and Nashville last year, went 2-5-1 with the Bruins from 1990-92.
``He's gone off good times in [his] statistics, but hopefully can revive himself and be an all-star goaltender in Roanoke,'' said Anzalone.
When DelGuidice reports, he'll probably find some competition for the starting job. Earlier this summer, the Express signed Mike Parsons, a goalie who has played in the American Hockey League.
``With Matt DelGuidice and Mike Parsons, we've got two experienced goaltenders that can carry a good load for us if we can get them to co-exist,'' said Anzalone.
In Anzalone's trapping system, a solid goalie is a must. Last year, the Express advanced to the ECHL playoffs for the second straight year thanks in large measure to the play of goalies Dave Gagnon and Daniel Berthiaume.
The fact that Express goalies tend to move up in the professional ranks - Gagnon and Berthiaume are in the International Hockey League this year - had to be a strong selling point for Anzalone when he was convincing DelGuidice to come to Roanoke.
DelGuidice can also look to Berthiaume as an example of a goalie who had fallen on hard times but rejuvenated his career in Roanoke.
Another advantage of having two goalies is the fact that if one is called up by Roanoke's IHL affiliate, the Minnesota Moose, the Express will still have one experienced guy between the pipes.
Goaltending ``can be a strength if we can get these guys to co-exist and get their games in order,'' said Anzalone.
BACK TO CAMP: Twelve players have signed tryout agreements with the Express and will be attending training camp in a higher league, including two members from last year's team - Ilya Dubkov, who will go to Minnesota's camp, and Jason Clarke, who went to camp with the Las Vegas Thunder but was cut this week.
The 12 players are on Roanoke's protected list and will be returned to Roanoke if they do not make their camp's final roster.
The 12 tryout agreements are five more than the Express received last year. The total increased because Minnesota coach Frank Serratore granted Roanoke eight spots in the Moose training camp.
``The Moose's willingness to allow us more spots is a definite asset in getting players to commit to Roanoke,'' Anzalone said.
At the moment, 27 players have signed a tryout agreement with the Express. Several players from last year - including Jeff Jestadt, Marty Schriner, John Larson and Chris Potter - are expected to attend.
Joe Hawley, who came to the Express from the Charlotte Checkers in a trade for leading scorer Oleg Yashi last season, will play in the Colonial League this year. Forward Mike Krygier and defenseman Mark Luger have retired, as has forward Darwin McClelland, who was taken by Louisiana in this summer's expansion draft.
ICE CHIPS: Former Roanoke Valley Rebel Scott Burfoot, who led the ECHL in scoring last season when he played with the Erie Panthers, has signed with the Flint (Mich.) Generals of the Colonial Hockey League. ... Chris Pollack will be the Express' trainer this season, replacing Dana McGuane, who has taken a job with the Albany RiverRats of the American Hockey League. Pollack was McGuane's assistant two years ago and he worked with the Carolina League's Salem Avalanche this summer. ... The Express has sold nearly 1,700 season tickets, approximately 280 more than it sold all of last season.
by CNB