ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 8, 1997 hockey TAG: 9701080031
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: EXPRESS NOTES
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
Jeff Jablonski thought he was too old to be an all-star.
Even though he was scoring goals at a rate unparalleled in his seven years as a professional hockey player, the 29-year-old Roanoke Express left wing admitted surprise when he was picked to play in the East Coast Hockey League All-Star Game on Jan.21 in Charlotte, N.C.
``No, I wasn't expecting it,'' Jablonski said of Tuesday's announcement. ``I wasn't thinking much about it. I thought one of the younger players might get it. It's a great honor to be picked.''
Jablonski has a team-leading 22 goals in 34 games for the Express, which has won eight of its past nine games.
He was one of 22 players picked for a team that will play the defending ECHL champion Charlotte Checkers. One player was selected from every ECHL team other than Charlotte.
This is the first time the ECHL has used this all-star format. The league hopes attendance will improve from years past by pitting the host team against the rest of the league.
In previous years, two all-star teams met at a predetermined site. With one squad picked this year, Jablonski believes some deserving players aren't getting the chance to put ``ECHL All-Star'' on their resume.
``A lot of guys are being left out,'' Jablonski said. ``When you limit it [to 22 players], some good guys are staying home.''
ALL-STAR NOTES: Roger Neilson, associate assistant coach of the NHL's St.Louis Blues, will guide the all-stars. Neilson compiled a 381-326-132 record as a head coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers.
South Carolina Stingrays coach Rick Vaive will be Neilson's assistant. ``It's great to be heading to an all-star game,'' said Vaive, a three-time NHL All-Star. ``This is my first as a coach, and I'm very honored and excited.''
LODER MAY RETURN: Rookie center Jeff Loder, who was Roanoke's second-leading scorer when he was called up by the International Hockey League's Manitoba Moose two weeks ago, could be returning to the Express, coach Frank Anzalone said.
``It could be tomorrow, it could be a month,'' Anzalone said. ``I think [the Moose] would like to see him come back at some point and work on the things he accomplished. I haven't been told when or if that's going to happen, but that's the game plan, to see him go back to school here and be ready to have a good year for them next year.''
FULL ROSTER: For the first time in several weeks, the Express is back up to 20 players on its roster, meaning there will be competition for ice time.
``It'll be trying times for players who are in and out of the lineup,'' Anzalone said. ``All I can do is be honest with them and have them be honest with me. There is a depth chart, but it's up to the players to pick [who's going to be on] it. Two weeks from now, we could have call-ups and injuries, so the greatest goal is to win as many as we can while we have the people.''
STRACHAN IS STRONG: Anzalone is happy with newcomer Wayne Strachan, who was assigned to Roanoke from Manitoba this past week. Strachan, a legitimate IHL-caliber player, scored two goals in Roanoke's 7-6 victory over Knoxville on Friday.
``Wayne could be a great addition to us for however long he's here,'' Anzalone said. ``He's a winner, he's intense and he wants to play in the IHL. He's listening while he's here and wants to do well.''
ICE CHIPS: Express center Ilya Dubkov extended his scoring streak to 13 games during the weekend. He scored seven points in three games this past week and has 28 points during his scoring streak. His next goal will be the 90th in his four seasons with the Express, tying him with Jeff Jestadt for most goals in Express history. Dave Gagnon's 18 victories tie him with Jeff Salajko of Columbus for the league lead.
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Jablonskiby CNB