Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 12, 1995 TAG: 9511130081
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR.
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The league even tried to use an enrollment ceiling, but that, too, gave way - just as the roof of Vinton's LancerLot collapsed under the weight of the infamous blizzard of March 1993, an event that left the Roanoke Valley without a full-time ice facility.
Nevertheless, the valley's youth leagues have more than doubled in size the past two years. About 120 youngsters were enrolled in youth leagues at the time of the LancerLot. This year, nearly 270 are playing ice hockey in the Roanoke Valley.
``We were real low-key during sign-ups this year,'' said Dick Pitman, president of the Roanoke Valley Youth Hockey Association. ``We didn't feel we could handle more than 60 new members. Well, we wound up with about 70.''
The growth of the youth league can be attributed to at least two factors - the nationwide rise in the popularity of professional hockey and the local success of the Roanoke Express.
The Express has led a hockey renaissance in the Roanoke Valley after several years of lackluster teams that played before small crowds at the LancerLot. The team also provides financial support to the youth leagues.
The Express already supports youth hockey thanks to off-ice officials and ushers, whose salaries are re-routed to the Roanoke Valley Youth Hockey Organization, accounting for nearly $10,000 last season.
Now, some of the Roanoke Valley's young players are preparing to make one of the most significant steps in the history of local youth hockey. The Roanoke Junior Express, a team of all-stars ages 15-17, has been invited to play in the Can/Am Challenge Cup in Montreal.
The Junior Express will be one of about 50 teams from the United States and Canada playing in the tournament Feb.22-25.
``It's a once-in-a-lifetime deal,'' Pitman said. ``It's a dream for these kids to get the chance to play in Canada.''
First, the team must raise approximately $25,000 to cover travel expenses, a pretty hefty sum for a non-profit league.
Players will be collecting money during Express games at the Roanoke Civic Center. The team also will be seeking corporate donations.
``We're going to have a tote board set up in the lobby of the civic center to let people know how we're doing,'' Pitman said. ``We've got to raise a lot of money, but we believe we can get there.
``Now, if we could just do something about getting another ice rink for the valley. If any of us hit the lottery, we'll build it.''
NHL ALERT: The ECHL, which for the past year has been trying to keep the American Hockey League from raiding its markets, now has a bigger league looking to invade its cities - the NHL.
The Florida Panthers were put up for sale last week, and the team could be headed for a more accommodating arena in Nashville, Tenn., or Charlotte, N.C., - cities that are homes to ECHL franchises.
Nashville, which is building a $120 million arena in hopes of attracting an NHL team, has been mentioned already as a possible NHL site. The New Jersey Devils considered moving to Nashville before signing a 12-year lease agreement that will keep them at the Meadowlands Arena.
Nashville almost seems assured of getting an NHL team in the near future. The city also is offering huge incentives to lure the NFL's Houston Oilers to Music City in 1998.
However, one fundamental question is being overlooked - do Nashville sports fans like hockey? The ECHL's Nashville Knights are averaging 4,140 warm bodies per game. To be sure, an NHL team would draw scores more fans, but 20,000 a game?
REGARDING HENRY: Ten days after being traded from Richmond to Tallahassee, center Shane Henry was waived by the Tiger Sharks on Nov.3.
Henry, who was acquired for cash and future considerations from the Renegades, had two goals and two assists in four games with Tallahassee. He was the No.2 scorer for Richmond last season.
JABLONSKI TRADED: No, not Express wing Jeff Jablonski but his twin brother, Pat, a goalie, was dealt from the NHL's St.Louis Blues to the Montreal Canadiens for defenseman J.J. Daigneault last week. Jablonski had played eight minutes behind Grant Fuhr this season after being claimed from Toronto in the waiver draft.
AROUND THE ECHL: Johnstown's Trevor Jobe went into Friday's game looking to break the ECHL's career points mark. Jobe, who owns the career goals record with 277, entered Friday's game at Wheeling tied with Phil Berger with 532 points. Berger retired from hockey this year and is coaching West Palm Beach (Fla.) in the Southern League.
by CNB