ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, August 20, 1996 TAG: 9608200048
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
ROANOKE'S ECHL CLUB will be looking to Calgary for some NHL-caliber help.
Roanoke Express officials today will announce the team will be affiliated with the NHL's Calgary Flames for the upcoming East Coast Hockey League season.
It will be the first time the Express has been affiliated with an NHL team since the San Jose Sharks and the Express severed ties in 1995 after two unfulfilling seasons.
Joe Steffen, the Express' vice president, confirmed the team had reached an affiliation agreement with another team, but declined to say who that team was.
``Let's just say this affiliation goes well beyond what we had with San Jose,'' Steffen said. ``It's going to be a major announcement.''
A source close to the club said Frank Anzalone, the Express' head coach and director of hockey operations, had worked out a one-year agreement with the Flames. The source said the Express could receive as many as four players from Calgary's American Hockey League affiliate, the Saint John (New Brunswick) Flames.
``We believe this will really, really help our club,'' Steffen said of the affiliation.
One of the Express' priorities this off-season was to secure an affiliation that could provide the team with players. The team was affiliated with San Jose from 1993-95 and with the Minnesota Moose of the International Hockey League from 1994-96.
The Express considered staying involved with the Moose after that club relocated to Winnipeg to become the Manitoba Moose this spring. The team also had sought to affiliate itself with the AHL's Hershey (Pa.) Bears.
No player signings are expected to be announced at today's news conference, but a source said three players have signed contracts to play with the Express. Two-time ECHL All-Star defenseman Michael Smith and fellow blue-liners Duane Harmer and Tim Hanley have re-signed with Roanoke.
Other announcements expected today include an update on season-ticket sales and the release of the regular-season schedule.
The Express has scheduled a season-ticket sales drive 6 p.m. Thursday at the Roanoke Civic Center. Fans who attend the event will be able to pick their seats and purchase Express merchandise.
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