ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, October 13, 1996 TAG: 9610150017
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR.
Wheeling Nailers
Last season: 42-23-5, second in North.
Coach: Tom McVie.
NHL affiliations: Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers.
Players to watch: LW John Varga, D Chad Dameworth, F John Blessman.
Outlook: Varga could develop into one of the league's top players. McVie, a former NHL coach, should help the Nailers make a run at the league title.
Toledo Storm
Last season: 48-14-8, first in North.
Coach: Greg Puhalski.
NHL affiliation: Detroit Red Wings.
Players to watch: C Rick Judson, G David Goverde, F Dennis Purdie.
Outlook: The Storm held the core of its division-winning team together. With Goverde still between the pipes, Toledo should be one of the teams to beat.
Peoria Rivermen
Last season: First year.
Coach: Mark Reeds.
NHL affiliation: TBA.
Players to watch: F Doug Evans, G John Hildebrand, LW Kevin Lune.
Outlook: The Rivermen are a mystery team after spending the past 15 years in the International Hockey League. Peoria will bring a couple of players from the IHL franchise and should put a quality team on the ice.
Dayton Bombers
Last season: 35-28-7, fifth in North.
Coach: Mark Kumpel.
NHL affiliation: Dallas Stars.
Players to watch: C Colin Miller, D Jason Downey, G Derek Herlofsky.
Outlook: The Bombers have a physical, experienced team that should finish among the top four in the North.
Louisville Riverfrogs
Last season: 39-24-7, third in North.
Coach: Warren Young.
NHL affiliations: San Jose Sharks, New York Islanders.
Players to watch: RW Sheldon Gorski, RW Chris Rowland.
Outlook: For a second-year team, the Riverfrogs could be competitive in the tough North Division. They should get ample help from their two affiliations.
Columbus Chill
Last season: 37-28-5, fourth in North
Coach: Brian McCutcheon.
NHL affiliation: Chicago Blackhawks.
Players to watch: F Matt Oates, F Keith Morris, LW Dave Hymovitz.
Outlook: After slipping in the standings last season, the Chill has undergone some major changes, including hiring McCutcheon from Cornell University, but may not finish in the upper division.
Johnstown Chiefs
Last season: 21-38-11, seventh in North.
Coach: Nick Fotiu.
NHL affiliation: Pittsburgh Penguins.
Players to watch: G Olie Sundstrom, C Ryan Petz, D Martin Woods.
Outlook: After finishing near the bottom of the North Division, the Chiefs have gone with a youth movement.
Huntington Blizzard
Last season: 21-39-10, eighth in North.
Coach: Grant Sonier.
NHL affiliation: None.
Players to watch: RW Andrei Bashkirov, C Jim Bermingham, LW Martin Mercier.
Outlook: The Blizzard has been the doormat of the division for a couple of years. That probably won't change this season.
LENGTH: Medium: 80 linesby CNB