ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, May 25, 1996 TAG: 9605280094
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: HOCKEY
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR.
Jeff Jablonski's first year in Roanoke has been memorable. He came out of retirement to lead the Roanoke Express in goal-scoring last season. His wife, Kim, will give birth to the couple's first child sometime in July. He got an off-season job at a sporting goods store.
Goaltender Daniel Berthiaume is sticking around Roanoke, too. He could be playing roller hockey or packing his bags to play ice hockey in Europe. The fishing's too good in Roanoke, though.
It's almost like these guys are putting down roots.
``We're here,'' said Jablonski. ``The baby's due July 10. We're not going anywhere.''
At least not yet. Jablonski, Berthiaume and other Express players are waiting to see what effects the team's recent ownership shake-up and uncertainties about Frank Anzalone's coaching future have on the hockey operation.
``I'm behind Frank 150 percent,'' said Berthiaume. ``To be honest, I probably won't play in Roanoke if he's not the coach. I know Frank can be hard to live with, but he's not here to be Mr. Personality. He's here to win hockey games.''
Anzalone is entering the last year of his contract and is waiting to hear if he will receive an extension. If he does not receive one, there is speculation he will seek another coaching job.
Berthiaume, the 30-year-old former NHL netminder, has received offers from English and French teams, but has said he would like to end his career in Roanoke.
Jablonski, too, would like to play in Roanoke next season, but he is refraining from making a commitment until management issues are cleared up.
``I'm sure some players have some questions about what has happened,'' said Jablonski, who scored 39 goals last season. ``I'm anxious to see what's going on. I really can't project what's going to happen. I'm just waiting to see what they have in mind.''
NEW BLOOD: Former play-by-play man Tim Woodburn was one of the hardest-working team players in the Express fold, evidenced by the fact that it will take two people to replace the burly broadcaster, who was hired by the Kentucky Thoroughblades of the American Hockey League.
Woodburn did double duty as the team's radio announcer and marketing director, jobs the Express will split between two employees. The Express promoted marketing assistant Steve Troutman to the post of marketing director and should hire a radio broadcaster in about a month.
The Express also hired Tom Benizio, a recent Radford University graduate and player on the Highlanders' club team, as public relations director.
AROUND THE ECHL: While the ECHL spreads southward with new franchises in Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida, the league's headquarters are moving northward to New Jersey. The ECHL office is moving from Charlotte, N.C., to Princeton, N.J., sometime in June. The move accommodates the wishes of league president Richard Adams, who lives in New Jersey and spends much of his working time in his home. ECHL commissioner Pat Kelly is expected to remain in Charlotte and work at home or in an office there. ...
The ECHL's annual spring meeting will be held in Biloxi, Miss., starting May 28. Express vice president Joe Steffen will be attending his first meeting as Roanoke's representative, replacing former president John Gagnon who was voted out of office by minority shareholders April 19. Gagnon, incidentally, will be at the meetings representing the expansion Mississippi Sea Wolves. It was the purchase of that franchise that led to acrimony among the Express investors which resulted in Gagnon's ouster from his presidency. Gagnon still owns 50 percent of the Express. ...
Roanoke native Susan Robertson is the new media and community relations director for the Knoxville Cherokees. Robertson, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R.E. Robertson, is an East Tennessee State graduate who has worked as a public relations account executive in Knoxville and as a newspaper reporter Sevierville, Tenn.
JUNIOR EXPRESS: Two Roanoke teen-agers are skating for spots on national all-star squads. Patrick Savard, 17, will be in Lake Placid, N.Y., the week of June 15 participating in final tryouts for the U.S. Junior Olympics squad. Kevin Duddy, 16, is vying for the spot on the 16-and-under J.O. team during tryouts in St. Cloud, Minn., June 23-30. Final tryouts for that squad will be in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Savard was one of three defensemen picked from the Mid-Atlantic Region to go to Lake Placid. Duddy was one of eight defensemen picked for the 16-and-under tryouts.
A fund-raiser is under way to help Savard make his trip to New York. Anyone who would like to make a donation should call (540) 774-0979.
LENGTH: Medium: 85 linesby CNB