ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, January 11, 1997 TAG: 9701130106
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DAVE STEWART has battled back from an injury to become a scoring force and Roanoke's alternate captain.
It may be coincidence, but Dave Stewart's play on the ice has corresponded with the alterations to his uniform.
For two years, he wore the captain's `C' on his Roanoke Express jersey. The letter may as well have been a grade for the way this season began for the defenseman.
He was suspended for three games for an illegal, albeit unintentional, hit against a Knoxville player in the season's first game. Later, he was forced to sit and watch eight hockey games after he hurt his left ankle and tried to come back too soon.
While Stewart was out, veteran left wing and leading scorer Jeff Jablonski donned the `C' and has kept it. Stewart has worn the alternate captain's `A' - which is an accurate grade for his play since his return.
Stewart's solid work and steady leadership have been a boon to an Express squad that has been playing the best hockey in the East Coast Hockey League after surviving a shaky start.
Likewise, Stewart had to recover from a rough beginning.
``Obviously, this year has been harder than what I've experienced in the past,'' he said. ``Especially the injuries. I think I've come back strong. I'm not one to sit in the stands.''
That's what he had to do when he tore a ligament and strained his Achilles' tendon in November. He missed a week, tried to come back, then had to sit out again for nearly two weeks.
He went almost two months between goals before scoring his second of the season Dec. 21 against Raleigh. He's added four more in the six games since.
``Dave has played better,'' said Express coach Frank Anzalone. ``Things weren't going right early on. He knows he can play better and he knows the Express expected a lot from him.''
Stewart has continued to provide solid play and veteran leadership while uttering not a peep about no longer being the team captain.
The wearing of a `C' or an `A' may seem a trivial matter, but pride can bruise easily when a coach decides to give a `C' to another player. Some guys act as if they're Hester Prynne branded with the scarlet letter when the `C' is replaced with an `A.'
When St.Louis Blues coach Mike Keenan stripped the captaincy from star player Brett Hull, it invoked a major battle of egos that wasn't resolved until Keenan was fired last month.
Even though he's been a team captain at virtually every level of his hockey career, from juniors to the pros, don't expect any mutterings of discontent from Stewart.
``I'm not Brett Hull and Frank's not Mike Keenan,'' he said. ``There's no stipulation that I have to wear a `C'.''
Besides, who can argue with Jablonski being the captain? He's having one of the finest seasons of his professional career and was selected as Roanoke's representative in the ECHL All-Star Game. Michael Smith also wore the `C' at one point for Roanoke.
Not to mention, a player can't wear any letter on his jersey when he's sitting in the bleachers in a suit nursing a bum ankle.
``I can't wear a `C' in the stands,'' he said. ``I don't begrudge anybody from wearing a `C.' It's tough to argue when a guy's got [47] points [as Jablonski does]. Jabber and Smitty are great leaders. I can lead with an `A' or a `C.'
``There are other good leaders on this team. I feel confident the way this team's going. All that matters is to keep going and get a playoff spot.''
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: STEPHANIE KLEIN-DAVIS STAFF. Once the team's captain,by CNBDave Stewart is happy as the alternate - and with his play. He's
scored four goals in the past six games after battling back from an
ankle injury. color.