ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, October 13, 1996 TAG: 9610150016
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR.
Tallahassee Tiger Sharks
Last season: 42-22-6, third in South.
Coach: Terry Christensen.
NHL affiliation: Florida Panthers.
Players to watch: G Mark Richards, C Greg Geldart, F Cal Ingraham.
Outlook: After a slow start last season, the Tiger Sharks came on strong and advanced to the semifinals of the Riley Cup playoffs for the second consecutive year. This could be the season they take the next step.
Pensacola Ice Pilots
Last season: (formerly Nashville Knights) 42-22-6, second in South.
Coach: Al Pederson.
NHL affiliation: None.
Players to watch: F Kevin McKinnon, F Chad Quenneville, F Randy Murphy.
Outlook: These are the old Nashville Knights, who finished second in the South last season. On paper, the Ice Pilots should continue the high-scoring ways of that club.
Louisiana Ice Gators
Last season: 43-21-6, first in South.
Coach: Doug Shedden.
NHL affiliation: None.
Players to watch: C John DePourcq, D Rob McCaig, D Chris Valicevic.
Outlook: The Ice Gators won the South Division and led the league in attendance in their first season. With a rugged defense and 10,000 screaming fans, they'll contend again in the ``Interstate 10 Division.''
Birmingham Bulls
Last season: 26-39-5, sixth in South.
Coach: Dennis Desrosiers.
NHL affiliation: TBA.
Players to watch: LW Mike Latendresse, C Jamey Hicks, RW Jason Clarke.
Outlook: The Bulls will be physical - what elwe would you expect from a team with former Express tough guy Clarke? - and if they improve defensively, they'll contend in the South.
Jacksonville Lizard Kings
Last season: 37-29-4, fourth in South.
Coach: Mike LaZazzera.
NHL affiliation: None.
Players to watch: F Rick Bennett, F Kurt Mallett, G Brian Renfrew.
Outlook: Longtime Roanoke scourge Jeff Brubaker has moved on to coach San Antonio in the International Hockey League, but it's the Lizard Kings who will miss him most. After making it to the Riley Cup finals last year, Jacksonville still will be tough defensively and should get solid goaltending.
Baton Rouge Kingfish
Last season: (formerly Erie Panthers) 25-40-5, sixth in North.
Coach: Pierre McGuire.
NHL affiliation: St. Louis Blues.
Players to watch: F Cam Brown, F Stephane Charbonneau, F Don Parsons.
Outlook: The Panthers struggled in one of the ECHL's smallest markets. With new players and better support, the Kingfish may do well in the run-and-gun South Division.
Mississippi Sea Wolves
Last season: First year.
Coach: Bruce Boudreau.
NHL affiliations: Los Angeles Kings, Phoenix Coyotes.
Players to watch: LW Troy Mann, C Dan Gravelle, C Jeff Rohlicek.
Outlook: First-year squads have fared pretty well in the ECHL (example: Jacksonville last season). The Sea Wolves will be speedy, but perhaps not speedy enough to get this franchise off to a fast start.
Mobile Mysticks
Last season: 22-37-11, seventh in South.
Coach: Eddie Johnstone.
NHL affiliation: TBA.
Players to watch: D Dave Craievich, LW Patrice Paquin, LW Jason Elders.
Outlook: The Mysticks had 14 first-year players last season. They're still not seasoned enough to compete for the South title.
LENGTH: Medium: 84 linesby CNB